Barnstable County Inmate Population Search

Barnstable County operates a single correctional facility in Bourne that houses the inmate population for Cape Cod and the islands. Sheriff Donna D. Buckley runs the Barnstable County Correctional Facility, a medium-security site that opened in 2004 and holds roughly 588 inmates. The facility also houses female inmates from Dukes and Nantucket counties, since those smaller counties don't have capacity for women. This page covers how to search the Barnstable County inmate population, how to reach the sheriff's office, and what records you can access under Massachusetts public records law.

Barnstable County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Donna D. Buckley heads the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office. She can be reached at 508-563-4302 or by email at dbuckley@bsheriff.net. Special Sheriff Jeff Perry serves as the second in command and handles day-to-day operations at the jail. His email is Jperry@BSheriff.net and his direct line is 508-563-4303.

The main facility sits at 6000 Sheriff's Place in Bourne, MA 02532. The phone number is 508-563-4300 and the fax is 508-563-4574. If you are driving to the facility, use the route through Bourne Rotary. Do not try to come through Forestdale or Joint Base Cape Cod, as those routes may not get you to the front entrance. The facility is medium-security and handles both pretrial and sentenced inmates.

The screenshot below shows the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office website.

The website lists contact info, programs, and details on how to look up people in custody.

How to Search the Inmate Population

Barnstable County has an online inmate lookup tool. You can access it through the sheriff's website at bsheriff.net. The search works by name and shows basic booking details for people currently in custody. This is the quickest way to check on someone without calling.

You can also call the facility at 508-563-4300 and ask staff to look up an inmate by name. Phone searches work during business hours and staff can tell you if someone is in custody, their housing status, and when they are scheduled for release. For after-hours requests, the phone line is still staffed since the jail operates around the clock, but detailed records questions may need to wait until the next business day.

Another option is VINELink. This free service lets you search for inmates and sign up for automatic alerts when their custody status changes. It is especially useful for crime victims who want to know when someone gets released. You can also check MassCourts for case docket information from Barnstable County courts.

The state prison system has a separate search tool at mass.gov. Use that if you think the person has been sentenced to more than two and a half years and transferred to a state facility.

Barnstable County Correctional Facility

The Barnstable County Correctional Facility opened in 2004 and is classified as medium-security. It holds about 588 inmates on a typical day. The facility houses both men and women. Female inmates from Dukes County and Nantucket County are also held here because those island counties lack the space and staff for a women's housing unit. This arrangement has been in place for years and is common in states where smaller counties share resources.

Beyond the main correctional facility, the sheriff runs a Community Corrections Center at 770 Attucks Lane in Hyannis, MA 02601. The phone there is 508-375-6982. This center handles people on probation supervision, pre-release programs, and alternative sentencing. It serves as a step between jail and full release for some of the county's inmate population.

The Civil Process Division is at 3261 Main Street in Barnstable, MA 02630. Call 508-375-6125 for questions about civil service of process. This office handles restraining orders, summonses, and other court documents that the sheriff's office is responsible for serving.

Mail and Communication

Barnstable County uses digital mail through Securus Technologies. General mail should be sent to PO Box 25555, Tampa, FL 33622. Include the inmate's full name and booking number on the envelope. The mail gets scanned at the processing center and delivered to the inmate electronically. This system speeds up delivery and cuts down on contraband coming into the facility.

Legal mail works differently. Attorneys and courts should send legal documents directly to the facility at 6000 Sheriff's Place, Bourne, MA 02532. Mark the envelope "Legal Mail" clearly on the outside. Legal mail is opened in front of the inmate but is not read by staff. This protects attorney-client privilege while still allowing the facility to check for contraband.

Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, the sheriff sets the rules for how inmates can communicate with people on the outside. That includes phone calls, mail, and in-person visits. These rules can change, so check the sheriff's website or call ahead for the most current policies.

Inmate Population Public Records

You have the right to request records about the Barnstable County inmate population under Massachusetts public records law. M.G.L. c. 66, § 10 requires government agencies to provide access to their records on request. This applies to the sheriff's office and to other county agencies.

The county government's Records Access Officer is Robin Young. Contact her at 508-375-6648 or by email at publicrecords@capecod.gov. The office is at 3195 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630. Written requests work best. Be specific about what records you want. The office has 10 business days to respond under state law. M.G.L. c. 4, § 7 defines what counts as a public record, and most jail documents fall under that definition.

The state public records portal has forms and instructions if you need help with the request process. You can appeal a denial to the Supervisor of Records within 90 days.

Statewide Inmate Population Resources

The Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association connects all 14 county sheriff offices across the state. Each county runs its own jail and sets its own policies for search, visiting, and records. Barnstable is one of the larger county systems because it also serves the island counties.

For a broader search, the DOC's online tool at mass.gov covers state prisons. MassCourts shows case records from all Massachusetts courts. VINELink works for counties that participate in the victim notification system. Between these tools, you can track down most people in the state's criminal justice system.

Cities in Barnstable County

Barnstable County covers all of Cape Cod, including Barnstable, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Sandwich, Mashpee, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet. None of these towns meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All inmates from Barnstable County communities are held at the correctional facility in Bourne.

Nearby Counties

Barnstable County borders Plymouth County on the mainland and is connected by water to the island counties. If someone was arrested in a different county, that county's sheriff handles their custody.