Cass County Released Inmates Database
Cass County released inmates records are handled by the Cass County Sheriff's Office in Cassopolis. Located in the southwestern corner of Michigan near the Indiana border, this county runs a small to mid-size jail. You can search for people who have been released from the Cass County Jail by calling the sheriff office or using statewide tools like OTIS and VINELink. For state prison records connected to Cass County cases, the Michigan Department of Corrections database has what you need. The sheriff office staff can confirm custody status over the phone during business hours.
Cass County Overview
Cass County Sheriff Office and Inmate Info
The Cass County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail in Cassopolis. The facility has roughly 100 beds and processes inmates from arrests made across the county. Dowagiac and the smaller villages send their arrests through this jail as well. The sheriff department covers a lot of rural area, so the jail population tends to be lower than larger Michigan counties.
You can reach the Cass County Sheriff's Office at (269) 445-1560. The office is at 321 M-62 North in Cassopolis. Jail staff can answer basic questions about whether someone is still locked up or if they have been released. They handle these calls throughout the day. For written records of bookings and releases, you will need to submit a formal request. The county does not post an online jail roster. Phone calls and in-person visits are your main options for getting quick answers on released inmates from Cass County.
| Office | Cass County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 321 M-62 North, Cassopolis, MI 49031 |
| Phone | (269) 445-1560 |
| County Seat | Cassopolis |
Search for Cass County Released Inmates
There are a few paths to look up released inmates tied to Cass County. Which one works best depends on where the person was held and what kind of records you need.
Start with the sheriff office for county jail records. Call (269) 445-1560 and give them the person's name. They can check their system right then. If the person was released, they can usually tell you the date. For a paper copy, submit a FOIA request in writing. Include the name, any identifying details like date of birth, and the dates you are interested in. Mail it or bring it to the office at 321 M-62 North in Cassopolis.
For state prison records, OTIS is the tool to use. It tracks current inmates, parolees, and people discharged from Michigan state prisons in the last three years. The search is free. Type in a name or MDOC number and the system pulls up the results. If someone from Cass County got sent to state prison, OTIS tells you their current status and release info.
VINELink gives you a third option. Search by name to find anyone in Cass County custody. You can also set up alerts so you get notified when an inmate is released or transferred. VINE sends notifications by phone, email, or text. It covers both county jail and state prison facilities.
Use the OTIS search page shown above to look up anyone who served time in a Michigan state prison, including those convicted in Cass County.
Note: Cass County borders Indiana, so if you cannot find someone in Michigan systems, check Indiana's inmate lookup tools as the arrest may have been across state lines.
Cass County Released Inmates FOIA Process
Michigan's FOIA law under MCL 15.231 covers your right to get jail records from the Cass County Sheriff's Office. Booking logs, release records, and other custody documents are all available through this process. Put your request in writing with your name, contact info, and what records you want.
The office has five business days to get back to you. They can take up to ten more days if the request is complicated. Copies run about $0.10 per page, and labor fees may apply for time-intensive searches. The labor rate is based on the pay of the lowest-paid person who can do the work. You can submit by mail to 321 M-62 North, Cassopolis, MI 49031, by fax, or by hand.
Under MCL 791.230a, certain records are exempt. Medical information and some personal details about inmates stay private. But the basic facts about a booking and release are public. That includes the charge, the date they came in, and the date they got out. Most FOIA requests for Cass County released inmates go through smoothly.
State Tools for Cass County Inmate Research
The Michigan Department of Corrections oversees all state prison operations. Under the Corrections Code at MCL 791.201, MDOC handles inmate records from sentencing through release and parole. If someone from Cass County ended up in state prison, MDOC has their complete record. OTIS is the public-facing search tool for that data.
ICHAT from the Michigan State Police provides criminal history checks for $10. It pulls arrest records, court dispositions, and convictions from across the state. This is broader than OTIS. Under MCL 28.243, the state police maintain these records and make them available to the public. ICHAT works well if you want to see the full criminal background of a released inmate from Cass County, not just their prison record.
Court records are available through MiCOURT. Search by name or case number to find court filings from Cass County. This shows charges, hearings, and case outcomes. It connects the arrest to what happened in court.
The Michigan State Archives shown above holds historical prison records dating back to 1839. Contact them at (517) 373-1408 for old records from Cass County.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry lists offenders who must register under MCL 28.721. You can search by county or zip code to see if any released inmates in the Cass County area are registered sex offenders.
Nearby Counties
Cass County is bordered by these Michigan counties. Check with these sheriff offices if you are not sure where an arrest was handled.