Mason County Released Inmates
Mason County released inmates records are maintained by the Mason County Sheriff's Office in Ludington. This western Michigan county along the Lake Michigan shoreline has about 29,000 residents and a jail that holds roughly 55 inmates. The sheriff office handles all bookings and releases for the county. If you want to look up someone who was held at the Mason County Jail, a phone call to the sheriff is the quickest route. For state prison records, the OTIS tool from MDOC can help you search by name or offender number to find released inmates tied to Mason County cases.
Mason County Overview
Mason County Sheriff's Office and Jail
The Mason County Sheriff's Office operates out of Ludington and runs the county jail. The facility holds about 55 people. It processes arrests from the sheriff's deputies, Ludington Police Department, Scottville Police, and Michigan State Police troopers working in the area. All bookings for Mason County go through this one facility.
Contact the office at (231) 843-3475. It sits at 302 North Lavinia Street in Ludington. During normal business hours, jail staff can check the status of anyone who has been booked. They will tell you if the person is still in custody or has been released. If you need a formal copy of the record, that requires a written FOIA request. Walk-ins are welcome at the front counter during weekday hours.
Mason County does not post an online jail roster. This is common for smaller Michigan counties. Phone and in-person visits are the standard ways to get information about released inmates from the Mason County Jail.
| Office | Mason County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 302 N. Lavinia Street, Ludington, MI 49431 |
| Phone | (231) 843-3475 |
| County Seat | Ludington |
Look Up Mason County Released Inmates
The first step is to call the Mason County Sheriff's Office. Give them a name and they can check the booking system. This is the fastest way to find out if someone is in custody or has been let go. You do not need to file paperwork for a basic status check over the phone.
If you want a copy of the booking record or release paperwork, you need to submit a FOIA request in writing. Describe what records you are after and include the inmate's name plus any dates you know. Send it by mail to the sheriff office in Ludington, or drop it off in person. The office should get back to you within five business days. Fees are usually minimal for a single record request.
The OTIS system is your best bet for state prison lookups. Anyone sentenced to MDOC custody from Mason County will be in the database. OTIS is free and lets you search by name, MDOC number, or offense category. It covers current inmates, parolees, and people discharged within the past three years.
Try VINELink if you need real-time alerts. You can register for notifications tied to a specific inmate in Mason County. When their custody status changes, you get a call, text, or email. VINE covers every county in Michigan.
VINELink, shown above, allows you to track custody status and sign up for release alerts for inmates held in Mason County and across Michigan.
Note: OTIS only retains records for three years after an offender completes their MDOC supervision period.
Mason County FOIA for Inmate Records
Under MCL 15.231, you can request public records from the Mason County Sheriff's Office through the Freedom of Information Act. This covers booking logs, release records, incident reports, and related documents. Your request needs to be in writing with a clear description of what you want.
Copy fees are typically $0.10 per page. Labor costs may apply if the staff has to spend time searching for records. The rate is based on the lowest paid worker who can do the job. Response time is five business days with a possible ten-day extension. If the office denies your request, you can appeal that decision through the circuit court system.
Not all records are public. MCL 791.230a keeps medical and certain personal inmate data confidential. Basic booking information like the charge, dates of custody, and release details are generally available. Mugshots may or may not be on file in digital format depending on the facility's setup.
State Tools for Mason County Released Inmates
The Michigan Department of Corrections oversees all state prisons and parole operations. If an offender from Mason County ended up in state prison, their record is in the MDOC system. OTIS is the public-facing search tool. You can also contact MDOC's FOIA office directly at MDOC-OLAFOIA@michigan.gov for records that go beyond what OTIS shows.
ICHAT from the Michigan State Police gives you a criminal history check for $10. It covers the whole state and includes arrests and convictions, not just prison time. This is a good option when you want to see if someone from Mason County has a broader record beyond what shows up in OTIS. You pay online and results come back fast.
For court records, MiCOURT lets you search by party name or case number. This can connect an arrest in Mason County to a specific court ruling. The Michigan State Archives holds prison records from 1839 to 1987 if you need historical data. And the Sex Offender Registry under MCL 28.721 tracks registered offenders in the Mason County area and statewide.
Nearby Counties
Mason County shares borders with these counties. If you are not certain where a person was booked, try reaching out to these offices as well.