Franklin County Inmate Search
Ohio law permits law enforcement officers to make arrests in Franklin County when having probable cause to believe that someone committed a crime. Probable cause refers to the reasonable belief that a crime has occurred and that someone is responsible.
Individuals arrested or incarcerated in Franklin County may be held in different facilities, depending on the type of offense they committed, their custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, or awaiting sentencing), and their behavior while incarcerated. An inmate's security classification (low, medium, high) and medical needs also determine where they are confined. Records of detainees are generated following their arrest and made available to the public on request alongside other Franklin County, Ohio Public Records. An inmate search offers the public a means to confirm the location of a detainee held within the county’s jurisdiction.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Division of Corrections, oversees the operation of the county jail facilities in Franklin County. Anyone who wants to perform a Franklin County inmate search can contact or visit this office.
Ohio also has a state prison system overseen by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC). The ODRC manages all state-run correctional facilities, including prisons and rehabilitation centers.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Franklin County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
Based on the statistics released by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, 18,401 persons were booked into the Franklin County jails for crimes perpetrated in the county in 2021. Of these, 14,378 (78%) were males, and 4,023 (22%) were females. More recent statistics can be obtained from the Sheriff's Office.
Franklin County Prison System
The Franklin County prison system consists of two jails overseen by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Division of Corrections:
- The Franklin County Corrections Center I, located in downtown Columbus. Also known as the main jail, it is a 643-bed maximum security institution that houses pre-trial and sentenced inmates.
- The Franklin County Corrections Center II, located in Grove City. This jail, a 1,688-bed minimum/maximum security facility, primarily houses sentenced inmates.
Meanwhile, the county is awaiting the completion of a new jail named the James A. Karnes Corrections Center, located at 2551 Fisher Road.
The average population of inmates in the Franklin County jail system fluctuates based on various factors, including the time of year, the number of arrests made, and the availability of alternative sentencing programs. However, by the end of 2021, the two Franklin County Corrections Centers housed about 1,700 inmates, with the new correction center (James A. Karnes Corrections Center) projected to house 867 inmates after the Phase 1 construction.
As mentioned, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office runs the county's jail system. This includes ensuring the safety and security of inmates, staff, and visitors and providing appropriate medical care, food, and other basic needs to the incarcerated. The Sheriff's Office also works closely with other criminal justice agencies, such as the courts and probation departments, to ensure that inmates receive the necessary services and support to help them transition into the community after release.
How to Find an Inmate in Franklin County
Those interested in finding inmates in Franklin County have several options, including:
- Using the Franklin County Sheriff's Office online inmate search tool
- Calling the Sheriff's Office at (614) 525-3333 to inquire about an inmate's location or status
- Visiting the Sheriff's Office at 373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
- Sending a written request for inmate information via mail
How Does a Franklin County Inmate Search Work?
The Ohio Public Records Act allows the dissemination of inmate information. It generally requires that government agencies, including county jails and prisons, make their records available to the public upon request. However, this rule has some exceptions, such as when the information is deemed confidential by law.
The following can often be retrieved from a Franklin County inmate search:
- Inmate's name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Booking number
- Inmate number
- Arrest date
- Charges filed against the inmate
- Bond type and amount
- Court dates and locations
- Next of kin/contact information
- Mugshot
- Physical description (e.g., height, weight, hair color, eye color)
- Security level
- Inmate's location within a facility
Where to Find a Franklin County Inmate Locator
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate search tool, which users can access to search for persons currently being held in the Franklin County Corrections Centers. This tool can be searched with an offender's name, race, age, and status. After entering a query, the search engine will return a list of matching inmates, along with the inmates' booking information, charges, court dates, and more.
In addition to the Sheriff's Office inmate search tool, inquirers can use state and federal inmate locators to find individuals housed in state and federal prisons. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) provides a web-based inmate search tool that allows users to search for individuals currently incarcerated in Ohio's state prisons. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also provides an online inmate locator that can be used to find individuals currently held in federal prisons.
Another way to search for a Franklin County inmate is with a third-party inmate locator. To use such a locator, a person will typically need to visit the provider's website and enter the required information about the inmate, such as their full name and date of birth, into the provided boxes. Depending on the service, one may need to create an account and pay a fee before accessing the search results. The cost of these services varies, with some providers charging a flat fee for a single search and others offering monthly or annual subscription plans for unlimited searches.
Individuals should note that while third-party inmate locators can provide more comprehensive search results, they may not always be up-to-date or accurate. Verifying any information found through these services through official sources, such as the Sheriff's Office, is essential.
How to Send Money to a Franklin County Inmate
Family and friends can send money to inmates in Franklin County in the following manner:
Obtain the inmate's information: Individuals must know the inmate's full name and number to send money into their account. One can obtain this information by searching the Franklin County Sheriff's Office inmate locator or calling the jail's information line.
Choose a payment method: There are different ways to send money to a Franklin County inmate, including online, by phone, or by mail.
- Online: Individuals can send money through an approved third-party agent. However, one must navigate the agent's website and create an account to use the service. After registering or signing in, a person will need to enter the inmate's information and follow the prompts to complete the transaction.
- By phone: Individuals can also send money to an inmate by calling the third-party agent's toll-free number at (800) 574-5729. All that is required is to follow the prompts to enter the inmate's information and complete the transaction using a credit or debit card.
- By mail: Individuals who prefer to send a money order or cashier's check can mail it to the jail directly. All senders must include the inmate's full name and ID number on the payment and send it to the following address:
Franklin County Jail II
Attention: Inmate Accounts
C/O (Inmate's full name and ID number)
2222 Jackson Pike
Columbus, OH 43223
Note that inmates can receive money orders via US Postal or Western Union only, which will be placed among an inmate's personal property. Inmates can make only one money release every seven calendar days.
Confirm the transaction: After individuals have completed the transaction, they must keep the receipt or confirmation number for records.
How to Visit a Franklin County Inmate
Individuals who want to visit inmates in Franklin County have different options depending on the jail facility. Anyone who wants to see inmates at the Franklin County Corrections Center I (FCCCI) can visit in person. However, those who wish to visit inmates at the Franklin County Corrections Center II (FCCCII) must pay virtual visits through a third-party vendor. Virtual visitors must register online and schedule a visit on the third-party vendor's website or mobile app. (See registration instructions on the sheriff's website.)
Individuals incarcerated at a Franklin County jail have two 20-minute virtual visits per week free of charge and one 30-minute in-person visit per week. Individuals can purchase additional virtual visits and other items on restricted access tablets assigned to FCCCII housing units. Professional visits, such as those with attorneys or clergy, occur in person at the FCCCII.
In-person visitors to the FCCCI facility must follow specific rules to visit an inmate, including:
- Visitors must be 18 years or older.
- Visitors need a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
- Visitors cannot wear revealing clothing or clothing with offensive language.
- Visitors cannot bring any item, including purses, bags, or phones, into the visitation area.
- Visitors cannot get gifts or items for the inmate during the visit.
Once a visitor arrives at the correctional center, they must check in with the staff and provide their ID. They will then be directed to the visitation area, where they will be separated from the inmate with a glass partition and will communicate through a phone system.
How to Send Jail Mail in Franklin County
To send any package to an inmate in the Franklin County jail system, one must verify the inmate's eligibility to receive mail from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Some inmates may be restricted from receiving packages due to security reasons or disciplinary actions.
Items that can be sent to inmates in Franklin County include hygiene items, snacks, and reading materials, such as newspapers and magazines. However, there are restrictions on the type and quantity of items that can be sent. For example, food items must be pre-packaged and unopened, and clothing items are prohibited.
Also, persons sending printed materials, including magazines, books, pamphlets, leaflets, or catalogs, must adhere to specific guidelines. The materials must be new, have a softbound cover, and be ordered from verified commercial distributors, publishers, or retailers like Barnes and Noble. Further, all materials must be unaltered from the original form and pre-paid. No printed material must promote or incite lawless action, be pornographic, promote violence or discrimination, or have any gang-related content.
When sending mail to a Franklin County inmate, the inmate's full name should be on the address label, and the material must be shipped via the United States Postal Service only, not via UPS or FedEx.
Note: The Franklin County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) does not accept underwear, socks, t-shirts, contact solutions, or reading glasses. Inmates who need reading glasses can buy them through the commissary.
Franklin County Jails and Prisons
Below are the names, contact information, and addresses of the Franklin County jails:
Franklin County Corrections Center I
370 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3368
Fax: (614) 525-4327
Franklin County Corrections Center II
2460 Jackson Pike
Columbus, OH 43223
Phone: (614) 525-7100
Fax: (614) 525-7620
