Hamilton County jail inmate search

Finding someone in custody starts on the Hamilton County Justice Center Inmate Search page, which the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office runs. Open that search page on your phone or computer to check current custody status. When someone has just arrived, their name might not show online yet, so calling the jail is your best step. Read more on how to find someone in jail after an arrest.

Newly arrested people go through intake, the jail desk where staff register new arrivals. A recent arrest may not show online while officers finish paperwork. Call Intake at 513-946-6139, listed on the Contact Us page, to check on a fresh arrival.

Calling the direct desk saves you time when you need answers tonight. The Contact Us page and the Inmate Accounting page list separate numbers by department:

• Jail Services Main: 513-946-6600
• Intake: 513-946-6139
• Records: 513-946-6309
• Inmate Accounting: 513-946-6630
• Reading Rd. Facility: 513-946-6750

Start with Jail Services Main at 513-946-6600 if you are unsure which desk you need.

The main jail is the Hamilton County Justice Center at 900 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Per the Inmate Mail page, it has North and South Buildings. In-person visits use the North Lobby, and both buildings have deposit kiosks. The sheriff also runs the Reading Rd. Facility, listed on the Contact Us page at 513-946-6750.

Both the Hamilton County Justice Center and the Reading Rd. Facility are operated by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. That agency also runs the online custody lookup on its Hamilton County Inmate Services page.

All visits run through HomeWAV for both on-site visits and remote video sessions. Per the Phone Visitations page, you create a HomeWAV account on their website or free mobile app to schedule. Follow these visiting rules:

• In-person visits are held in the Justice Center North Lobby.
• No on-site visits take place on holidays.
• Visitors need a valid government ID.
• Visitors must be past 30 days from any release date.

Personal letters are not accepted directly at the building, per the Inmate Mail page. Mail goes through TextBehind via HomeWAV, and books must come from a vendor. Include the JMS number, which is the jail's identification number for each person. Address envelopes to Inmate Name AND JMS Number, Hamilton County Justice Center, OH, 900 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Spell out the state, and do not send cash, money orders, or legal mail there.

Per the Inmate Accounting page, you can add money at commissarydeposit.com, by money order, or at North and South Building kiosks. Kiosks take cash or credit cards for a fee. Accounts only buy items from commissary, the jail store selling notebooks, markers, and colored pencils.

Voice and video calls run through HomeWAV, the same vendor used for visits. As listed on the Phone Visitations page, inmates start voice and video calls through HomeWAV. To receive calls, create an account on the HomeWAV website or free mobile app.

County Jail Lookup never shows inmate names, booking photos, or arrest records. To see what the county publishes for current inmates, open the Hamilton County Justice Center Inmate Search page. For custody details not shown online, call the Records desk at 513-946-6309.

A bond is money or a written promise given to the court so a person can go home before trial. Ohio courts may set personal recognizance, an unsecured bond, a cash deposit, or a surety bond through a bail company. Per the Phone Visitations page, bail companies can register on HomeWAV so inmates can call them. Call 513-946-6139 for bond questions, or see the Ohio inmate search page.

When someone leaves custody, leftover money from their jail account goes onto a Release Pay Debit Card. According to the Inmate Accounting page, people transferring to another institution do not get that card. Call Jail Services Main at 513-946-6600 with release questions.