Winona County Jail Mugshots

Winona County jail mugshots and inmate booking records are maintained by the Winona County Sheriff's Office in Winona, Minnesota. This southeastern Minnesota county sits along the Mississippi River and is home to the city of Winona. The Sheriff's Office operates the county jail around the clock and uses the VINE system for inmate searches. This page covers how to look up Winona County jail inmates, how to request booking photos, and what state laws give you access to these records.

Winona County Sheriff's Office and Jail

The Winona County Jail is at 203 West 3rd St., Winona, MN 55987. Jail phone is (507) 457-6503. The Sheriff's Office is one door over at 201 W Third Street, Winona, MN 55987. Sheriff's main line is (507) 457-6368. Fax is (507) 457-6495. Jail Administrator Steven Buswell can be reached at sbuswell@co.winona.mn.us for records and jail inquiries. The lobby at the Sheriff's Office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Sheriff's Office itself operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergency calls, arrests, and custody matters.

The department also has a Civil Division, which can be reached at (507) 457-6358, and a Gun Permit Division. Winona Area Crime Stoppers operates a tip line at (507) 457-6530, which is separate from jail and booking records. For county court records and civil case details, contact the Civil Division. The main Sheriff's page at co.winona.mn.us/307/Sheriff provides an overview of all divisions and services.

The county portal at co.winona.mn.us links to all county departments. The staff directory at winonacounty.gov/Directory.aspx?did=46 lists all Sheriff's Office personnel.

Winona County Inmate Search and Jail Mugshots

Winona County uses the VINE inmate locator as the primary online search tool for jail inmates. VINE covers Winona County and most other Minnesota county jails. You can search by name or offender ID without creating an account. The system provides real-time custody status, the inmate's current facility, and the option to sign up for automated notifications when that person's status changes. This is free to use and updates in real time as the jail books and releases individuals.

The county website has limited online roster information, so VINE is the most reliable first step for online searches. For a more complete picture, call the jail directly at (507) 457-6503. Staff can confirm current custody status and provide details on holds and charges. Inmate visitation and mailing procedures are also available from the jail office. Mugshots do not appear through the VINE system but can be requested separately from the Sheriff's Office.

If someone may have been transferred to a state prison, use the Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator to check their state facility assignment. For court case searches, the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access system covers Winona County case filings.

Requesting Winona County Jail Mugshots

Booking photos from the Winona County Jail are public data under Minnesota Statute 13.82. That statute classifies arrest data as public. The definition covers names, booking dates and times, charges, and in most cases booking photographs. You have the right to request these records without providing a reason.

To request a Winona County mugshot, contact Jail Administrator Steven Buswell at sbuswell@co.winona.mn.us or call the jail at (507) 457-6503. You can also write to 203 West 3rd St., Winona, MN 55987. The county is required by Minnesota Statute 13.03 to respond to written data requests within 10 business days. Standard copying fees may apply for reproduced records. In-person requests can be made at the jail lobby during business hours, Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

If you have trouble getting a response, the Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Division handles questions and complaints about the Government Data Practices Act. That office can advise you on your rights and escalation options if needed.

Minnesota Law and Winona County Jail Records

Winona County follows the same legal structure as all Minnesota counties for jail records access. The main statute is Minnesota Statute 13.82, which designates arrest data as public. This includes the name of the arrested person, time and date of arrest, charges, and booking photographs in most cases. The statute applies to all county jails in the state, including Winona County.

Minnesota Statute 641.05 requires sheriffs to keep a jail register documenting every person committed to custody. That register is a public record. Minnesota Statute 641.08 further defines public access rights for county jail data. Sentenced offender data falls under Minnesota Statute 13.85, which separately governs what is public versus private within the correctional system.

Background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are available at chs.state.mn.us for $8 per search. This covers statewide criminal history and is separate from jail mugshot records.

Winona County Resources - Screenshots

The screenshots below show official resources for Winona County jail and inmate searches, captured from county and state websites.

The Winona County Sheriff's Office page at co.winona.mn.us/307/Sheriff provides division contacts, links to staff directories, and information on the jail and civil divisions.

Visit co.winona.mn.us for the full county portal with access to all departments including the Sheriff's Office and jail.

The VINE system is shown below. It is the primary online inmate search tool for Winona County, providing real-time custody status and notification options for interested parties.

Use vinelink.com to search Winona County inmates by name or ID and set up custody status alerts at no charge.

Nearby Counties

Search jail mugshot records in counties near Winona County.