Search Taunton Inmate Population
Taunton is the seat of Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts, home to roughly 59,000 people. The inmate population for Taunton falls under the Bristol County Sheriff's Office, which runs the House of Correction in North Dartmouth. There is no online inmate search for Bristol County, so phone calls are the main way to check on someone in custody. This page covers the Bristol County jail, how to look up inmates by phone, Taunton police records, court searches, and public records options under state law.
Taunton Inmate Population Overview
Bristol County House of Correction
People arrested in Taunton who get held on bail or who receive a sentence of up to two and a half years go to the Bristol County House of Correction. The facility sits at 400 Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth. It is about 25 miles south of Taunton. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office runs this jail and handles all bookings, releases, and inmate records for the county. Anyone picked up by Taunton police on a warrant or a new charge will pass through local booking first, then get transported to this facility if held.
Bristol County does not have an online inmate lookup tool. This is a key difference from counties like Middlesex or Essex that let you search a web portal. If you need to find out whether someone from Taunton is in custody at the House of Correction, you have to call. The main number for the jail is (508) 995-6400. For direct inmate inquiries, call (508) 995-6400 ext. 2535. The inquiry line is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Have the person's full legal name ready when you call. Staff can confirm if that person is in the facility and give you basic details like booking date and charges.
| Facility | Bristol County House of Correction |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA |
| Main Phone | (508) 995-6400 |
| Inmate Inquiry | (508) 995-6400 ext. 2535 |
| Inquiry Hours | Mon - Sat, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Online Lookup | Not available |
Since there is no web-based tool, the phone line is really your only fast option for a Bristol County inmate search. If you call outside of the inquiry hours listed above, you may reach the main switchboard, but inmate records staff will not be there to help. Plan to call during business hours for the best results.
Taunton Inmate Population Search Options
If the person you are looking for is not at the Bristol County jail, they may be in a state prison. The Massachusetts Department of Correction holds inmates with sentences over two and a half years. The DOC has a search page at mass.gov that walks you through the process. You can search by name or inmate ID number through the VINELink system.
The screenshot below shows the VINELink search page, which covers Massachusetts state prison inmates and some county facilities.
VINELink inmate notification system
VINELink also lets you register for alerts. You can get a call, email, or text when someone gets released or transferred. This works for state inmates and for county jails that take part in the program. Check VINELink to see if Bristol County is listed.
The Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association site has contact links for every county sheriff in the state. If you think the person may have been moved to a different county, start there. Each county runs its own jail and keeps its own records. You need to call the right one.
Court Records for Taunton Cases
Court records can give you background on the case that put someone in jail. The MassCourts system lets you search docket information from courts across the state. Criminal cases from Taunton go through the Taunton District Court or Bristol Superior Court depending on severity. You can look up cases by name or case number. The results will show charges, hearing dates, bail amounts, and outcomes. This does not tell you where someone is held right now, but it fills in the legal details.
The iCORI system is another tool. It stands for Internet-based Criminal Offender Record Information. You can run a criminal background check through this state database. There is a fee for each search. The results pull from the Criminal History Systems Board and show convictions and pending cases statewide. It is not the same thing as a jail search, but it can help you figure out what charges someone faces and where they might be held based on the court that handled the case.
Taunton Inmate Population Public Records
Massachusetts public records law gives you the right to ask for documents about the inmate population. Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, any person can request records from a government agency. This covers booking logs, daily population reports, incident reports, and similar documents held by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office. The definition of public records under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7 is broad and includes most documents that agencies make or receive in the course of their work.
To file a request with the Bristol County Sheriff, call (508) 995-6400 and ask for the Records Access Officer. Written requests work best. Include as much detail as you can about what records you want, such as date ranges and specific document types. The agency has 10 business days to respond under state law. Large requests can take longer, but the agency must tell you if it needs more time and give an estimate.
The screenshot below shows the state public records request information page.
Massachusetts public records portal
If the sheriff's office denies your request or fails to respond on time, you can appeal to the state Supervisor of Records within 90 days. The supervisor can order the agency to release the records.
Taunton Police Department Records
The Taunton Police Department handles arrests and police reports for the city. Their station is at 23 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780. The main phone number is (508) 823-5000. Police records can tell you about an arrest, the charges at the time of booking, and what happened at the scene. These records are separate from the jail records that the Bristol County Sheriff keeps. You may need to contact both agencies to get the full picture of a case.
Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, daily arrest logs at police departments are public records. The log includes the name of the person arrested, the charges, and the date and time of the arrest. You can ask to see this log at the station during business hours. It does not cost anything to view it. If you need a copy of a full police report, there may be a small fee for copies.
| Agency | Taunton Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 23 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Phone | (508) 823-5000 |
The Taunton City Clerk's office can also help with certain records. They are at 15 Summer Street, and the phone number is (508) 821-1024. City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The clerk handles vital records and some city documents, though jail records go through the county.
Legal Framework for Inmate Records in Taunton
Three state laws shape how you can access inmate records in Taunton. The main one is M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, which sets out the public records request process. It covers any records made or kept by a state, county, or local agency. The law says agencies must respond within 10 business days. It also caps the fees they can charge for copies and staff time.
The second key statute is M.G.L. c. 4, § 7. This law defines what counts as a public record in Massachusetts. It lists specific exemptions, like medical records, attorney-client communications, and certain law enforcement files. If an agency denies your request, they have to cite which exemption applies. Most basic jail records like booking logs and population counts do not fall under any exemption.
The third is M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A. This one deals specifically with police arrest logs. It says every police department must keep a daily log of arrests. The log has to be open to the public during normal business hours. It cannot be withheld even if other parts of a case file are sealed or under investigation. This law is useful if you want to find out about recent arrests in Taunton without having to file a formal records request.
Bristol County Inmate Population
Taunton is in Bristol County, and the Bristol County Sheriff's Office runs the House of Correction that serves the city. The county also covers Fall River, New Bedford, and several smaller towns. For more on jail operations, visiting schedules, and programs at the Bristol County facility, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Taunton in southeastern Massachusetts. They share the same county jail system through Bristol County or border it.