Access Ontario County Jail Roster

The Ontario County jail roster tracks inmates held at the Ontario County Jail in Canandaigua, New York. Ontario County is located in the Finger Lakes region and includes several towns and villages across a largely rural landscape. The sheriff's office manages the county jail and handles all bookings for the area. This page covers how to search the Ontario County jail roster, what information you can find, and other resources that may help with inmate lookups in the region.

Ontario County Sheriff's Office and Jail

The Ontario County Sheriff's Office runs the jail at 3045 County Complex Drive in Canandaigua, NY 14424. The facility handles intake, housing, and release of inmates for the entire county. You can reach the sheriff's office at (585) 396-1800. The Ontario County Sheriff's website provides details about the corrections division, patrol services, and civil matters handled by the office.

Ontario County covers about 644 square miles in the heart of the Finger Lakes. The population sits around 112,000 people. Canandaigua is the county seat and the primary hub for county government and courts. Several law enforcement agencies work within the county, including town and village police departments. All of them book arrestees into the Ontario County Jail. So every local arrest in the county ends up on the same jail roster regardless of which agency made the arrest.

The jail provides basic medical care, mental health services, and meals to all inmates. Programs may include substance abuse counseling and educational opportunities. The corrections staff processes bookings around the clock and updates the jail roster as new intakes and releases occur.

How to Search the Ontario County Jail Roster

Ontario County does not currently offer a public online inmate search tool on its website. To find out if someone is in custody at the Ontario County Jail, call the sheriff's office at (585) 396-1800. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready when you call. Staff can confirm whether someone is currently booked in. Phone inquiries are handled during regular business hours, but the jail itself operates around the clock.

For a broader search that covers state facilities, use the DOCCS Inmate Lookup tool. This database includes everyone in the New York state prison system. If someone was sentenced and transferred out of the Ontario County Jail to a state facility, they will show up here. The NY.gov incarcerated individual search is another free tool that pulls from state records.

You can also submit a FOIL request to get jail roster records. Write a letter to the Ontario County Sheriff's Office specifying what records you need. Be clear about the dates, names, or other details. The office is required to acknowledge your request within five business days. Some information may be redacted under the New York Correction Law, but basic booking data is generally available to the public. FOIL requests can be submitted by mail or in person at the sheriff's office.

Jail Roster Information and Booking Records

Each booking at the Ontario County Jail creates a record on the jail roster. Typical information includes the inmate's full legal name, date of birth, booking date, charges filed, bail or bond amount, and court dates. These records are public under New York's Freedom of Information Law. You have the right to access basic booking details without providing a reason for your request.

Bail amounts are set by the judge, not the jail. The roster will note whether bail has been assigned and how much it is. Some people may be held without bail on serious charges. Others may be released on conditions or on their own recognizance. New York's bail reform laws affect how many types of offenses are handled. For many misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, judges are required to release defendants without bail. This means the jail population and the roster can shift frequently as people cycle through the system.

If you need records beyond what shows on the basic roster, file a FOIL request. Medical records and certain investigative files are not public. But arrest information, charges, booking dates, and release information are typically accessible. The sheriff's office will let you know what can and cannot be provided.

Contacting Inmates at the Ontario County Jail

Visitation at the Ontario County Jail follows a set schedule that can vary by housing assignment. Call (585) 396-1800 to check the current visiting hours before going. Visitors need to bring a valid photo ID. There is a dress code and you cannot bring cell phones, bags, or food into the facility. Rules are strict and anyone who does not comply may be turned away.

Mail can be sent to inmates at 3045 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Include the inmate's full name on the envelope. Use white envelopes and write with blue or black ink. Staff inspects all incoming mail. Do not include cash, stamps, or anything other than paper and photographs. Items that do not meet the rules will be returned or thrown away. Phone calls from inmates typically go through a contracted phone provider. The inmate needs to set up an account, and calls are usually collect or prepaid.

State Resources for Ontario County Searches

New York provides state-level tools that work alongside the Ontario County jail roster. The DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup portal covers everyone in state prison. The State Commission of Correction oversees all 62 county jails in New York and publishes contact details, inspection findings, and facility data for each one.

VINE is a free notification system that lets you track an inmate's custody status. Register for alerts by phone, email, or text. When the person is released or transferred, you get notified automatically. The VINE hotline is 1-888-846-3469. This saves time compared to calling the jail or checking the roster repeatedly.

The WebCrims portal is useful for looking up criminal court cases in New York. You can search by name to find case numbers, court dates, and charges. The Sex Offender Registry is a separate resource that tracks registered offenders across the state. It does not overlap with the jail roster but provides background information on certain individuals.

Nearby Counties

Ontario County borders several counties in the Finger Lakes area. Each one has its own jail and jail roster. If you think someone may have been booked in a neighboring county instead of Ontario County, check the counties listed below.