Genesee County Inmate Population

Genesee County inmate population records are managed through two facilities: the Genesee County Jail in Flint and the Flint City Lockup on West Fifth Street. The Genesee County Sheriff's Office oversees the main jail, which runs a public online roster at geneseecountyjail.org. This page covers how to search for inmates, how to contact the jail, what state tools apply, and how Michigan's FOIA law gives you access to booking and custody records in Genesee County.

Genesee County Jail and Inmate Population

The Genesee County Jail sits at 1002 South Saginaw Street in Flint. It opened in 1903 and has been updated over the decades, but the facility regularly holds more people than its rated capacity of 580 beds. On a typical day, the jail population runs between 580 and 620 inmates. That persistent overcrowding is something the county has dealt with for years. The jail uses a direct supervision model, which means deputies work inside the housing units rather than monitoring from a separate control room.

The second facility, the Flint City Lockup, sits at 210 West Fifth Street in Flint. It has capacity for about 110 people and reopened in 2021. The lockup is designed for short-term holds, meaning people go there briefly before transfer or release. It is not a long-term housing facility. If you are looking for someone who was recently arrested in the city of Flint, they may be at the lockup initially before being moved to the main county jail.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office runs both facilities. Deputies handle all bookings, maintain custody records, and manage day-to-day operations at both locations.

Note: The Genesee County Jail inmate population routinely exceeds the facility's rated capacity, which sometimes affects how quickly new bookings appear in online records.

How to Search Genesee County Inmate Records

Genesee County gives the public online access to jail roster data through geneseecountyjail.org. The roster shows who is currently in custody. Each entry typically includes the person's custody status, booking date, charges, bond information, and their next scheduled court date. You can also see an expected release date when one has been set. This is one of the more complete online rosters among Michigan county jails.

When searching online, use the full legal name if you can. First name and last name together give you better results. If you are not sure of the spelling, try a partial search and look through the results. Booking records are usually updated within a few hours of an arrest being processed.

If you need custody status information that is not on the online roster, or if you want to confirm details for an older booking, you can call the jail directly. The main inmate information line is (810) 257-3426. The main sheriff's office line is (810) 257-3407. Both lines are staffed during regular business hours.

For people transferred to Michigan state prisons, use the OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us. OTIS covers all Michigan Department of Corrections facilities and is free to search by name or MDOC number.

Genesee County Sheriff's Office Contact

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office handles all jail operations and inmate population inquiries for both the main jail and the Flint City Lockup. Use the contact details below for custody checks, visitation questions, and booking record requests.

When you call the inmate info line, have the person's full name ready. A date of birth helps staff locate the right record quickly, especially if the name is common. Staff can confirm whether the person is in custody and where they are being held.

Visiting Inmates at Genesee County Jail

Visitation at the Genesee County Jail requires advance scheduling. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list before you can visit. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The jail enforces a dress code, so check the rules before you go. Cell phones are not allowed past the lobby. All visitors are searched before entering. These rules apply to all visitors regardless of relationship to the inmate.

The jail also offers video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. Check the jail's website at geneseecountyjail.org for current visitation hours and scheduling instructions, as these can change.

Sending Mail and Money to Genesee County Inmates

Genesee County Jail uses TextBehind for inmate mail. Send physical mail to: TextBehind, PO Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. You can also email the service at info@textbehind.com. Electronic messages are sent through ConnectNetwork. When sending mail, do not include stamps on the envelope, stickers, musical cards, or paper with stains or markings. Legal mail goes directly to the jail at the South Saginaw Street address and not through TextBehind.

To put money on an inmate's account, use the GettingOut website or app. You can also use the kiosk in the jail lobby or call the GettingOut phone line at 866-516-0115, which handles calls in multiple languages. Funds typically become available within 24 hours of deposit.

Phone calls from the jail run through GTL Connect Network, which is now part of Viapath Technologies. Call accounts can be set up as Advance Pay or Pin Debit. All calls are recorded except calls to attorneys.

Note: Mugshot requests require a formal written request directed to the Sheriff's Office, attention Media Relations.

Michigan OTIS: State Prison Inmate Search

Not everyone in custody in Genesee County is at the county jail. If someone has been convicted of a felony and sent to a Michigan Department of Corrections facility, you will find them in OTIS. The Offender Tracking Information System is free to use and covers all current state prison inmates as well as recently released offenders.

Search OTIS at mdocweb.state.mi.us using the person's name or MDOC number. Results show the facility where they are held, their earliest release date, and a photo if one is available. The Michigan DOC main page at michigan.gov/corrections has information on all state prison facilities and policies.

County jail inmates in Genesee County do not appear in OTIS. For those individuals, the geneseecountyjail.org roster or the inmate info line at (810) 257-3426 are your best resources.

VINELink Custody Notifications

VINELink is a free service that sends alerts when someone's custody status changes. You can register to be notified by phone, email, or text when a person is released, transferred, or moved. The service runs 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-770-7657 or register online at vinelink.com. VINELink covers both the Genesee County Jail and Michigan state facilities through MDOC.

Alerts are confidential. The person in custody does not know you signed up. This is especially useful if you need ongoing updates without calling the jail each time.

Requesting Genesee County Jail Records Under FOIA

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request records from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. MCL 15.231 covers this right. The sheriff's office must respond to a written request within five business days. They can extend that deadline by five more days if necessary. A small fee may apply for copying and processing.

Submit your request in writing. Be specific about what records you want, who they concern, and the time period involved. Mail your request to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office at 1002 South Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502. If any part of your request is denied, the office must explain which FOIA exemption applies. County jail authority in Michigan runs under MCL 801.1, and oversight standards for jail conditions fall under MCL 800.31.

Genesee County Court Records

Criminal cases in Genesee County go through the 7th Circuit Court or local district courts. Court records are separate from jail records but can tell you more about why someone is in custody, what charges they face, and when their next hearing is scheduled. The MiCOURT case search portal at courts.michigan.gov lets you search by name or case number. Results include charges, bond amounts, court dates, and case status.

The jail's online roster also lists next court dates for current inmates, so you may not need to check both systems if you just need basic scheduling information.

Michigan Court Case Search Portal

The Michigan courts case search portal gives public access to court records across the state, including cases originating in Genesee County.

Use this portal alongside the jail roster to get a full picture of someone's legal status, from their charges to their upcoming court dates and bond conditions.

Cities in Genesee County

Genesee County's largest city is Flint, which has its own dedicated inmate population page covering local resources and courthouse information.

Other communities in Genesee County include Burton, Grand Blanc, Flushing, Clio, Davison, and Swartz Creek. These cities do not meet the population threshold for a dedicated inmate population page. For the full list of qualifying Michigan cities, visit the cities directory.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or sit near Genesee County. Each has its own jail and sheriff's office. If you are unsure which county holds a person in custody, check which jurisdiction made the arrest.