Released Inmates in Clare County
Clare County released inmates records are kept by the Clare County Sheriff's Office in Harrison. Located in central Michigan, this rural county operates a small jail that processes bookings from across the area. You can look up released inmates from Clare County by calling the sheriff office or using statewide search tools. OTIS handles state prison records while the sheriff office manages local jail data. VINE alerts are available too, letting you track when someone gets released from the Clare County Jail. The sheriff staff can confirm custody status during business hours if you call with the person's name.
Clare County Overview
Clare County Sheriff Office and Jail
The Clare County Sheriff's Office runs the jail in Harrison. The facility has about 75 beds and serves the entire county. Clare is a rural area in central Michigan, and the sheriff department handles most law enforcement outside the small cities and villages. The jail processes bookings from the sheriff department and from Clare City Police and other local agencies.
The sheriff office is at 225 W. Main Street in Harrison. Reach them by phone at (989) 539-7166. Staff can check on an inmate's status when you call. They will tell you if someone is in custody, if they bonded out, or when they were released. For official copies of booking or release records, a written request is needed. Clare County does not have an online jail roster. Calling or visiting the office in person are the ways to get quick answers about released inmates.
| Office | Clare County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 225 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625 |
| Phone | (989) 539-7166 |
| County Seat | Harrison |
Note: Clare County is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, and the sheriff office may see seasonal spikes in bookings during summer and hunting seasons.
Search Clare County Released Inmates Records
You can search for released inmates from Clare County through several channels. Your best bet depends on whether the person was held at the county jail or sent to state prison.
For county jail records, call the Clare County Sheriff's Office at (989) 539-7166. Give them the person's name and any details you have. They can look it up while you are on the phone. If the person was released, they will tell you the date. For a formal copy, submit a FOIA request in writing. Include the full name, date of birth, and the date range. Mail it to 225 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625, or bring it to the office.
State prison records are available through OTIS, the Michigan Department of Corrections offender tracking system. OTIS is free. Search by name or MDOC number. It shows current inmates, parolees, and anyone discharged from state prison in the last three years. If someone was convicted in Clare County and sent to a state facility, OTIS has their information.
You can also use VINELink to look up inmates held in Clare County. Search by name and check their custody status. VINE lets you register for alerts too. You get a call, email, or text when the person is released or transferred. This works for county jails and state prisons throughout Michigan.
The MDOC homepage above is your gateway to OTIS and other state-level resources for looking up released inmates from Clare County and the rest of Michigan.
Clare County FOIA for Inmate Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 covers your right to request records from the Clare County Sheriff's Office. You can ask for booking logs, release records, and other jail documentation. Write up your request with your name, contact information, and a clear description of the records you want. The more specific you are, the faster they can respond.
The response deadline is five business days. A ten-day extension is possible for complex requests. Copies cost about $0.10 per page. Labor fees may apply for searches that take significant staff time, based on the pay rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the task. Mail your FOIA request to 225 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625.
Under MCL 791.230a, medical records and certain personal details about inmates are exempt from public disclosure. Basic information like charges, booking dates, and release dates for Clare County released inmates is considered public record and available through FOIA.
State Tools for Clare County Released Inmates
Beyond the local sheriff office, several state tools help you research released inmates from Clare County. The ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police offers criminal history checks for $10 each. Under MCL 28.243, the state police maintain criminal history records that include arrests, charges, and convictions from all Michigan jurisdictions. ICHAT gives a fuller picture than OTIS because it covers criminal history, not just prison records.
Court records from Clare County can be looked up through MiCOURT. Search by party name or case number. This shows what happened in court after an arrest. You can see charges, hearing dates, plea deals, and sentencing. Not every case is online, but coverage keeps growing as more courts upload their data.
The Michigan State Archives holds old prison records going back to 1839. For historical released inmates data from Clare County, contact the archives at (517) 373-1408 or visit at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing. Under the Corrections Code at MCL 791.201, the state manages these records as part of its historical record-keeping duties.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry lists offenders who must register under MCL 28.721. Search by name, county, or zip code. It is free. If a released inmate from the Clare County area is a registered sex offender, they will show up in this database.
Nearby Counties
Clare County is surrounded by these central Michigan counties. Check with them if you are not sure where an arrest took place.