Upshur County Public Records /Upshur County Inmate Search

Upshur County Inmate Search

How To Search for Inmate Records in Upshur County in 2026

UpshurRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to inmate records in Upshur County, West Virginia. Members of the public may find data pertaining to current custody status, booking records, charge information, bond amounts, and facility assignments. Record availability varies by source, and not all information may be current or complete at the time of inquiry.

Records can be searched through official government resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies. The following methods outline the available channels for locating inmate information.

Online Search Methods

1. County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search

The Upshur County Sheriff's Office maintains custody of individuals held at the county level and serves as the primary point of contact for local inmate inquiries. Members of the public seeking current inmate information may contact the Sheriff's Office directly, as an online inmate roster specific to Upshur County is not independently hosted at a publicly accessible web portal at present.

To conduct an inquiry through the Sheriff's Office:

Contact the Upshur County Sheriff's Office by phone or in person
Provide the full legal name and, if known, the date of birth of the individual
Request current custody status, booking number, and charge information
Ask about bond amounts and scheduled court dates

Information that may be available through this channel includes:

Full legal name and booking number
Current charges and bond amounts
Facility location and custody status
Booking date and expected release date (when available)
Booking photograph

Upshur County Sheriff's Office
40 West Main Street
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: (304) 472-1180
Upshur County Sheriff's Office

2. State Department of Corrections Inmate Search

For individuals who have been convicted and transferred to a state correctional facility, the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains inmate records at the state level. County jail inmates who receive sentences exceeding one year are transferred to state custody following sentencing. The state system maintains records distinct from those held at the county level.

The Tygart Valley Regional Jail and Correctional Facility serves Upshur County among several surrounding counties, including Barbour, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, and Tucker. Individuals held at this facility prior to or following state transfer may be located through the regional jail authority's search tools.

Members of the public may also access the WV Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority inmate search by entering at least the first three letters of the individual's last name. The daily incarcerations list provides a current roster of individuals booked into regional jail facilities statewide.

Tygart Valley Regional Jail and Correctional Facility
400 Tygart Valley Drive
Belington, WV 26250
Phone: (304) 823-1844
Tygart Valley Regional Jail

3. Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator

For individuals charged with federal offenses and held in federal custody, the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator provides a free search tool. This resource is applicable when an individual has been arrested by a federal agency, charged in federal court, or is serving a federal sentence. The locator returns information including facility name, release date, and register number for inmates currently or previously in federal custody.

Phone Search

Members of the public may call the Upshur County Sheriff's Office at (304) 472-1180 to request inmate information by phone. Staff can provide basic custody status, charges, and bond information during regular business hours. Callers should have the individual's full legal name and date of birth available to facilitate the inquiry.

In-Person Inquiry

In-person inquiries may be made at the Upshur County Sheriff's Office located at 40 West Main Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Members of the public are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo identification when requesting records in person. Staff at the front desk can provide current custody status, booking information, and charge details.

By Mail

Written requests for inmate records may be directed to the Upshur County Sheriff's Office at 40 West Main Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201. Requests should include the full legal name of the individual, date of birth, and the specific information being sought. Processing times vary depending on the nature and volume of requests received.

Search Tips

Use the individual's full legal name as it appears on official identification
Try name variations, including nicknames, maiden names, and alternate spellings
Include the date of birth to narrow results and avoid confusion with similarly named individuals
Search by booking number if it is already known
Check both current inmate rosters and recently released records
Recent bookings may take several hours to appear in online systems
Individuals who have been transferred to state or federal custody may not appear in county records

What If You Cannot Find an Inmate

If an individual cannot be located through county resources, the following possibilities should be considered:

The individual may have been transferred to a state prison; check the WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The individual may be in federal custody; check the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator
The individual may have been released
The individual may be held in another county or jurisdiction
A recent booking may not yet be reflected in the online system
Name spelling variations may affect search results

Members of the public may contact the Upshur County Sheriff's Office directly at (304) 472-1180 for assistance.

Are Inmate Records Public in Upshur County?

Inmate records in West Virginia are subject to public disclosure under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, codified at W. Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq., which establishes the right of the public to inspect and copy government records. Inmate records maintained by county sheriffs and state correctional agencies are considered public records to the extent they do not fall within enumerated exemptions.

Information That Is Public:

Current inmate roster and population
Booking information and booking date
Criminal charges and charge descriptions
Bond and bail amounts
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Current custody status
Facility location
Expected release date (when available)
Scheduled court dates

Information With Restricted Access:

Medical records and health conditions
Mental health information and treatment records
Prescription medication details
Detailed disciplinary records (may be restricted)
Visitor contact lists (may be restricted)
Confidential informant status
Juvenile detention records
Witness protection participant information
Specific cell assignments for security reasons

Why Inmate Records Are Public:

Transparency in government operations, public safety considerations, the need for family notification, the requirements of legal proceedings, and the operational needs of the bail bond industry collectively support the public nature of inmate records. As stated in the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, "the people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know."

Privacy Considerations:

West Virginia law recognizes a balance between the public's right to access government records and the privacy interests of individuals. Sensitive personal information, including medical and mental health data, receives heightened protection. The impact of public disclosure on families, employment prospects, and rehabilitation is acknowledged within the framework of applicable exemptions.

What Are Inmate Records in Upshur County?

Inmate records are official government documents created and maintained by law enforcement and correctional agencies to document the custody, charges, and status of individuals held in detention. These records serve administrative, legal, and public safety functions and are generated at the point of arrest and booking.

The Upshur County Sheriff's Office creates and maintains booking records for individuals taken into custody at the county level. The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains records for individuals serving state sentences. Federal correctional agencies maintain records for individuals in federal custody.

The principal distinctions among record types are as follows:

Booking records document the initial intake process, including personal identification, charges, and bond information
Custody records reflect the ongoing status of an individual's detention, including housing assignment and classification
Incarceration history encompasses the full record of an individual's prior and current periods of detention
Release records document the circumstances and date of an individual's discharge from custody

County jail records pertain to individuals held pre-trial or serving sentences of one year or less. State prison records apply to individuals convicted of felonies and serving sentences in excess of one year. Federal prison records apply to individuals convicted of federal offenses and held in Bureau of Prisons facilities.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Upshur County

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Inmate or booking number
Date of birth and age
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height, weight, and physical description
Booking photograph
Identifying marks, scars, and tattoos

Custody Information:

Current facility location
Housing unit or cell block (may be limited for security reasons)
Custody date and booking date
Expected release date (if available)
Actual release date (following release)
Custody status: in custody, released, or transferred

Charges and Legal Information:

Current charges and charge descriptions
Case numbers and court jurisdiction
Arrest date and arresting agency
Warrant information

Bond and Bail Information:

Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type: cash, surety, or no bond
Bond status: posted or pending
Bail bondsman information, if applicable

Court Information:

Scheduled court dates and hearing types
Court location and division
Attorney information (in some cases)

Sentence Information (for sentenced inmates):

Conviction charges and sentence length
Sentence start date and projected release date
Parole eligibility date, if applicable
Good time credits

Previous Custody History:

Prior bookings within the county
Previous charges and historical custody dates

Administrative Information:

Classification level: minimum, medium, or maximum security
Special housing needs
Work assignments and program participation, where applicable

What Is Not Typically Included in Public Records:

Medical history or conditions
Mental health information and treatment records
Prescription medications
Detailed disciplinary records
Visitor contact information
Inmate account balances
Phone call logs
Specific cell assignments for security reasons

Upshur County Prison System

The Upshur County jail system operates under the authority of the Upshur County Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for the custody of individuals arrested within the county, held pre-trial, or serving short-term sentences. Individuals requiring longer-term incarceration following conviction are transferred to the custody of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Administration:

The Upshur County Sheriff's Office administers local detention operations. The Sheriff serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the county and oversees jail operations in accordance with state law.

Upshur County Sheriff's Office
40 West Main Street
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: (304) 472-1180
Upshur County Sheriff's Office

Facility Operations:

The county facility houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving misdemeanor sentences, and felony holdovers awaiting transfer to state custody. Classification of inmates is conducted upon intake in accordance with W. Va. Code § 31-20-10, which governs the operation of regional jails and correctional facilities in West Virginia.

Inmate Services:

Medical care and emergency health services
Mental health referral services
Substance abuse program access
Religious services and chaplaincy
Library and reading materials
Recreation and physical activity

Legal Services:

Law library access for legal research
Coordination with the public defender's office
Attorney visitation during designated hours

Reentry Programs:

Pre-release planning and case management
Referrals to community-based substance abuse treatment
Coordination with housing and employment assistance programs

Oversight and Accountability:

The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides oversight of regional jail operations statewide. Grievance procedures are available to inmates pursuant to applicable state regulations. Inspection reports and compliance records may be obtained through the Division's administrative offices.

Types of Correctional Facilities in Upshur County

Upshur County Jail

The Upshur County Jail operates under the administration of the Upshur County Sheriff's Office and serves as the primary detention facility for individuals arrested within the county.

Upshur County Sheriff's Office / County Jail
40 West Main Street
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: (304) 472-1180
Upshur County Sheriff's Office

The facility houses pre-trial detainees, sentenced misdemeanor offenders, and felony holdovers awaiting transfer to state custody. Security classification is assigned at intake based on the nature of charges and individual risk assessment.

Tygart Valley Regional Jail and Correctional Facility

The Tygart Valley Regional Jail and Correctional Facility is a state-operated facility that serves Upshur County along with Barbour, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, and Tucker counties. This facility is operated by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation and is distinct from the county-operated jail.

Tygart Valley Regional Jail and Correctional Facility
400 Tygart Valley Drive
Belington, WV 26250
Phone: (304) 823-1844
Tygart Valley Regional Jail

Alternative Custody Programs

Home Detention and Electronic Monitoring

Home detention and electronic monitoring programs may be available to eligible individuals as an alternative to incarceration. Eligibility is determined by the court based on the nature of the offense, criminal history, and individual circumstances. Members of the public seeking information about these programs should contact the Upshur County Sheriff's Office or the circuit court.

Work Release

Work release programs permit eligible sentenced individuals to maintain employment in the community while serving a sentence. Eligibility criteria and program availability are subject to judicial and administrative determination.

Federal Detention Facilities

No federal detention facility is located within Upshur County at present. Individuals held on federal charges are transferred to federal custody and may be located through the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Federal custody is administered separately from state and county systems and is governed by federal law.

How To Find an Inmate in Upshur County for Free

Free Online Resources:

1. WV Regional Jail Authority Inmate Search

The WV Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority inmate search is available at no cost and requires no registration. Members of the public may search by entering at least the first three letters of the individual's last name. The daily incarcerations list provides a current roster of individuals booked into regional facilities and is updated on a daily basis. Information available through this tool includes current facility location, booking information, charges, and custody status.

2. State Department of Corrections Free Search

The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides free access to inmate information for individuals held in state custody. Historical incarceration information may also be available through this resource.

3. Federal Bureau of Prisons Locator

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator provides free search access for individuals in federal custody. The tool returns facility name, release date, and register number.

4. Court Records Search

Members of the public may verify custody status and access upcoming court date information through the West Virginia Magistrate Case Record Search, which is maintained by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. The West Virginia Judiciary magistrate record search provides additional guidance on accessing case-level records. As noted by the West Virginia Judiciary, "users are instructed to call or visit the magistrate court clerk in the county where a case is filed to obtain copies of specific court records."

Upshur County Magistrate Court
38 West Main Street
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: (304) 472-1960
West Virginia Judiciary

Free Phone Information:

Members of the public may call the Upshur County Sheriff's Office at (304) 472-1180 for basic inmate information at no charge. Staff can provide current custody status and charge information during regular business hours.

Free In-Person Search:

In-person inquiries at the Upshur County Sheriff's Office at 40 West Main Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201 are available at no cost during regular business hours. Public access terminals may be available for self-service record inquiries.

What Is Free vs. What Costs Money:

The following services are available at no charge:

Online inmate search through official government portals
Current custody status and basic inmate information
Phone inquiry for basic information
In-person information at the Sheriff's Office

The following services involve fees:

Sending money to an inmate through approved deposit services
Video visitation through contracted vendors
Phone calls placed by inmates through facility phone systems
Commissary orders placed on behalf of an inmate
Certified copies of booking records
Comprehensive background check reports

Members of the public are advised to exercise caution when using third-party websites that charge fees for information available at no cost through official government sources. Official government websites can be identified by the .gov domain suffix. Under W. Va. Code § 29B-1-3, public records are to be made available for inspection without the imposition of unreasonable fees, and basic inmate information falls within the scope of records subject to public access.