Steele County Inmate Records
Steele County inmate population records are managed by the Sheriff's Office and Detention Center in Owatonna, located in southeastern Minnesota. Sheriff Lon Thiele leads the office, which adopted its current mission in September 2005. The department runs on core values of fairness, integrity, and honesty. Inmate population data from Steele County is public under Minnesota law, and there are multiple ways to access booking information, custody status, and related records. This page walks through the main sources and legal rules that apply.
Steele County Overview
Steele County Sheriff's Office
The Steele County Sheriff's Office is the primary keeper of inmate population records in the county. Sheriff Lon Thiele leads the department from its headquarters at 2500 Alexander St SW in Owatonna, MN 55060. The office adopted its mission statement on September 27, 2005, and has built its operations around three core values: fairness, integrity, and honesty.
The Detention Center is overseen directly by the Sheriff. This means the same office that makes arrests also runs the jail. Booking, classification, and release all happen under one roof. The facility has a 24/7 exterior lobby that is open to the public at all times. If you need to check on an inmate or drop off items, the lobby is accessible around the clock.
For general questions about inmates, call the main number at 507-444-3800. Non-emergency calls go to 507-451-8232. If you have a tip about criminal activity, there is a tip line at 1-866-878-7964. Each of these contact points can help you get started on finding inmate population information.
| Office | Steele County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Lon Thiele |
| Address | 2500 Alexander St SW, Owatonna, MN 55060 |
| Phone | 507-444-3800 |
| Non-Emergency | 507-451-8232 |
| Tip Line | 1-866-878-7964 |
| Lobby | Open 24/7 |
How to Search Inmate Population
Looking up Steele County inmate population data can be done in a few ways. The fastest option is calling the Sheriff's Office at 507-444-3800. Give them a name and date of birth, and staff can check if the person is currently in the Detention Center. For after-hours checks, the non-emergency line at 507-451-8232 is available.
State databases extend the search to people who have left county custody. The Minnesota DOC Inmate Locator shows individuals committed to state prison. If a Steele County case resulted in a prison sentence, the person will appear in the DOC system once they have been processed. The DOC Search Portal adds fugitive search capabilities and lets victims sign up for custody alerts.
Court records are another important source. The Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes case data for Steele County courts. Sentencing details, case status, and probation orders connect directly to inmate population records by showing the outcome of each case.
Note: Newly sentenced inmates may not appear in the state DOC system for several business days after leaving county custody.
The Steele County Sheriff's website provides details about the Detention Center and public safety operations.
Sheriff Lon Thiele's office operates under core values of fairness, integrity, and honesty, with a 24/7 public lobby at the Owatonna facility.
Inmate Population Data Rules
Steele County follows the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act for all inmate record releases. Arrest data is classified as public. That means anyone can get the inmate's name, charges, time and place of arrest, arresting officer, and current holding location. The Sheriff's Office releases this data when asked.
Some data stays private under state law. Medical records from the Detention Center are never shared with the public. Mental health evaluations and financial details about inmates are also off limits. Under Minn. Stat. 13.85, corrections and detention data gets classified based on security risks and privacy concerns. Information that has come out in open court is generally available to the public. The Steele County Sheriff's staff know these rules well and apply them to each request they get.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains statewide criminal history data. Steele County arrest records flow into the BCA system. Background checks from the BCA are available, though some types require fingerprints and a processing fee.
Detention Center Operations
The Steele County Detention Center processes all bookings for the county. The standard process includes fingerprints, photos, and personal data collection. Staff check for outstanding warrants and log every charge. All of this data enters the inmate population records right away.
State law sets specific requirements for how the facility runs. Under Minn. Stat. 641.14, inmates are separated by gender, and juveniles are kept away from adults. The jail must provide meals, medical care, and communication access. Reporting to the courts happens weekly under Minn. Stat. 641.05. Minnesota's ban on private prisons under Minn. Stat. 641.015 means Steele County runs its own Detention Center entirely with county staff.
Before release, Minn. Stat. 641.155 requires discharge planning. Steele County jail staff connect inmates with community resources, which might include treatment programs, housing assistance, or referrals to social services. The goal is to help people avoid coming back to jail after they get out.
State Corrections Links
Under Minn. Stat. Chapter 243, the Commissioner of Corrections runs all state prisons. When a Steele County case results in prison time, the inmate transfers from the local Detention Center to a state facility. Both systems maintain transfer records. The DOC public viewer lets you search for these inmates by name.
Victims can sign up for DOC notifications about offenders from Steele County cases. The service sends alerts for releases, transfers, and other custody changes. It is free and covers all state correctional facilities in Minnesota.
Nearby Counties
Steele County borders several southeastern Minnesota counties. Inmates may transfer between these facilities depending on capacity or case requirements.