Mercer County Released Inmates Database
Mercer County released inmates records are maintained by the sheriff's office in Celina. The county sits in western Ohio near the Indiana border. The sheriff's department provides an inmate search function on their website, making it one of the easier small counties to search in Ohio. If you need to find someone who was held in the Mercer County Jail or who has been released, this page covers local and state search tools. Both options are free and open to the public.
Mercer County Overview
Mercer County Sheriff and Jail
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail in Celina. The office is at 207 W. Blackhoof Street, Celina, OH 45822 and you can call (419) 586-7724 for inmate information. People arrested in Mercer County are booked into this facility. The jail holds inmates who are awaiting trial, serving local sentences, or waiting for transfer to state prison.
The sheriff's department has an inmate search function on their website. This lets you look up people currently in custody at the Mercer County Jail. You can search by name to see booking data and charges. For released inmates who are no longer in the system, a phone call to the office is the next step.
The Mercer County government website at mercercountyohio.org provides links to county departments. The screenshot below shows the county government portal.
Every booking creates a record with the arrest date, charges, bond amount, and custody status. When the person is released, the date and conditions go into the file.
| Office | Mercer County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 207 W. Blackhoof Street, Celina, OH 45822 |
| Phone | (419) 586-7724 |
| Website | mercercountysheriff.org |
Search Mercer County Released Inmates
The sheriff's website inmate search is your first option for Mercer County. It shows current inmates with booking data and charges. For people who have already been released, call the office at (419) 586-7724. The staff can look up past bookings and give you release dates.
For state prison records, the ODRC Offender Search is free and covers anyone committed to state prison from Mercer County. Search by name, offender number, or county of commitment. The system shows current and past inmates, including those released, paroled, or on post-release control. The Ohio.gov offender search portal links to the same database. The state tool only tracks prison inmates, not those held at the county jail.
Note: Mercer County is one of the smaller Ohio counties that offers an online inmate search through the sheriff's website.
Mercer County Court Records
The Mercer County Clerk of Courts keeps criminal case records at 101 N. Main Street, Celina, OH 45822. Call (419) 586-6461 for case details. Court files include charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. When a case results in jail time, the court record ties back to the inmate's booking and release data.
Common Pleas Court handles felony cases in Mercer County. Municipal courts deal with misdemeanors. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, most court records are public. You do not need to be involved in the case. The clerk can pull records by name or case number. For released inmates in Mercer County, court records confirm the sentence and any supervision terms that came with the release.
Ohio Laws on Released Inmates
Under ORC Section 5120.21, the Ohio DRC keeps a record for every state prison inmate with their name, residence, sex, age, date of entry, and date of discharge. The department shares the inmate's name, convictions, photo, supervision status, and facility placements publicly.
The Public Records Act under ORC Section 149.43 makes most government records in Mercer County available to anyone. No ID. No reason needed. Offices respond promptly and charge only for copies. Parole under ORC Section 2967.01 keeps released inmates under supervision. Community control under ORC Section 2929.15 is the probation alternative for felony offenders in Mercer County.
Mercer County Inmate Alerts
VINE is a free tool that lets you track an inmate's custody status in Mercer County. You sign up for alerts by phone, text, or email. When the inmate is released or transferred, you get notified. VINE covers county jails and state prisons in Ohio.
The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation provides criminal background checks for $22. You need the person's full name, address, fingerprints, and a signed consent form. BCI has offices in London, Bowling Green, Richfield, and Youngstown. This service can turn up records beyond what the free ODRC search provides for released inmates in Mercer County.
Mercer County Public Records
Getting released inmates records in Mercer County starts with a request to the right office. The sheriff handles jail records. The clerk of courts keeps case files. Both offices sit in Celina. Walk-in requests are the fastest way. Call first to check hours. You can also send a written request by mail.
Under Ohio law, public offices must respond to records requests promptly during regular business hours. They can charge for copies but not for looking at records. If an office denies your request, they must give you a written reason with the legal basis for the denial. You do not need to say who you are or why you want the records. The Mercer County Sheriff at 207 W. Blackhoof Street in Celina can help you find specific inmate records. Their search tool on the website is a good place to start before making a trip.
For state prison records on released inmates from Mercer County, send your request to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The ODRC can share the inmate's name, convictions, photo, supervision status, and facility history. Medical records and security data stay sealed under ORC Section 5120.21.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Mercer County in western Ohio. Check them if you are not sure where an inmate was held.