Searching for someone in custody is stressful. Honestly, the first time you try to navigate a county database, it feels like you're trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. If you're looking for the swift county jail roster, you aren't just looking for a list of names; you’re looking for peace of mind, or maybe just a way to figure out what happened last night after that phone call.
Swift County, Minnesota, keeps things relatively straightforward, but there are nuances that catch people off guard. You might expect a giant, flashing "Inmate Search" button on every page, but the reality is more about knowing which specific tools the Sheriff’s Office uses to keep the public informed.
How to Actually Find the Swift County Jail Roster
Most people head straight to Google and click the first thing they see. Don't do that. Some third-party sites are "scraping" data, meaning the information could be days or even weeks old. If you want the real, live swift county jail roster, you have to go to the source.
The Swift County Sheriff’s Office typically manages its records through the county’s official portal. While they don't always have a fancy, interactive map, they do maintain a list of current inmates that includes critical details. You'll usually find the person’s full name, the date they were booked, and—most importantly for your wallet—the bail amount.
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Sometimes, if the local roster is down for maintenance, you can check the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) locator, though that’s usually for people already sentenced to prison, not those sitting in county lockup waiting for a hearing.
What’s Really on the Roster?
It’s not just a name. When you pull up the roster, you're going to see a few specific columns:
- Booking Number: A unique ID for that specific stay.
- Charges: Usually listed by Minnesota Statute numbers (like 169A.20 for a DWI).
- Custody Status: Whether they are "held for court" or "sentenced."
- Housing Location: Where in the facility they are physically located.
One thing to keep in mind? Just because a name is on the swift county jail roster doesn't mean they’ve been convicted of anything. It just means they’re being held. Our legal system is "innocent until proven guilty," even if the roster makes it feel very official.
Contacting an Inmate in Swift County
You found them. Now what? You can't just walk into the lobby and ask to hang out. Communication in the Swift County Jail is strictly regulated, mostly for safety but also for logistics.
Phone Calls and Video
Swift County uses Reliance Telephone for their inmate communication needs. If you’re waiting for a call, you’ll likely need to set up a "prepaid collect" account. This is the part that trips people up—you can't just take a call on a cell phone like normal unless there’s a funded account attached to your number.
They also offer a "Voicemail" service. You can call (320) 365-1045 to leave a message for an inmate. It costs a small fee, but it’s a lifesaver if you have news that can't wait for them to decide to call you.
Sending Mail
If you want to go old school, you can send letters. But there are rules. No glitter. No perfume. No "lewd" photos (use your imagination).
Address it like this:
Inmate Name
Swift County Jail
301 14th St N
Benson, MN 56215
The Money Question: How to Fund a Commissary Account
Prison food is... well, it’s prison food. Inmates rely on the commissary for things like extra snacks, better soap, or phone minutes. If you want to put money on someone's books at the Swift County Jail, you have a couple of options.
- The Lobby Kiosk: If you live near Benson, you can go into the Law Enforcement Center and use the kiosk. It takes cash or credit cards.
- Online via JailATM: This is the most common way. You’ll need the inmate's full name and their ID number (remember that booking number from the roster?).
Be prepared for fees. Whether you use the kiosk or the website, they’re going to take a cut of the transaction. It’s annoying, but it’s the standard across Minnesota.
Why the Roster Might Be Empty (or Wrong)
"I know he's in there, but I don't see him!" I hear this all the time. There are a few reasons why someone might be missing from the swift county jail roster.
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First, "Booking" takes time. If someone was arrested twenty minutes ago, they aren't going to pop up on the website immediately. They have to be fingerprinted, photographed, and processed into the system. This can take several hours depending on how busy the jail is.
Second, they might be "Boarded." Swift County is a smaller facility. Sometimes, if they are at capacity or if an inmate has special medical or security needs, they might be moved to a neighboring county like Kandiyohi or Chippewa. If they move, they might disappear from the Swift County list and appear on the other county's roster instead.
Lastly, some inmates are protected. If it’s a high-profile case or involves certain sensitive charges, the Sheriff might withhold the name from the public-facing roster for a short period.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you are looking for someone right now, follow this sequence to save yourself some time:
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- Check the official Swift County Sheriff’s website first. Don't trust "Inmate Search" sites that ask for a subscription.
- Note the Statute numbers. If you see "152.025," that's a controlled substance charge. Knowing the code helps you understand the severity of the situation before you talk to a lawyer.
- Set up your Reliance Telephone account. If you want to talk to them, this is the only way. Do it before they try to call you so the call doesn't get blocked.
- Verify the bail. If the roster says "No Bond," they likely have to see a judge before they can be released. This usually happens at the next available court window (Monday through Friday mornings).
The swift county jail roster is a tool, but it's only as good as the person using it. Stay patient, keep your information organized, and remember that the staff at the jail are there to do a job—being polite to the corrections officers usually goes a long way in getting the information you need.