Buchanan County Jail Inmate Search 

⚠️Official Source Only: Always use inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us — the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office official inmate inquiry. Third-party sites may contain outdated or paid information. Never pay for free public records.
Updated April 2026 • Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office • St. Joseph, MO
Buchanan County Jail:
Inmate Search • Mugshots • Records • Complete Guide

The most comprehensive guide to the Buchanan County Jail system. Direct access to official inmate search, mugshots, bond information, Saturday visitation, video visits via Turnkey Corrections, commissary through Inmate Canteen, phone calls via Securus, mail rules, and every official resource — straight from the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office in St. Joseph, Missouri.

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Report Overview

Name:
State:
Search Date:

Your report may contain some or all of the following information:

  • Full Name
  • Age
  • Date of Birth
  • Known Addresses
  • Phone Numbers
  • Email Addresses
  • Relatives
  • Associates
  • Criminal Records
  • Arrest Records
  • Court Records
  • Mugshots
  • Traffic Violations
  • Warrants
  • Sex Offender Status
  • Background Check
View Full Report
inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us Buchanan County Mugshots St. Joseph Jail Roster Bond Information Saturday Visitation Turnkey Video Visits Inmate Canteen Commissary Securus Phone Calls
234
Bed Capacity
3
Housing Units
45
Staff Members
816-236-8800
Main Jail Phone
Section 01

Official Buchanan County Inmate Search — Step by Step

The official, free way to find someone currently held in Buchanan County Jail is through the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office inmate inquiry system, powered by Tyler Technologies. This database shows all current inmates with booking details, mugshots, charges, bond information, and custody status.

inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us

OFFICIAL • FREE

Real-time inmate roster with mugshots, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, housing facility, court case numbers, release dates, and arrest agency information.

How to Search for an Inmate

  1. Open the official portal: Go to inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us on any browser. No login or account needed.
  2. Browse or search: The page shows the full current inmate roster (paginated, typically 100+ inmates). Use the search filters to find by name, subject number, or booking number.
  3. Click on an inmate to view full details — mugshot, physical description, all charges, bond amounts, booking date, arresting agency, court case number, and housing location.
  4. Write down the booking number — you’ll need it for posting bond, scheduling visitation, depositing commissary money, and sending mail.
💡 Pro Tip: If no results appear, check spelling carefully. The system is case-sensitive on some fields. Allow 2–4 hours after arrest for booking to complete. You can also call (816) 236-8800 or (816) 271-5555 to check by phone during business hours (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm).

What Information Does the Inmate Search Show?

  • 📸Mugshot (Booking Photo) — Taken during intake at the Law Enforcement Center
  • 🆔Subject Number & Booking Number — Unique identifiers for all jail transactions
  • ⚖️Charges — Statute codes and descriptions for each charge
  • 💰Bond Amount — Bond set by the court for each charge
  • 📅Booking & Arrest Date — When the person was booked and the arrest date
  • 🏠Housing Facility — Which unit the inmate is currently housed in
  • 🚔Arresting Agency — Which department made the arrest (Sheriff, SJPD, etc.)
  • 📋Court Case Number — For tracking the case through Missouri Case.net

Alternative Search Methods

Phone: Jail Administration

MON–FRI

Call (816) 236-8800 during business hours (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm). The Sheriff’s Office also has a Family Hotline for concerns — leave a message and staff will return your call.

Missouri Case.net — Court Records

STATE SYSTEM

Search Missouri court and case records, including arrests and case dispositions, through the state’s Case.net system.

⚠️ Important: Third-party sites like arrests.org or Busted Newspaper may charge fees for free public information or display outdated data. Always use the free official tools first. If someone was transferred to Missouri state prison, use the Missouri DOC Offender Search. For federal custody, use the Federal BOP Inmate Locator.
Section 02

Buchanan County Jail — Location, Facility & Contact

The Buchanan County Jail is operated by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division under Sheriff Bill Puett, with Chief Deputy Commander Mike Donaldson. Located inside the Law Enforcement Center in downtown St. Joseph, the facility has three separate housing units with a total bed capacity of 234 inmates and a 45-person staff.

Address501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Main Jail Phone(816) 236-8800
Visitation Scheduling(816) 236-8888
Sheriff’s Office(816) 271-5555
Fax(816) 271-5496
Admin HoursMonday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SheriffBill Puett
Chief DeputyCommander Mike Donaldson
Public RecordsCaptain Tiger Parsons (Administrative Department)
📍 Buchanan County Jail (Law Enforcement Center) — 501 Faraon St, St. Joseph, MO 64501

Staff & Structure

The Corrections Division consists of 2 Divisional Commanders (Lieutenant of Custody and Lieutenant of Compliance), 7 Sergeants, 4 Deputies, 25 Detention Deputies, 3 Property Clerks, 2 Kitchen Staff, 1 Digital Download Specialist, and 1 Receptionist. The jail processes an average of approximately 273 bookings per month.

ℹ️ Missouri Sunshine Law: Under Missouri’s Sunshine Law, copies of Sheriff’s Office records are available to the public upon request. Contact Captain Tiger Parsons at the Administrative Department for records requests.
Section 03

How to Post Bond at Buchanan County Jail

Bond amounts are set by the court and can be viewed in the inmate search results. Here’s how to post bond:

🔍

Step 1: Check Bond Amount

Search the inmate at inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us or call (816) 236-8800. Bond amount appears next to each charge.

💵

Step 2: Choose Bond Method

Cash bond (pay full amount — refundable), 10% deposit (pay 10% of bond to the court), or bail bondsman (pay ~10% non-refundable fee to a licensed bondsman).

🏦

Step 3: Post at the Jail

Go to the Buchanan County Jail at 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO. Use the lobby kiosk for cash/credit card payments, or work with a bail bondsman.

Step 4: Wait for Release

Processing typically takes several hours after bond is posted. Bring valid ID and know the inmate’s full name and booking number.

💡 Attorney Bond Note: The Buchanan County Jail visitation policy allows attorneys to contact their clients immediately after arrest at any time through the no-contact bond room, regardless of regular visiting hours. Attorneys don’t need to wait for scheduled professional visitation.
Section 04

Buchanan County Jail Visitation — Complete Rules & Schedule

Buchanan County Jail offers both in-person non-contact visitation (Saturdays only) and video visitation (throughout the week via Turnkey Corrections). All in-person visits must be scheduled in advance.

In-Person Visitation (Saturdays Only)

DayHoursType
Saturday (Morning)9:00 AM – 12:00 PMNon-Contact Visit
Saturday (Afternoon)1:00 PM – 5:00 PMNon-Contact Visit
SundayReligious Services OnlyScheduled by Chaplain
Mon–Fri8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 5:00 PMProfessional/Attorney Visits Only

How to Schedule a Saturday Visit

  1. Call (816) 236-8888 to schedule your appointment. Appointments are taken Monday–Thursday 8am–12:30pm and 1:30pm–5pm, or Friday 8am–12:30pm.
  2. Provide your name and the inmate’s name/booking number. You must be approved and on the inmate’s visitation list.
  3. Arrive 10 minutes early on Saturday to check in. If you do not check in 10 minutes before your scheduled time, the visit will be canceled.
  4. Bring valid photo ID. Visitors must be 18 years or older. Dress conservatively.

Visit Rules

  • 🪪ID Required: Valid government-issued photo ID for every visit
  • 👔Dress Code: Proper attire required — violations may result in removal and loss of future visitation privileges
  • 🚫Contraband: Anyone discovered delivering contraband will be prosecuted
  • ⚠️Privilege: Visitation is a privilege that may be revoked if the inmate violates facility rules
  • 🔒Non-Contact: All visits are non-contact (through glass with intercom)

Video Visitation (Throughout the Week)

Turnkey Corrections provides video visitation, email, and SMS messaging services. Video visitation allows inmates to connect with family and friends throughout the week — not just Saturdays — with no limit on the number of video visits.

  1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com and create a free account.
  2. Select Buchanan County Jail and locate the inmate by name or booking number.
  3. Add funds to your account and schedule a video visitation session.
  4. Ensure your device has a working camera, microphone, and stable internet connection.
  5. Log in 5 minutes early to test your setup before the session starts.
💡 Video Visits vs. In-Person: Video visitation has no weekly limit (unlike the Saturday-only in-person visits). This is the most flexible and convenient way to stay connected with an inmate at Buchanan County Jail. Plus, inmates can also access video visitation from the 14 kiosks installed in the jail dayrooms.
Section 05

How to Put Money on an Inmate’s Commissary Account

Inmates need funds to purchase commissary items (food, hygiene products, writing materials) and use communication services. Inmates cannot possess cash — all transactions go through their commissary account.

Deposit Methods

🖥️

Online: Inmate Canteen

Deposit funds at www.inmatecanteen.com. Select Buchanan County Jail, find the inmate, and deposit using a credit/debit card.

🏧

Lobby Kiosk

Cash and credit/debit card kiosks are located in the jail lobby at 501 Faraon Street. Additional kiosks at the booking desk.

📬

Mail a Money Order / Cashier’s Check

Mail to: Buchanan County Jail, 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501 with inmate name and booking number.

⚠️ Commissary Order Deadlines: For Tuesday commissary orders, money must be deposited by 8:00 AM Monday. For Friday commissary orders, money must be deposited by 8:00 AM Thursday. Deposits made after the deadline won’t be available until the next order cycle.
Section 06

How Inmates Make Phone Calls

  • 📞Provider: Securus Technologies provides all phone services
  • 📲Inmates can only make outgoing collect calls — you (the receiver) pay the charges
  • ⏱️Each call is limited to 15 minutes
  • 🚫No incoming calls to inmates
  • ⚠️If you have a collect call block on your phone (from your phone provider), you will not be able to receive calls from Buchanan County inmates
  • 💰Family members can set up accounts with Securus to receive calls and add funds at securustech.net
  • 🔍All calls are monitored and recorded — do not discuss case details
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re unable to receive collect calls, contact your phone provider to remove the collect call block, or set up a prepaid Securus account. You can also use Turnkey Corrections email and SMS messaging through Inmate Canteen as an alternative way to communicate.
Section 07

How to Send Mail to Buchanan County Jail Inmates

Mailing Address:
Inmate’s Full Name & Booking Number
Buchanan County Jail
501 Faraon Street
St. Joseph, MO 64501

Mail Rules

  • ✉️All incoming and outgoing mail is inspected for contraband
  • 📏Mail must be sent in a standard envelope — no padded or oversized envelopes
  • 🚫Prohibited: Stickers, glitter, lipstick marks, crayon, tape, staples, paperclips, or any items beyond paper and photos
  • ⚖️Legal mail: May be opened and read in the presence of the inmate
  • 📦Care packages are NOT permitted
  • 📧Electronic messaging: Also available through Inmate Canteen at inmatecanteen.com
💡 Faster Option: Email through Inmate Canteen is much faster than traditional mail. Inmates can read and respond from the kiosks in the dayrooms. You can also send photos digitally.
Section 08

Frequently Asked Questions — Buchanan County Jail

The official tool is at inmate.co.buchanan.mo.us, operated by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office. It’s free, shows mugshots, charges, bond, and custody status. You can also call (816) 236-8800.
Saturdays only — 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Visits must be scheduled in advance by calling (816) 236-8888 (Mon–Thu 8am–12:30pm & 1:30pm–5pm, Fri 8am–12:30pm). Arrive 10 minutes early or the visit is canceled. All visits are non-contact.
Video visits are managed by Turnkey Corrections through inmatecanteen.com. Create a free account, select Buchanan County Jail, find the inmate, add funds, and schedule a session. There’s no weekly limit on video visits (unlike one in-person visit per Saturday). Inmates use kiosks in the dayrooms.
Deposit online at inmatecanteen.com, use the lobby kiosk at 501 Faraon St (cash or credit), or mail a money order. Deadline: Tuesday orders require money by 8 AM Monday; Friday orders by 8 AM Thursday.
No. Inmates can only make outgoing collect calls via Securus Technologies, limited to 15 minutes each. If your phone has a collect call block, you won’t receive calls. Set up a Securus account at securustech.net.
No. Care packages are not permitted at Buchanan County Jail. Inmates can order items through the commissary using funds you deposit.
If released, they won’t appear in the current inmate roster. For Missouri state prison transfers, use the Missouri DOC Offender Search. For federal custody, use the Federal BOP Inmate Locator. You can also search court records at Missouri Case.net.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division under Sheriff Bill Puett with Chief Deputy Commander Mike Donaldson. The jail has 234 beds across 3 housing units and 45 staff members. Address: 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501 — phone (816) 271-5555.
All visitors must be pre-approved and on the inmate’s visitation list. Contact the jail at (816) 236-8888 for the visitor application process. Visitors must be 18+ with valid photo ID.

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