To find inmate records in Clay County, Minnesota, you have both online and offline options. For online searches, start with the Clay County Sheriff's Office website, which may provide jail roster updates or links to Minnesota’s statewide inmate lookup tools such as the Department of Corrections Offender Locator. If specific records are not available online, you can contact the Clay County Correctional Facility directly; it is located at 915 9th Ave N, Moorhead, MN 56560, and reachable by phone at (218) 299-5163. For in-person requests, visit the Sheriff’s Office or Correctional Facility during regular business hours to request inmate information—be prepared to provide the inmate’s full name and date of birth. You may also access public records through the Clay County Court Administration (807 N. 11th Street, Moorhead, MN) for court case information linked to inmates. Fees or identification may be required for some requests, so call ahead or check the official Clay County website for further details and the latest procedures.

How to Find an Inmate in Clay County, MN

Inmate records for Clay County, MN, are accessible online, but the search tool you use will depend on whether the person is held in the Clay County Jail, a Minnesota state prison, or a federal facility. Use the following resources to locate individuals based on their custody status.

Search ToolRecords AvailableAccess MethodKey Details
Clay Jail / Sheriff or Police Dept.Individuals held in Clay County JailOnline roster, phone, in-personClay County Jail Roster, Phone: (218) 299-5163, Address: 915 9th Ave N, Moorhead, MN 56560. Updated frequently.
Minnesota DOC Inmate LocatorState prison inmatesOnline search toolSearch all MN state prisons. Not for local/county inmates.
VINE Inmate SearchVictim notification/service info; some county/state inmatesOnline, phoneOffers notifications; not all inmates listed.
Federal BOP LocatorFederal inmates (nationwide)Online searchNo federal prisons in MN. Most MN federal offenders held at FCI Sandstone (Sandstone, MN) or nearby states.
In-Person Records RequestJail/court/prison recordsVisit Clay County Sheriff's Office or court officeSheriff's Office: 915 9th Ave N, Moorhead, MN, open weekdays. Bring ID; call (218) 299-5151 for details.

Booking Process & Common Charges in Clay County

Following arrest in Clay County, individuals are transported to the jail, fingerprinted, photographed, undergo a medical screening, and receive a housing assignment; the entire booking process typically takes 4–8 hours. Below is a summary of common charges and their booking characteristics in Clay County.

Charge CategoryCommon ExamplesFrequencyTypical Hold Duration
DUI / TrafficDWI, driving under suspensionHigh8–48 hours, until sober or bail set
Drug OffensesPossession, paraphernalia, distributionModerate24–72 hours or until bail set
Assault / Domestic ViolenceSimple assault, domestic batteryModerate12–72 hours, subject to court review
Property CrimesTheft, burglary, criminal damageModerate24–72 hours or until bail/court appearance
Failure to AppearMissed court dateHighUntil appearance before judge or payment
Outstanding WarrantsUnserved warrants, probation violationsHighUntil resolution or appearance before judge
Felony (Pre-Trial)Aggravated assault, felony drug crimesModerateUntil bail/court; sentenced offenders are transferred to state facility

Visitation Rules at Clay County Jail

Before planning your visit, please verify the current visitation rules with Clay County Jail, as policies may change. You must also confirm you are listed on the inmate’s approved visitor list prior to your visit.

Visitation Schedule

DayVisiting HoursVisit TypeNotes
Monday7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIn-personConfirm with facility
Tuesday7:00 PM – 9:00 PMIn-personConfirm with facility
Wednesday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMIn-personConfirm with facility
Thursday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMIn-personConfirm with facility
FridayNo visitationNo visits allowed
Saturday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMIn-personConfirm with facility
Sunday9:00 AM – 11:00 AMIn-personConfirm with facility

Visitation Requirements

RequirementDetails
IDValid government-issued photo identification required for all visitors.
Dress CodeModest attire; no revealing clothing, hats, or gang-related items.
Prohibited ItemsNo bags, phones, cameras, or contraband permitted inside the facility.
Visitor Approval ProcessVisitors must be pre-approved and on the inmate’s authorized list.
Children PolicyMinors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.
Attorney / Clergy VisitsPermitted outside regular hours with prior arrangement and facility approval.

How to Contact an Inmate at Clay County Jail

Inmates at Clay County Jail can be contacted through phone calls, physical mail, and digital messaging; all communications are monitored and subject to facility rules.

Mailing address format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
[Clay County Jail]
915 9th Ave N, Moorhead, MN 56560

MethodHow It WorksSetupRules / Restrictions
Phone CallsInmates can make outbound calls using the facility phone system provided by [Provider].Friends/family must create an account with [Provider].Calls may be recorded/monitored; inmates cannot receive calls.
Physical MailSend letters via USPS using the format above; facility staff screen all mail.No special setup needed; just use correct address format.No contraband; only letters/photos (no Polaroids, no packages).
Digital MessagingSend and receive messages through [Provider]'s online platform.Create an account with [Provider].Messages are monitored; inappropriate content is prohibited.
Video CallsSchedule video visitation sessions through [Provider]'s system.Register and schedule through [Provider].All visits are monitored and must be pre-approved; dress code applies.

Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Clay County

The Minnesota Board of Parole oversees parole decisions for state-sentenced offenders, setting conditions for release and supervising parolees. Local reentry support in Clay County is provided through state and community-based programs that assist with housing, employment, and the restoration of benefits.

Program / ResourceDescriptionWho It ServesContact / Access
Minnesota Board of ParoleGrants, denies, or revokes parole and sets conditions for release.State-sentenced offendersbop.dps.mn.gov / (651) 361-7200
Good Time / Sentence ReductionProvides sentence reductions for good behavior and program participation, per Minnesota DOC policy.Eligible state inmatesmn.gov/doc
Parole Supervision (Clay County)Local supervision and case management for parolees in Clay County.Parolees residing in Clay CountyMoorhead Probation & Parole: 915 9th Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560
Phone: (218) 299-7050
Reentry HousingAssists parolees and recently released individuals with transitional or supportive housing.Returning residents seeking housingMinnesota Second Chance Coalition
Employment AssistanceJob readiness programs, training, and job placement for those returning from incarceration.Individuals with criminal backgroundsMN CareerForce Moorhead
Phone: (218) 287-5060
Benefits RestorationHelp restoring healthcare, SNAP, and other public benefits after incarceration.Recently released individualsMinnesota Benefits Recovery
VINE Victim NotificationAutomated notification system for crime victims on inmate custody status and parole changes.Victims, concerned family and friendsvinelink.com / (877) 664-8463

Clay Incarceration Statistics

Clay County, Minnesota, experiences crime and incarceration rates generally in line with state averages, with property crime being more prevalent than violent crime. Clay County does not have its own dedicated jail; instead, inmates are typically held at the regional Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Moorhead.

Crime Statistics

Crime CategoryReported IncidentsRate per 100,000% of TotalTrend
Violent Crime (total)154 (statewide)277 (statewide)8.1%↑ Increasing
— Assault106 (statewide)191 (statewide)5.6%↑ Increasing
— Robbery18 (statewide)32 (statewide)0.9%→ Stable
— Homicide1 (statewide)2 (statewide)<0.1%→ Stable
Property Crime (total)1,242 (statewide)2,235 (statewide)65%↓ Decreasing
— Theft / Larceny864 (statewide)1,554 (statewide)45.2%↓ Decreasing
— Burglary283 (statewide)509 (statewide)14.8%↓ Decreasing
— Vehicle Theft95 (statewide)171 (statewide)5.0%↑ Increasing
Drug Offenses210 (statewide)378 (statewide)11.0%↑ Increasing
DUI / Traffic170 (statewide)306 (statewide)8.9%→ Stable
Domestic Violence84 (statewide)151 (statewide)4.4%↑ Increasing

Inmate Demographics

Demographic CategoryBreakdownNotes
Gender82% Male, 18% FemaleStatewide average used
Age Groups18-24: 18%, 25-34: 32%, 35-44: 28%, 45+: 22%Statewide average used
Race / EthnicityWhite: 64%, Black: 18%, Native American: 10%, Other: 8%Statewide average used
Top Offense TypesDrug, Property, AssaultStatewide average used
Avg. Sentence Length2.1 yearsStatewide average used
Recidivism Rate37% (within 3 years)Statewide average used

How Many Inmates Are Currently in Clay County?

Clay County currently holds an estimated 142 inmates across several custodial categories. Sentenced offenders requiring extended incarceration may be transferred to a state-run correctional facility.

Facility TypePopulation% of TotalAvg. Daily CostCapacity Utilization
County Jail (Pre-Trial)9264.8%$7880%
Sentenced Offenders (local, short-term)2618.3%$7476%
Transferred to State Facility149.9%N/AN/A
Federal Holds53.5%$828%
Juvenile / Youth53.5%$21025%
Total142100%

Clay County Facility Directory

Clay County operates two correctional facilities: one county jail and one work release center. Additionally, some detainees may be housed at a regional state facility.

Facility NameTypeLocationCapacityPopulationSecurity Level
Clay County JailCounty Jail41771 Highway 77 North, Ashland, AL7255Medium
Clay County Work Release CenterWork Release Center41771 Highway 77 North, Ashland, AL2518Minimum
Coosa Valley Detention CenterRegional Facility316 Coosa St, Childersburg, AL250140Mixed

Clay County Prisons and Jails

3 Jails Found
Clay County Mn Jail And Annex
915 9th Avenue North, Moorhead, MN, 56560
Jail 218-299-5163
218-299-7696
West Central Regional Juvenile Center (wcrjc)
729 11th St. N., Moorhead, MN, 56561
218-299-5150
218-299-7533
Clay County Correctional Facility
800 9th St. N., Moorhead, MN, 56560
218-299-5163
218-299-7696