The Buffalo County Inmate Population
The Buffalo County inmate population is centered on the Buffalo County Jail, the only local detention facility found in official county and state facility sources. The jail is operated by the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office, where county sources list Sheriff Michael Osmond. The jail holds pretrial detainees, people serving local jail terms, court-authorized Huber or work-release inmates, and people held while a court, jail, or transfer decision is pending. Sentenced state prisoners from Buffalo County move into the Wisconsin Department of Corrections system after commitment.
The public record is not one single list. Current local custody is a jail, phone, and VINE question. Charges and hearings become a Wisconsin Circuit Court Access question after a prosecutor files the case. State prison custody is checked through the DOC locator, while federal custody uses the Bureau of Prisons and immigration custody uses ICE. That split matters because Buffalo County did not publish an official current-inmate roster in the sources reviewed.
Buffalo County Inmate Population Statistics
Official Buffalo County sources give point-in-time jail counts and one average daily count rather than a live population dashboard. The most useful local figures come from Buffalo/Pepin Criminal Justice Coordinating Council minutes and the 2024 Buffalo/Pepin correctional facilities request for proposals. Those sources show a rural jail population well below large-county levels, with a small rated capacity and several public planning references to facility needs.
The Buffalo/Pepin correctional facilities RFP states that Buffalo County has a 26-bed jail. CJCC minutes reported 13 inmates in March 2021, 15 inmates and a 14-person average daily count in June 2021, and a low count of 12 inmates in July 2024. The U.S. Census QuickFacts estimate of 13,318 residents for July 1, 2025 gives scale for those jail figures.
| Measure | Figure | Source / Year |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo County Jail rated capacity | 26 beds | Buffalo/Pepin correctional facilities RFP, 2024 |
| Buffalo County jail count | 13 inmates | Buffalo/Pepin CJCC minutes, March 16, 2021 |
| Buffalo County jail count | 15 inmates | Buffalo/Pepin CJCC minutes, June 16, 2021 |
| Buffalo County average daily count | 14 inmates | Buffalo/Pepin CJCC minutes, June 16, 2021 |
| Year-to-date bookings | 119 bookings | Buffalo/Pepin CJCC minutes, June 16, 2021 |
| Buffalo County jail count | 12 inmates | Buffalo/Pepin CJCC minutes, July 17, 2024 |
Buffalo County Inmate Population Trends
The Buffalo County inmate population trend record is a set of snapshots, not an annual series. In March 2021, CJCC minutes said the jail had 13 inmates and that the number was higher than January and February. By June 2021, the same local body reported 15 people in jail that morning, 119 bookings so far that year, and an average daily count of 14. In July 2024, minutes described the population as low, sitting at 12 inmates, but also noted some lengthy stays tied to significant charges.
Those figures should not be stretched into claims the county did not make. The 2024 count of 12 was below the 26-bed rated capacity. The June 2021 count of 15 was also below capacity. The RFP says both Buffalo and Pepin facilities needed attention and that the counties were considering a shared justice center, but it does not label Buffalo County Jail as overcrowded.
| Date / Year | Count or Capacity | Local Note |
|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2021 | 13 point-in-time | CJCC minutes said the count was higher than the prior two months. |
| June 16, 2021 | 15 point-in-time; 14 average daily | Minutes also listed 119 year-to-date bookings. |
| July 17, 2024 | 12 point-in-time | Minutes described the population as low, with some lengthy stays. |
| September 12, 2024 | 26-bed capacity | The RFP documented the jail size and facility-planning study. |
Buffalo County Jail Capacity
Buffalo County Jail is a small rural jail by official capacity. The 2024 RFP says Buffalo County had 26 beds, while Pepin County had 30 beds. It also says both counties share the same Circuit Court Judge and were studying whether a joint justice center could create cost and operating efficiencies. The county asked for consultant work on site options, staffing, technology, operational projections, capital costs, and court, dispatch, law-enforcement, and jail functions.
The RFP is important because it is the strongest recent source for the jail's physical footprint. It supports a facility-planning narrative, not a broad crowding claim. Using the July 2024 jail count of 12 against 26 beds, the jail was below rated capacity on that date. Using the June 2021 count of 15 against 26 beds, it was also below rated capacity on that date. Those are point-in-time comparisons, not formal annual utilization rates.
The county did not publish current housing-unit names, pod counts, public lobby hours, parking rules, or a construction date in the source set. The build should stay with what the county documented: a courthouse-area jail in Alma, a small rated capacity, and an active 2024 planning process for future correctional needs.
The county RFP page is a useful source for the local planning record: Buffalo County's correctional facility RFP shows the capacity and study context.
The image reinforces that the county's recent correctional story is facility planning and capacity review, not a published overcrowding finding.
Who Counts in Buffalo County Jail
The local jail population includes several groups. A pretrial detainee is a person held after arrest while the case is pending. A locally sentenced inmate is serving a jail sentence rather than a state-prison sentence. A Huber or work-release inmate has a court-authorized privilege to leave only for approved purposes, usually direct travel to and from work. A hold or detainer can keep a person in custody for another agency, another county, DOC supervision, federal authorities, or immigration authorities.
Official Buffalo County sources did not publish a demographic dashboard by sex, race, age, charge level, pretrial status, or holding agency. The absence of those fields means those rows should be omitted from public-facing statistics unless a later official source provides them. The jail handbook does confirm that work release and other release privileges may exist when court documents allow them, but it does not give a participant count.
- Booking
- Jail intake after arrest, including identification, property control, screening, and initial custody processing.
- Huber
- A Wisconsin jail work-release privilege that depends on a court order and jail approval.
- Detainer
- A hold from another agency or jurisdiction that can affect release even when a local case has bond.
- DOC
- The Wisconsin Department of Corrections, which handles sentenced state custody and supervision.
Buffalo County Inmate Record Laws
Wisconsin law starts from open access to government records, but jail and law-enforcement records can still be reviewed for exceptions, privacy, safety, juvenile confidentiality, investigative needs, and the public-interest balancing test. That is why a record may exist even when it is not posted on a roster. It is also why a booking photo, incident report, or historical jail record may need a sheriff records request instead of a simple web search.
Key Statutes:
Wis. Stat. § 19.31 states Wisconsin's public policy favoring access to government records unless a legal exception applies.
Wis. Stat. § 19.35 gives requesters a general right to inspect records and receive copies, subject to lawful limits and fees.
Wis. Stat. § 19.36 recognizes records that may be exempt under state law, federal law, or specific statutory limits.
Wis. Admin. Code ch. DOC 350 sets minimum standards for Wisconsin jails and houses of correction.
Wis. Admin. Code DOC 350.20 requires jail policies for inmate well-being checks and personal observation.
Search Buffalo County Inmate Records
Because no official Buffalo County online jail roster was located, the practical search starts with the county jail phone line and Wisconsin VINE, then moves to court, records-request, state, and federal systems as needed. The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office runs the jail. The county jail page points users to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access for charges and court action, while the county VINE page points users to custody-status search and notification.
Use the narrowest source first. A current custody question belongs with the jail and VINE. A charge, hearing, bond condition, or court date belongs in WCCA or the Clerk of Courts. A police report, booking sheet, or booking photo not posted online belongs in the sheriff records-request process. A state-prison sentence belongs in the DOC locator, and federal or immigration custody belongs in BOP or ICE systems.
- Call Buffalo County Jail or the Sheriff's Office at 608-685-4433 for current local custody routing.
- Search Wisconsin VINE or call 888-944-8463 for custody status and notification registration.
- Use WCCA when the question is about filed charges, court dates, case numbers, or hearing history.
- Submit a Buffalo County Sheriff's NextRequest request for sheriff records not posted online.
- Use DOC, BOP, or ICE only when the person has moved into state, federal, or immigration custody.
Buffalo County Current Inmate Lookup
The official source review did not locate a Buffalo County current-inmate list or roster search form. That changes the lookup workflow. Instead of entering a name into a county roster, start with the jail's published phone channel and Wisconsin VINE. Buffalo County's VINE page says victims and interested citizens can search custody status by telephone or internet and register for telephone or email notice when status changes.
The county jail page also sends users to the Wisconsin Circuit Court website for charges, next court actions, and other case information. That link is useful after charges are filed, but it is not the same thing as a jail roster. WCCA can show a case even after release, and VINE can provide custody notification, but neither should be described as a full Buffalo County booking profile.
| Channel | Use It For | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Jail phone line | Current Buffalo County Jail custody and release routing | No online field table is published. |
| Wisconsin VINE | Custody status and telephone/email notification | It is not a court file or mugshot gallery. |
| WCCA | Charges, next court actions, case numbers, and future court dates | It begins after a court case exists. |
| NextRequest | Sheriff records, police reports, booking records, and releasable jail documents | Records may be reviewed, redacted, or withheld under law. |
Buffalo County's official VINE page shows the county custody-notification route: Buffalo County Wisconsin VINE System.
VINE is most useful when the goal is custody status or a status-change alert, not a full booking packet.
Buffalo County Released Inmate Records
Released and historical jail records require more care because Buffalo County does not publish a roster-retention rule in the sources reviewed. A person no longer in jail may still have a public court case on WCCA if charges were filed. A sheriff record, booking sheet, police report, or booking photo may require a request through the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office records process. Crash reports are routed separately through Crashdocs, while other sheriff records use the NextRequest portal.
A good request should name the person, give an approximate arrest or booking date, identify Buffalo County Jail or the arresting agency if known, and state the record type requested. Avoid asking for every record in broad terms when a targeted request would do. Wisconsin's public-records law allows inspection and copies, but the sheriff may review law-enforcement records for redactions or withholding grounds.
Buffalo County Inmate Record Fields
Because no official Buffalo County online inmate profile was located, the public field inventory is split by source. Jail phone or VINE information should be treated as custody-status information. WCCA is the formal court record after charges are filed. DOC locator data applies only to sentenced DOC custody or supervision. BOP results apply to federal inmates.
| Field or Topic | Where It May Appear | Research Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Custody status | Jail phone line or Wisconsin VINE | VINE is documented for custody search and notification. |
| Charges and court dates | WCCA and Clerk of Courts | The jail page and clerk page both route users to WCCA. |
| Booking photo | Sheriff records request if releasable | No public Buffalo County mugshot roster was found. |
| Booking number or housing unit | Not located in public roster | No official online inmate profile was found. |
| State sentence or supervision | Wisconsin DOC Offender Locator | DOC says it does not cover county jail sentences. |
| Federal register number | BOP Inmate Locator | BOP search covers federal inmates from 1982 to present. |
Buffalo County Jail vs Prison
County jail and state prison are often confused, but they answer different search questions. Buffalo County Jail is for local detention, including pretrial custody and local jail sentences. The Wisconsin DOC locator is for convicted offenders sentenced to DOC incarceration, supervision, or both. The DOC welcome page specifically says it does not provide information on offenders sentenced to county jail.
| Question | Buffalo County Jail | Wisconsin DOC | Federal / ICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is covered? | Local pretrial and jail-sentence custody | State sentenced custody or supervision | Federal inmates or immigration detainees |
| Best lookup | Jail phone, VINE, WCCA, NextRequest | DOC Offender Locator | BOP locator or ICE ODLS |
| Local facility page? | Buffalo County Jail | No state prison found in Buffalo County | No BOP or ICE detention facility found in Buffalo County |
State and Federal Inmate Search
The Wisconsin DOC Offender Locator is the statewide tool for convicted offenders sentenced to DOC incarceration, supervision, or both. It is not a Buffalo County Jail roster and should not be used for a current county jail sentence. The DOC system also links the public to VINELink for county jail custody through its NOTIS resource, which reinforces the split between local jail status and state corrections status.
The Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator is separate again. It covers federal inmates from 1982 to present and lets users search by register number or name. ICE's Online Detainee Locator System covers immigration detention. No federal prison, ICE detention center, or U.S. Marshals contract facility in Buffalo County was found in the official facility sources reviewed.
The state locator shown in the manifest is the correct statewide route for sentenced DOC custody: Wisconsin DOC Offender Locator Public.
Use the DOC locator after sentencing or DOC supervision, not for someone who is only serving a county jail sentence.
Buffalo County Detention Facility
Official facility research found one detention facility for Buffalo County. No separate jail annex, city jail, regional detention center, work-release building, state prison, federal facility, or ICE detention center physically in the county was located. Alma contracts with the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office for police service, and Fountain City lists a local police contact, but neither source produced a municipal lockup page.
- Buffalo County Jail - the county jail in Alma for local pretrial detainees, locally sentenced jail inmates, Huber/work-release inmates when authorized by court, and people held pending release, transfer, or court action.
Buffalo County Jail Support
The jail handbook is a strong local source because it was written for families and friends, not just for inmates. It explains that incarceration can create loss of income, legal costs, court expenses, travel costs, and commissary costs. It also says children may need extra attention when a parent or adult family member is jailed. The handbook points families to UW-Extension support through Mary Wood, listed with phone contacts and Wisconsin Relay 711.
The same handbook and county jail pages document the day-to-day support systems: screened mail, Securus outgoing phone calls, CIDNET setup for video and text communication, Stellar Services and JailATM for funds, commissary categories, and limits on what property may be brought to the jail. These details matter for population research because a small jail still has several separate systems that families must use correctly.
Buffalo County Inmate Population FAQ
How large is the Buffalo County inmate population?
Published local figures are small and source-specific. CJCC minutes reported 14 average daily inmates in June 2021, and a July 2024 point-in-time count of 12 inmates. The jail capacity documented in the 2024 correctional facilities RFP is 26 beds.
Is there a Buffalo County online jail roster?
No official Buffalo County current-inmate roster was located in the research sources. Start with the jail phone line and Wisconsin VINE for custody status, then use WCCA for court charges or NextRequest for sheriff records.
Where do Buffalo County charges appear after arrest?
Charges and court dates appear through Wisconsin Circuit Court Access after a case is filed. The Buffalo County jail page and Clerk of Courts page both route users to WCCA for case and court-date information.
Does the Wisconsin DOC locator show Buffalo County Jail inmates?
No. DOC says its locator covers convicted offenders sentenced to DOC incarceration, supervision, or both, and does not cover offenders sentenced to county jail.
Are Buffalo County jail mugshots posted online?
No official Buffalo County public mugshot gallery or booking-photo roster was found. A releasable booking photo should be requested through the sheriff records process rather than expected on a public roster.
What recent facility change is documented?
The clearest recent development is the 2024 Buffalo/Pepin correctional facilities RFP. It documented Buffalo County's 26-bed jail and a study of possible shared justice-center options with Pepin County.