Sullivan County Public Records /Sullivan County Inmate Search

Sullivan County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Sullivan County?

Inmate records in Sullivan County are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the court system maintains case files, dockets, and judicial orders, the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the Sullivan County Jail. At that point, facility staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and photograph the individual. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes (where permitted), and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to applicable public access laws.

Under New York Public Officers Law § 87, government agencies — including correctional facilities — are required to maintain records and make them available to the public unless a specific exemption applies. New York Correction Law further governs the administration of county jails and the records generated within them, establishing the legal framework under which Sullivan County operates its detention facilities.

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office 58 Old Route 17 Monticello, NY 12701 (845) 794-7100 Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Sullivan County?

Inmate records in Sullivan County are generally considered public records under New York State law. Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 84, the legislature declared that government records shall be available to the public, and that this right of access is a fundamental principle of democratic governance. The law establishes a presumption of openness: records are public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Sullivan County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
Charges filed — criminal charges for which the individual is being held
Mugshots — booking photographs, subject to agency policy
Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by the court for pretrial release
Expected release dates — where available and not restricted for safety reasons
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is held

Certain information within inmate records may be withheld if disclosure would endanger the safety of the individual, staff, or the public, or if the information is otherwise protected under state or federal law. Medical records, mental health evaluations, and juvenile records are among the categories typically exempt from public disclosure.

What's Included In Inmate Records in Sullivan County

Inmate records maintained by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and Jail contain a comprehensive set of data fields organized by category. The following breakdown reflects the standard components of a custody record:

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Identifying marks, scars, or tattoos
Booking photograph (mugshot)

Custody Information:

Date and time of arrest and booking
Arresting agency
Current housing assignment and facility location
Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, held for another jurisdiction)

Charge Information:

All criminal charges for which the individual is held
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
Statute cited for each charge

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set by the court
Bond type (cash, surety, recognizance)
Current bond status

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Presiding court and case number
Prior court appearances during current incarceration

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length imposed by the court
Sentence start date
Projected release date based on sentence
Good-time or merit-time credits applied

Release Information:

Actual release date
Release type (completion of sentence, bail posted, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release, if applicable

Sullivan County Prison System

Sullivan County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals at various stages of the criminal justice process. The county jail serves as the primary detention facility for individuals awaiting arraignment, pretrial detainees who have not posted bail, individuals serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or lower-level felony convictions, and individuals held on behalf of other jurisdictions pending transfer.

It is important to distinguish between a county jail and a state prison. County jails, such as the Sullivan County Jail, are administered by the county Sheriff and typically house individuals for shorter periods. State prisons, administered by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), house individuals convicted of felonies and sentenced to terms exceeding one year. Individuals sentenced to state prison are transferred out of county custody and into the state correctional system.

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office & Jail 58 Old Route 17 Monticello, NY 12701 (845) 794-7100 Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

Types of Correctional Facilities In Sullivan County

Sullivan County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:

Sullivan County Jail 58 Old Route 17 Monticello, NY 12701 (845) 794-7100 Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

The Sullivan County Jail is a county-operated detention facility under the jurisdiction of the Sullivan County Sheriff. The facility houses pretrial detainees, individuals serving short-term sentences, and individuals held on immigration detainers or interstate holds. The jail is subject to oversight by the New York State Commission of Correction, which sets minimum standards for the operation of local correctional facilities pursuant to New York Correction Law § 45. Individuals who are sentenced to terms exceeding one year are transferred to a New York State DOCCS facility.

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) The Harriman State Campus, Building 2 1220 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12226 (518) 457-8126 New York State DOCCS

Who's in Prison In Sullivan County

The Sullivan County Jail houses a population that reflects the full range of pretrial and sentenced individuals processed through the local criminal justice system. At present, the following categories of individuals may be held in the Sullivan County Jail:

Pretrial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they have not posted bail or have been remanded by the court
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
Sentenced felons (short-term) — individuals convicted of certain lower-level felonies and sentenced to terms that may be served locally
Parole and probation violators — individuals held pending a hearing on an alleged violation of the terms of their supervision
Federal and interstate holds — individuals held on behalf of federal agencies or other states pending transfer
Immigration detainees — individuals held pursuant to a detainer issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), subject to applicable agreements

The composition of the jail population changes daily as individuals are booked, released, transferred, or sentenced.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Sullivan County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Sullivan County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Online Search:

Visit the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office website to access any available online inmate roster or lookup tool.
Use the New York State DOCCS incarcerated individual lookup tool to search for individuals who have been transferred to state custody. Searches may be conducted using last name alone, last name combined with birth year, or a DIN (Department Identification Number) or NYSID number.
Access the New York State Commission of Correction's incarcerated individual locators to search county jail populations across New York State.
Use the NY.gov inmate locator for real-time information on current and certain former inmates held in state correctional facilities.

In-Person Request:

Members of the public may appear in person at the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, located at 58 Old Route 17, Monticello, NY 12701, during regular business hours.
Requestors should provide the full legal name of the individual and, if known, the date of birth or booking number to facilitate the search.
Requests for copies of records may be subject to a per-page fee pursuant to New York Public Officers Law.

Written FOIL Request:

A formal Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request may be submitted in writing to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office Records Division.
The request should identify the records sought with reasonable specificity, including the name of the individual and the approximate date of custody.
Agencies are required to acknowledge receipt of a FOIL request within five business days and respond within twenty business days under New York Public Officers Law § 89.

How To Find an Inmate in Sullivan County for Free?

Members of the public may locate an inmate in Sullivan County at no cost through the following official resources:

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office — The Sheriff's Office may provide current custody status information by telephone or in person at no charge. Members of the public may call (845) 794-7100 or visit the office at 58 Old Route 17, Monticello, NY 12701.
DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup — The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision provides a free incarcerated lookup tool for individuals held in state facilities. The search requires only a last name or a DIN/NYSID number.
NY State Commission of Correction — The Commission maintains free incarcerated individual locators covering county jails, New York City jails, and state prisons.
NY.gov Inmate Locator — The official New York State portal allows the public to find an incarcerated individual at a correctional facility using publicly available data at no cost.

No registration, account creation, or payment is required to use any of the above official state or county tools.

How To Visit an Inmate In Sullivan County

Visitation at the Sullivan County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Sheriff's Office and minimum standards set by the New York State Commission of Correction. Members of the public who wish to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable procedures.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Inmates are responsible for submitting visitor requests to facility staff for approval.
Visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit.
All visitors are subject to search upon entry, including metal detector screening.

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the Sullivan County Jail administration and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (845) 794-7100 to confirm current visiting hours before traveling to the facility.

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Any required documentation for professional visits (attorneys, clergy, medical personnel)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons of any kind
Controlled substances or alcohol
Cell phones or electronic devices (unless specifically authorized)
Food, beverages, or packages not approved through official channels
Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted by facility policy

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms (typically orange or green) is prohibited. Revealing clothing, clothing with offensive graphics, and clothing associated with gang affiliation are not permitted.

Visit Types:

In-person contact visits — where permitted by the facility and the inmate's classification
Non-contact visits — conducted through a partition with telephone communication
Video visitation — remote visits conducted via approved video platforms, subject to facility availability

Visit Restrictions:

Individuals with active warrants, individuals on probation or parole, and individuals with certain criminal histories may be denied visitation.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must be listed on the approved visitor list.
Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked as a disciplinary measure.

How To Send Money to a Sullivan County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account through methods authorized by the Sullivan County Jail. These funds allow incarcerated individuals to purchase approved items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time from the jail commissary.

Accepted Methods:

Online deposits — Members of the public may deposit funds through an approved third-party service designated by the Sullivan County Jail. The facility's current approved vendor should be confirmed by contacting the jail directly at (845) 794-7100.
Money orders — Payable to the inmate by full legal name and booking number, mailed to the Sullivan County Jail at 58 Old Route 17, Monticello, NY 12701.
In-person kiosk — Where available at the facility, funds may be deposited via a lobby kiosk using cash or a debit/credit card.

Amount Limits:

Deposit limits per transaction or per week are set by facility policy and are subject to change. Members of the public should verify current limits with the jail administration.

Fees:

Third-party deposit services typically charge a transaction fee. The fee amount varies by provider and deposit method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted and will not be credited to the inmate's account.
Personal checks are generally not accepted.
Gift cards or prepaid cards are not accepted.

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Funds may be used to purchase commissary items, pay for phone calls, and access approved electronic services.
Funds may not be used to pay fines, court fees, or restitution directly from the commissary account unless specifically authorized by court order.

How To Send Jail Mail In Sullivan County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates at the Sullivan County Jail by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable law.

Mailing Address: All mail should be addressed as follows: Inmate Full Legal Name, Booking Number (if known) Sullivan County Jail 58 Old Route 17 Monticello, NY 12701

Rules for Sending Mail:

All letters must be written on plain white paper. Colored paper, glitter, stickers, and similar embellishments are typically prohibited.
Envelopes must be standard white envelopes with no padding, lining, or unusual materials.
The sender's full name and return address must appear on the envelope. Anonymous mail will not be delivered.
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions established by the facility. Polaroid photographs and photographs with explicit content are generally prohibited.
Books and magazines, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual.
All mail is subject to reading and inspection by facility staff. Privileged legal mail from an attorney of record is handled under separate procedures to protect attorney-client confidentiality.
Mail containing contraband, coded language, threats, or content that poses a security risk will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.

Members of the public should contact the Sullivan County Jail at (845) 794-7100 to confirm current mail policies before sending correspondence, as rules are subject to revision by facility administration.