Bonner County Public Records /Bonner County Inmate Search

Bonner County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Bonner County?

Inmate records in Bonner County are official documents created and maintained by the Bonner County Sheriff's Office and its detention facility to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the First District Court of Idaho maintains case files, pleadings, and judicial orders, the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the Bonner County Jail. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, photograph the individual, and record bond conditions. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect housing assignments, disciplinary actions, medical flags, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived but generally remains subject to public inspection under Idaho law.

Under Idaho Code § 74-101 et seq., the Idaho Public Records Act, government-held records are presumed open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. Custody records maintained by a county sheriff's office fall within the scope of this statute, meaning members of the public may inspect them subject to the limitations described below.

Bonner County Sheriff's Office 4001 N Boyer Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 265-5525 Bonner County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Bonner County?

Inmate records in Bonner County are generally public under Idaho law. The Idaho Public Records Act establishes a broad presumption of openness for records held by state and local government agencies, including sheriff's offices and detention facilities. Any person may submit a public records request for inmate information without stating a reason.

The following categories of information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Bonner County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and booking
Charges filed — the specific criminal charges associated with each booking
Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by the court or a magistrate
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the name of the facility where the individual is currently held

Certain information may be withheld under Idaho Code § 74-124, which exempts records whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or jeopardize an ongoing investigation. Juvenile records and sealed records are also exempt from public disclosure.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Bonner County

Inmate records maintained by the Bonner County Sheriff's Office contain multiple categories of information compiled from booking through release.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth
Gender, race, and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Idaho state identification number or FBI number, if assigned

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency
Current housing unit or cell assignment
Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, hold for another agency)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges (statute cited)
Charge level (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Case number associated with each charge

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, own recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, unposted, denied)

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Presiding court and judge, where recorded
Case number cross-reference to First District Court records

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length imposed
Sentence start date
Credit for time served
Any concurrent or consecutive sentence designations

Release Information:

Actual or projected release date
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release, if applicable

Bonner County Prison System

Bonner County operates a single local detention facility — the Bonner County Jail — which serves as the primary correctional institution for the county. The jail holds individuals who are awaiting trial, serving sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor convictions, and those being held on behalf of other agencies pending transfer. This structure is consistent with Idaho's two-tier correctional system: county jails handle local, short-term detention, while the Idaho Department of Correction manages state prisons for individuals sentenced to terms exceeding one year for felony offenses.

The Bonner County Sheriff's Office administers the jail under the authority of the elected Sheriff. Operational oversight includes inmate classification, medical services coordination, programming, and compliance with Idaho jail standards established by the Idaho Sheriff's Association and state statute.

Bonner County Sheriff's Office – Detention Division 4001 N Boyer Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 265-5525 Bonner County Sheriff's Office

Idaho Department of Correction 1299 N Orchard St, Suite 110, Boise, ID 83706 (208) 658-2000 Idaho Department of Correction

Types of Correctional Facilities In Bonner County

Bonner County currently operates one primary detention facility. Individuals sentenced to longer terms may be transferred to state facilities administered by the Idaho Department of Correction.

Bonner County Jail 4001 N Boyer Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 265-5525 Bonner County Sheriff's Office

The Bonner County Jail is a general-population county detention facility that houses adult males and females in separate housing units. The facility provides intake processing, classification, medical screening, and programming services. Individuals requiring specialized mental health or medical care may be transferred to appropriate state or regional facilities.

For individuals convicted of felonies and sentenced to terms exceeding one year, the Idaho Department of Correction operates several state correctional institutions, including:

Idaho Maximum Security Institution — 13400 S Pleasant Valley Rd, Kuna, ID 83634
Idaho State Correctional Center — 14130 S Pleasant Valley Rd, Kuna, ID 83634
North Idaho Correctional Institution — 236 Radar Rd, Cottonwood, ID 83522

Who's in Prison In Bonner County

The Bonner County Jail holds several categories of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is incarcerated helps members of the public and families locate individuals and understand their legal status.

Individuals currently held in the Bonner County Jail typically fall into the following categories:

Pre-trial detainees — persons arrested and charged with a crime who have not yet been convicted and are awaiting arraignment, preliminary hearing, or trial
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year
Probation and parole violators — individuals held on a warrant or detainer for alleged violations of supervision conditions
Federal and out-of-county holds — individuals held on behalf of federal agencies, other Idaho counties, or out-of-state jurisdictions pending transfer
Civil commitments — individuals held under court order for mental health evaluation or treatment in limited circumstances

Individuals convicted of felonies and sentenced to more than one year are generally transferred to the custody of the Idaho Department of Correction following sentencing.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Bonner County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Bonner County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods.

Step 1 — Online Inmate Roster The Bonner County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate roster on its official website. Members of the public may search by name to determine whether an individual is currently in custody, view booking information, and review charges.

Visit the Bonner County Sheriff's Office website and navigate to the inmate search or jail roster section.

Step 2 — In-Person Public Records Request Members of the public may submit a written public records request at the Bonner County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours. Requests should identify the subject by full name and date of birth where possible.

Bonner County Sheriff's Office 4001 N Boyer Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (208) 265-5525 Bonner County Sheriff's Office

Step 3 — Idaho Repository / State Records For individuals who have been transferred to state custody, the Idaho Department of Correction maintains an offender search tool at its official website.

Idaho Department of Correction – Offender Search 1299 N Orchard St, Suite 110, Boise, ID 83706 (208) 658-2000 Idaho Department of Correction

Step 4 — Court Records For case-related documents, members of the public may search the Idaho iCourt Portal maintained by the Idaho Supreme Court, which provides access to First District Court case information.

First District Court – Bonner County 215 S First Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 265-1432 Idaho Courts

How To Find an Inmate in Bonner County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate currently held in Bonner County or transferred to state custody.

Bonner County Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office publishes a free, publicly accessible inmate roster on its website. Members of the public may search by name at no charge through the Bonner County Sheriff's Office website.
Idaho Department of Correction Offender Search — For individuals in state custody, the Idaho Department of Correction provides a free online offender search tool that includes current facility location, sentence information, and projected release dates.
Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Bonner County Jail directly at (208) 265-5525 during business hours to inquire about an individual's custody status.
Idaho iCourt Portal — Court case information, including custody-related hearings, is searchable at no cost through the Idaho Courts online portal.
Federal Inmate Locator — For individuals in federal custody, the Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains a free inmate locator at the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.

How To Visit an Inmate In Bonner County

Visitation at the Bonner County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Bonner County Sheriff's Office. All visitors must comply with current policies, which are subject to change. Members of the public are advised to verify current schedules and procedures directly with the facility before visiting.

Visit Rules and Procedures

All visitors must be pre-approved and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list. Visitors are required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also on the approved visitor list.

Visit Schedule

Visitation schedules are set by the Bonner County Jail administration and may vary by housing unit and inmate classification. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (208) 265-5525 to confirm current visitation days and times.

What to Bring

Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport)

What NOT to Bring

Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure visitation area
Food, beverages, or packages not authorized in advance
Items intended for delivery to the inmate unless processed through approved channels

Dress Code

Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-related symbols or insignia is prohibited. Facility staff retain discretion to deny entry to visitors whose attire is deemed inappropriate.

Visit Types

In-person contact or non-contact visits — subject to inmate classification and facility availability
Video visitation — remote video visits may be available through the facility's contracted service provider

Visit Rules

Visitors must comply with all instructions from detention staff. Physical contact, if permitted, is limited to a brief greeting and farewell. Passing items to inmates during visits is prohibited unless specifically authorized.

Visit Restrictions

Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, active disciplinary sanctions, or court orders restricting contact. Individuals with certain criminal histories may be denied visitation approval.

Bonner County Jail 4001 N Boyer Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 265-5525 Bonner County Sheriff's Office

How To Send Money to a Bonner County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account at the Bonner County Jail through approved methods. Inmates use trust account funds to purchase items from the jail commissary, pay for phone calls, and cover other authorized expenses.

Approved Methods

Online deposits — The Bonner County Jail contracts with a third-party service provider for electronic deposits. Members of the public should verify the current provider by contacting the facility or visiting the Bonner County Sheriff's Office website.
Kiosk deposits — A deposit kiosk may be available at the jail facility for cash or card deposits.
Money order by mail — Money orders made payable to the inmate (including full legal name and booking number) may be mailed to the facility.

Amount Limits

Specific deposit limits per transaction or per day are set by the facility and its contracted service provider. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the Bonner County Jail at (208) 265-5525.

Fees

Third-party service providers typically charge a transaction fee for electronic deposits. Fee schedules vary by provider and payment method.

What You Cannot Send

Cash sent directly through the mail is not accepted and may be confiscated
Personal checks are generally not accepted
Funds from unverified or anonymous sources may be rejected

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For

Inmate trust account funds may be used for commissary purchases (hygiene items, snacks, writing materials), telephone calls, and certain programming fees. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly from the trust account without a court order or facility authorization.

How To Send Jail Mail In Bonner County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to inmates held at the Bonner County Jail by following the facility's established mail procedures. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by detention staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable Idaho law.

Mailing Address

All mail must be addressed to the inmate using their full legal name and booking number:

Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Bonner County Jail 4001 N Boyer Rd Sandpoint, ID 83864

Rules for Sending Mail

All letters must be written on plain white paper and sent in plain white envelopes
Postcards are accepted at many facilities; senders should confirm current policy with the jail
Photographs may be permitted subject to size and content restrictions; explicit or gang-related imagery is prohibited
Books and publications, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer — not from individuals
Stickers, glitter, perfume, or any substance applied to paper is prohibited
Mail containing contraband, coded messages, or content that threatens facility security will be rejected and may be reported to law enforcement
Return address must be included on all envelopes; anonymous mail may be rejected

Legal Mail

Correspondence from attorneys and courts is classified as legal mail and is subject to special handling procedures. Legal mail may be opened in the presence of the inmate to verify it contains no contraband but may not be read by staff. Senders should clearly mark envelopes as "Legal Mail – Attorney-Client Privileged."

Electronic Messaging

Some facilities offer electronic messaging services through contracted providers. Members of the public should contact the Bonner County Jail at (208) 265-5525 to determine whether this service is currently available.