Lewis County Public Records /Lewis County Inmate Search

Lewis County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Lewis County?

Inmate records in Lewis County are official documents created and maintained by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office and its corrections division to document the custody status, personal history, and institutional conduct of individuals held in county correctional facilities. These records are distinct from court records: the Lewis County Superior Court Clerk maintains case files, docket entries, and judicial orders, while the jail maintains custody-specific documentation that tracks an individual from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when corrections staff photograph, fingerprint, and log biographical data for each newly admitted individual. Records are updated continuously throughout incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical encounters, program participation, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived in accordance with Washington State retention schedules. Under RCW 42.56, the Washington State Public Records Act, government agencies are required to maintain and make available records generated in the conduct of public business, which includes custody documentation held by county sheriff's offices.

Lewis County Sheriff's Office 345 W Main St, Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 748-9286 Sheriff - Lewis County

Are Inmate Records Public In Lewis County?

Inmate records maintained by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office are generally considered public records under Washington State law. RCW 42.56.010 establishes a broad presumption of public access to government records, and correctional custody records fall within the scope of that presumption. Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding any requested record.

Under current law, the following categories of inmate information are publicly accessible:

Current inmate roster — names and booking numbers of individuals presently in custody
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and arresting agency associated with each intake
Charges filed — criminal charges for which the individual is being held
Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
Bond and bail amounts — financial conditions of release set by the court
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information, where available
Housing facility — the specific correctional facility where the individual is currently held

Certain information may be withheld pursuant to RCW 42.56.240, which exempts records that could endanger the safety of correctional staff, compromise ongoing investigations, or reveal the identity of confidential informants. Members of the public seeking access to inmate records may submit a public records request directly to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office or access available information through the online jail roster maintained by the corrections division.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Lewis County

Inmate records compiled by the Lewis County corrections system contain multiple categories of documentation that collectively describe an individual's custody history and legal status.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Gender and race/ethnicity
Physical descriptors (height, weight, hair and eye color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint records

Custody Information:

Booking number and date of admission
Arresting agency
Current housing assignment within the facility
Custody classification level
Disciplinary history within the facility

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges for which the individual is held
Statute citations corresponding to each charge
Charge severity (felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor)

Bond/Bail Information:

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

Court Information:

Associated court case numbers
Next scheduled court appearance
Billing agency and court of jurisdiction

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length imposed by the court
Sentence start date
Good-time or earned-release credits applied

Release Information:

Projected or scheduled release date
Release type (completion of sentence, bond posted, transfer, or other disposition)
Conditions of release, if applicable

Lewis County Prison System

Lewis County operates a locally administered correctional system under the authority of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. The county jail functions as the primary detention facility for individuals awaiting trial, those serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor convictions, and individuals held on detainers or warrants from other jurisdictions. This structure is distinct from the Washington State Department of Corrections, which administers state prisons housing individuals convicted of felonies and sentenced to terms exceeding one year.

The Corrections / Jail division of Lewis County operates under the direct supervision of the Sheriff and is staffed by sworn corrections deputies and civilian support personnel. Custody staff conduct hourly welfare checks on all housed individuals, oversee meal service, manage inmate programming, and coordinate transportation to court appearances. The division also processes all bookings, releases, and transfers in compliance with applicable state statutes and court orders.

Lewis County Sheriff's Office — Corrections Division 345 W Main St, Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 748-9286 Sheriff - Lewis County

Types of Correctional Facilities In Lewis County

Lewis County currently operates one primary detention facility serving the county's correctional needs.

Lewis County Jail 345 W Main St, Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 748-9286 Corrections / Jail - Lewis County

The Lewis County Jail is a medium-security county detention facility that houses pre-trial detainees, sentenced misdemeanants, and individuals held on behalf of other agencies. The facility maintains separate housing units based on classification level, gender, and special management needs. Corrections staff are responsible for the safety and security of all persons in custody, the administration of inmate programs, and the coordination of medical and mental health services. Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to state custody are transferred to a Washington State Department of Corrections facility following sentencing.

Who's in Prison In Lewis County

The Lewis County Jail houses several distinct populations at any given time. Pre-trial detainees represent the largest group — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted or acquitted. These individuals may be held because they are unable to post bail, because the court has ordered detention pending trial, or because they are awaiting a bail hearing.

Additional populations currently held in the Lewis County Jail include:

Individuals serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor convictions
Individuals held on warrants issued by Lewis County courts or courts in other jurisdictions
Individuals awaiting transfer to state or federal custody following felony sentencing
Individuals held on immigration detainers in coordination with federal authorities
Individuals serving work-release or electronic home monitoring sentences who are temporarily returned to custody for violations

Members of the public may search the current population through the Lewis County Jail Roster, which is updated regularly and displays names, booking numbers, and associated charge information for individuals presently in custody.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Lewis County in 2026

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

Online Jail Roster Search:

Navigate to the Lewis County Jail booking records page maintained by the Sheriff's Office.
Browse the current roster or search by inmate name or booking number.
Review displayed information including charges, bond amounts, arresting agency, and court of jurisdiction.

In-Person Records Request:

Visit the Lewis County Sheriff's Office at 345 W Main St, Chehalis, WA 98532, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Submit a written public records request identifying the individual by full name and, if known, date of birth or booking number.
The agency is required under RCW 42.56.520 to respond to public records requests within five business days of receipt.

State-Level Search: For individuals who have been transferred to state custody, members of the public may use the Washington State Department of Corrections incarcerated person data search to locate current placement and custody status.

Court Records Search: Case-related documents, including charging documents and sentencing orders, are accessible through the Lewis County Court Records portal maintained by the County Clerk's Office.

Lewis County Clerk's Office 351 NW North St, Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 740-1220 Court Records/Records Requests - Lewis County

How To Find an Inmate in Lewis County for Free?

Several no-cost resources are available to members of the public seeking to locate an individual in Lewis County custody or the broader Washington State correctional system.

Lewis County Jail Roster — The current jail roster is publicly accessible online at no charge and displays all individuals presently in custody at the Lewis County Jail, including booking numbers, charges, and bond information.
Lewis County Jail Bookings — The jail bookings page provides a searchable log of recent intake events, including arrest date, arresting agency, and court information.
Washington State DOC Inmate Search — The Washington State Department of Corrections provides a free incarcerated person search tool for individuals currently serving felony sentences in state facilities.
Washington Courts Name and Case Search — The Washington State Courts name and case search allows members of the public to locate case filings and court dates associated with a named individual across all Washington counties.
Find My Court Date — The statewide court date lookup tool enables users to search for upcoming hearings by name across Washington State courts.

How To Visit an Inmate In Lewis County

Visitation at the Lewis County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Sheriff's Office corrections division. All visits are subject to approval and may be suspended or restricted based on facility security needs or inmate disciplinary status.

Visit Rules and Procedures:

All visitors must be pre-approved and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list prior to the visit.
Visitors are required to present valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit.
Visitors are subject to search upon entry to the facility.

Visit Schedule:

Visitation schedules are set by the Lewis County Jail and may vary by housing unit. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (360) 748-9286 to confirm current visitation hours before arriving.

What to Bring:

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring:

Weapons, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia
Unauthorized food, beverages, or packages
Electronic devices not expressly permitted by facility policy
Cash or valuables beyond what is permitted by facility rules

Dress Code:

Visitors must dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-affiliated symbols or insignia is prohibited. The facility reserves the right to deny entry to any visitor whose attire is deemed inappropriate.

Visit Types:

The Lewis County Jail currently offers in-person contact and non-contact visitation, as well as video visitation options. Availability varies by housing unit and inmate classification.

Visit Restrictions:

Visits may be denied or terminated if the visitor or inmate violates facility rules.
Individuals with active warrants, pending criminal charges related to the facility, or prior bans from the facility may be denied entry.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also on the approved visitor list.

How To Send Money to a Lewis County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the jail commissary, cover the cost of phone calls, and pay for other authorized services.

Methods for Sending Money:

Online deposits — Funds may be submitted electronically through the jail's approved third-party payment service provider. Members of the public should access the current deposit portal through the Lewis County corrections page for current provider information.
Kiosk deposits — A deposit kiosk may be available at the facility lobby for cash or card transactions.
Money order or cashier's check — Mailed deposits must be in the form of a money order or cashier's check made payable to the inmate, with the inmate's full name and booking number written on the memo line.

Amount Limits:

Deposit limits per transaction and per day are set by facility policy and the contracted service provider. Members of the public should verify current limits directly with the facility.

Fees:

Third-party deposit services typically assess a transaction fee. Fee schedules are disclosed at the point of transaction by the service provider.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent by mail is not accepted and will not be credited to the inmate's account.
Personal checks are not accepted.
Funds from unverified or anonymous sources may be rejected.

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For:

Approved uses include commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone account credits, and approved programming fees.
Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court-ordered obligations directly through the trust account unless specifically authorized by the court or facility policy.

How To Send Jail Mail In Lewis County

Members of the public may correspond with individuals in custody at the Lewis County Jail by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by corrections staff pursuant to facility security protocols and applicable Washington State law.

Mailing Address Format: All mail must be addressed using the following format:

Inmate Full Name / Booking Number Lewis County Jail 345 W Main St Chehalis, WA 98532

Rules for Sending Mail:

All letters must be written on plain white paper. Colored paper, glitter, stickers, or adhesive materials are not permitted.
Envelopes must be standard white envelopes with no padding, lining, or embedded materials.
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; polaroid-style photographs and photos with dark or black backgrounds are typically prohibited due to inspection limitations.
Publications such as books and magazines must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer; items sent from personal addresses may be rejected.
Mail containing threatening language, coded messages, or materials that could compromise facility security will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
Legal mail from licensed attorneys is handled separately and is subject to different inspection procedures under applicable constitutional protections.

Members of the public seeking current mail policy details should contact the Lewis County Jail directly at (360) 748-9286 or review the corrections division page for any posted updates to mail handling procedures.