Salem County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Salem County?
Inmate records are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and sheriff's offices to document the custody, status, and history of individuals held in detention. In Salem County, these records are generated and managed by the Salem County Sheriff's Office Corrections Division, which operates the county's jail facility. Inmate records are distinct from court records: the court system maintains case files, dockets, and judicial orders, while the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention and administrative status within the facility.
The record creation process begins at booking or intake, the moment a person is received into custody following an arrest. At that point, facility staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and assign a booking number. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and program participation. Upon release — whether by bond, court order, completion of sentence, or transfer — the record is closed and archived. Under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 47:1A-1, government agencies in New Jersey are required to maintain public records and make them accessible to members of the public in accordance with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).
Salem County Sheriff's Office – Corrections Division 125 Cemetery Road, Woodstown, NJ 08098 (856) 769-4500 Salem County Sheriff's Office
Are Inmate Records Public In Salem County?
Inmate records in Salem County are generally accessible to the public under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act. Pursuant to N.J. Stat. Ann. § 47:1A-1, all government records are presumed to be public unless a specific exemption applies. The New Jersey Attorney General's guidelines and the Department of Corrections further clarify which custody-related records may be disclosed. Basic booking and custody information — including current inmate rosters, charges filed, and bond amounts — is routinely made available to the public.
The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public in Salem County:
- Current inmate roster — names and booking numbers of individuals presently in custody
- Booking and arrest records — date of arrest, arresting agency, and booking date
- Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the current period of custody
- Mugshots — booking photographs, subject to applicable state guidelines
- Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by the court for pretrial release
- Expected release dates — projected release or next court appearance dates
- Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is held
Certain information within inmate records is exempt from public disclosure, including medical and mental health records, juvenile records, and information that could compromise facility security or an ongoing investigation, consistent with exemptions enumerated under OPRA.
What's Included In Inmate Records in Salem County
Inmate records maintained by the Salem County correctional system contain a comprehensive set of data fields organized by category. The following breakdown reflects the standard components of a complete inmate record:
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)
Custody Information:
- Booking date and time
- Arresting agency
- Current facility and housing unit assignment
- Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold)
Charge Information:
- All charges associated with the current booking
- Charge level (felony, misdemeanor, or violation)
- Statute cited for each charge
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set by the court
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond status (posted, unposted, denied)
Court Information:
- Next scheduled court date
- Assigned court and docket number
- Case status
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Sentence length and start date
- Offense of conviction
- Projected maximum release date
- Any concurrent or consecutive sentence designations
Release Information:
- Actual release date
- Release type (bond, court order, sentence completion, transfer)
- Receiving agency if transferred
Salem County Prison System
Salem County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving sentences of up to one year for county-level offenses. The county jail is distinct from New Jersey state prisons, which are administered by the New Jersey Department of Corrections and house individuals convicted of indictable offenses carrying sentences exceeding one year. The Salem County correctional system is administered by the Sheriff's Office Corrections Division, which is responsible for the intake, housing, supervision, and release of all county detainees.
The facility serves multiple functions: it holds pretrial detainees who have not posted bail, individuals serving short-term sentences imposed by county courts, persons held on detainers from other jurisdictions, and individuals awaiting transfer to state or federal facilities. The Sheriff's Office also coordinates with the New Jersey State Parole Board and other agencies regarding offender supervision and release planning.
Salem County Sheriff's Office – Corrections Division 125 Cemetery Road, Woodstown, NJ 08098 (856) 769-4500 Salem County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Types of Correctional Facilities In Salem County
Salem County currently operates one primary correctional facility serving the county's detention needs.
Salem County Correctional Facility 125 Cemetery Road, Woodstown, NJ 08098 (856) 769-4500 Salem County Correctional Facility
This facility functions as the county's primary detention center and handles all stages of the custody process, from initial booking through release. It accommodates pretrial detainees, sentenced inmates, and individuals held on behalf of other agencies. The facility operates under the authority of the Salem County Sheriff and is subject to oversight by the New Jersey Department of Corrections pursuant to state standards governing county correctional facilities.
Individuals convicted of indictable offenses and sentenced to more than one year are transferred to a New Jersey state correctional institution. Members of the public seeking information on state-sentenced individuals may use the New Jersey offender search tool maintained by the State Parole Board.
Who's in Prison In Salem County
The Salem County Correctional Facility houses several distinct populations of incarcerated individuals. Understanding who is held at the county level helps members of the public direct their inquiries to the appropriate agency.
- Pretrial detainees — individuals arrested and charged with a criminal offense who have not yet been tried or who have not posted the required bail
- Sentenced county inmates — individuals convicted of disorderly persons offenses or certain indictable offenses and sentenced to terms of one year or less
- Civil commitments — individuals held pursuant to civil court orders
- Federal and state holds — individuals detained on behalf of federal agencies (such as U.S. Marshals) or awaiting transfer to state correctional institutions
- Parole and probation violators — individuals held pending a hearing on an alleged violation of supervision conditions
- Interstate detainees — individuals held under agreements with other states or jurisdictions
Individuals who have been sentenced to New Jersey state prison are not housed at the county facility. Information on state inmates is available through the New Jersey Department of Corrections offender lookup.
How To Search for Inmate Records In Salem County in 2026
Members of the public may search for inmate records in Salem County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:
Step 1 – Online Search Members of the public are encouraged to begin with available online tools. The New Jersey Courts system provides a case lookup portal where individuals may search for court case information associated with a specific person. For municipal-level traffic and complaint matters, the Municipal Court Case Search tool is available through the New Jersey Courts website.
Step 2 – Contact the Correctional Facility Directly Members of the public may call the Salem County Correctional Facility at (856) 769-4500 during business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status. Staff can confirm whether a named individual is currently in custody and provide basic booking information.
Step 3 – Submit an OPRA Request Pursuant to N.J. Stat. Ann. § 47:1A-5, members of the public may submit a formal Open Public Records Act request to the Salem County government. OPRA requests may be submitted in writing to the county's designated records custodian. The custodian is required to respond within seven business days.
Salem County Clerk's Office – Records Custodian 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079 (856) 935-7510 ext. 8302 Salem County Clerk Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Step 4 – In-Person Inspection Members of the public may inspect available public records in person at the Salem County Correctional Facility or the County Clerk's Office during regular business hours.
How To Find an Inmate in Salem County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in Salem County or a New Jersey state facility.
- Call the Salem County Correctional Facility at (856) 769-4500 — staff can confirm current custody status at no charge during business hours
- Use the New Jersey Courts case search — the Find a Case portal allows free searches of court case records, which may reflect an individual's custody status and upcoming court dates
- Search municipal court records — the Municipal Court Case Search tool provides free access to traffic and complaint information at the municipal level
- Use the NJ State Parole Board offender search — the offender search engine maintained by the New Jersey State Parole Board allows free lookups of individuals under state supervision or housed in state correctional facilities
- Submit an OPRA request — basic inmate roster and booking information may be obtained at no cost through a formal OPRA request to the county
How To Visit an Inmate In Salem County
Visitation at the Salem County Correctional Facility is subject to facility rules and scheduling requirements. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable procedures.
Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved by the facility prior to their first visit. Visitors are required to submit identification and complete a visitor registration process. Approval is subject to a background review.
Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the facility administration and are subject to change. Members of the public are advised to contact the facility directly at (856) 769-4500 to confirm current visiting hours before arriving.
What to Bring
- Government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Any required documentation for special visits (attorney credentials, clergy identification)
What NOT to Bring
- Cell phones, cameras, or electronic devices
- Food, beverages, or outside packages
- Weapons or contraband of any kind
- Excessive cash or valuables
Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or contains offensive imagery is prohibited. The facility reserves the right to deny entry to visitors who do not comply with the dress code.
Visit Types
- In-person contact visits — available to approved visitors on scheduled days
- Non-contact visits — conducted through a partition with telephone communication
- Attorney visits — available by appointment; attorneys must present valid bar credentials
- Clergy visits — available by appointment with appropriate credentials
Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, pending disciplinary proceedings, or for security reasons. Minors must be accompanied by an approved adult guardian.
How To Send Money to a Salem County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the facility store. The Salem County Correctional Facility currently accepts deposits through the following methods:
- Online deposits — through the facility's approved third-party payment provider (members of the public should contact the facility for the current approved vendor)
- Money orders — made payable to the inmate's full legal name and booking number, mailed to the facility address
- In-person kiosk — if available at the facility lobby, cash or card deposits may be made at a self-service kiosk
Amount Limits The facility may impose limits on the amount that may be deposited within a given period. Members of the public are advised to confirm current limits by contacting the facility at (856) 769-4500.
Fees Third-party payment processors may charge a transaction fee. The facility itself does not typically charge a deposit fee, but fees vary by payment method and provider.
What You Cannot Send
- Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted
- Personal checks are generally not accepted
- Gift cards or prepaid debit cards are not accepted
What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For Funds in a commissary account may be used to purchase approved food items, hygiene products, writing materials, and postage. Commissary funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly, nor may they be transferred to other inmates.
How To Send Jail Mail In Salem County
Members of the public may correspond with inmates at the Salem County Correctional Facility by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable New Jersey administrative regulations.
Mailing Address Format Mail must be addressed as follows: Inmate Full Legal Name, Booking Number Salem County Correctional Facility 125 Cemetery Road Woodstown, NJ 08098
Rules for Sending Mail
- All letters must be written on plain white paper; cards and colored paper may be restricted
- Envelopes must include the sender's full return address
- Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines (typically standard-size prints, no Polaroids)
- No stickers, glitter, staples, paper clips, or bindings are permitted
- No cash, checks, or money orders may be enclosed in mail
- No contraband of any kind may be included
- Publications such as books and magazines must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual
- Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and must be clearly marked as privileged legal correspondence
Mail that does not comply with facility rules will be returned to the sender or destroyed. Repeated violations may result in mail privileges being suspended for the inmate.