Is it possible to view county jail records free of charge?

The official websites of most county jails in the United States allow the public to access county jail records for free. Generally, as long as a person can provide the full name, last name or inmate ID of the incarcerated individual, she can freely access the inmate's records.

The County Sheriff's Department usually provides an inmate search tool where the public can search for the inmate by entering the requested information. The department may also publish the daily police arrest record and publicize mug shots of incarcerated inmates and known sex offenders. The records of inmates in a federal prison may be searched and viewed on the Federal Bureau of Prisons' website.