Find Inmates in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County, with a population of about 123,000. The inmate population for Ann Arbor is held at the Washtenaw County Jail on Hogback Road, operated by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office. You can search the inmate population by calling the jail, contacting the sheriff's office, or using Michigan's OTIS system for anyone serving time in a state prison. This page covers how to locate inmates, request records, and access related public tools.
Ann Arbor Overview
Washtenaw County Jail and Inmate Lookup
The Washtenaw County Jail at 2201 Hogback Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 is the main detention facility for people arrested in Ann Arbor and across Washtenaw County. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office manages the jail and inmate records. You can reach the jail at (734) 973-4611 to ask about a specific inmate's custody status. The sheriff's office website at washtenaw.org/1067/Sheriffs-Office is the official source for inmate information and services related to the county jail.
When you call, have the person's full name ready. Staff can confirm whether someone is in custody and provide general information about their booking. More detailed information, such as hearing dates, may require contacting the court directly.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Washtenaw County Jail | 2201 Hogback Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 |
| Phone | (734) 973-4611 |
| Sheriff Website | washtenaw.org/1067/Sheriffs-Office |
How Arrests Work in Ann Arbor
People arrested by the Ann Arbor Police Department or Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies are brought to the Washtenaw County Jail for booking. This applies to misdemeanor and felony arrests alike. Those awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than one year remain at the county jail. Those convicted of felonies and sentenced to more than one year are transferred to a Michigan Department of Corrections facility.
Ann Arbor also hosts the University of Michigan Police Department and other campus law enforcement. Arrests by campus police may go through the same county jail system. If you're looking for someone and they don't appear in county records, check OTIS. If they're not in either system, they may have been released or moved to a different jurisdiction.
Michigan OTIS for State Prisoners
The Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) at mdocweb.state.mi.us covers all MDOC-supervised offenders statewide. This includes people currently in state prisons, as well as those on parole or probation. You can search by name or MDOC number. Results include the current facility, offense summary, and projected release date where available. Not every result means the person is behind bars. Check the listed custody status in the search results to confirm current placement. The MDOC site at michigan.gov/corrections has additional guidance on reading OTIS results.
VINELink Custody Notifications
Washtenaw County uses VINELink for victim and public notification. If you need alerts when an inmate's status changes, register at vinelink.com or call 1-800-770-7657. The service is free and sends notifications by phone, text, or email. You don't need to be a crime victim to use it. Registration is open to anyone who needs to track a specific person's release or transfer. Alerts go out automatically when a change is recorded in the system, so there's no need to keep calling or checking manually.
FOIA Requests and Public Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives residents the right to request records from public agencies. You can submit a FOIA request to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office for jail logs, booking records, and incident reports. Requests must be in writing. The agency has five business days to respond. Fees may apply based on the type and volume of records you need. Basic custody information can often be obtained by phone without a formal request.
Washtenaw County Sheriff's records requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or through the sheriff's website. Keep a copy of your request and note the date you submitted it. If the agency doesn't respond in time, you may have grounds to pursue the request further under FOIA.
MiCOURT Case Records
Court cases from Ann Arbor arrests are searchable at courts.michigan.gov/case-search. MiCOURT covers courts across the state. Ann Arbor cases are heard in Washtenaw County's 22nd Circuit Court for felonies and the 15th District Court for misdemeanors. You can search by name or case number to find charges, scheduled hearings, and case outcomes. Court records are separate from jail records but help you understand where a case stands and what the next steps are in the legal process.
Michigan State Police Tools
The Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat provides statewide criminal conviction records for a small fee. It's separate from the jail inmate lookup and is most useful when you need a broader criminal record rather than just a current custody check. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/msp/services/sex-offender-registry is free and searchable by name, address, or map. It lists registered offenders who are compliant with state reporting requirements. Neither tool confirms current incarceration status.
Visiting Inmates at Washtenaw County Jail
Visitation at the Washtenaw County Jail is by appointment. Call (734) 973-4611 to get the current visitation schedule and learn how to be approved as a visitor. The jail uses video visitation for most contacts. On-site visits may be free; remote visits through a third-party provider may carry a fee. Valid ID is required for all visitors. Policies change, so it's best to call ahead before planning a visit. Inmates may be restricted from visitation in some circumstances, such as during disciplinary periods.
County Jail vs. State Prison: A Quick Guide
County jails hold people who are newly arrested, awaiting trial, or serving short sentences of less than one year. The Washtenaw County Jail handles this for Ann Arbor. State prisons hold people with felony convictions serving longer sentences. Under MCL 801.1, county jails fall under the county sheriff. Under MCL 800.31, MDOC runs the state prison system. Each has its own records and search tools. Use the county sheriff's resources first. If nothing shows up, try OTIS. If still nothing, the person may have been released or is in a federal or out-of-state facility.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office manages inmate population records for Ann Arbor. The screenshot below shows the sheriff's website, which is the primary resource for Ann Arbor inmate population information.
Use the Washtenaw County Sheriff's website and phone line to search the Ann Arbor inmate population and find out about county jail services, visitation, and records requests.
Washtenaw County Inmate Population
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. All county jail records for the city are maintained by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office. The county page covers the full jail system, local courts, and records access procedures.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying Michigan cities near Ann Arbor with inmate population pages are listed below.