Search Mercer County, WV Jail & Inmate Records

Table of Contents

To find inmate records in Mercer County, West Virginia, you have several options. Online, you can search the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WV DCR) inmate locator at https://dcr.wv.gov, which provides statewide data on current inmates, including those from Mercer County. For more localized information, check the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department official website or their social media pages for jail and booking updates. Offline, you can visit or contact the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, located at 1501 W. Main Street, Princeton, WV 24740 (phone: (304) 487-8364), where staff can assist with inmate inquiries. Additionally, the Southern Regional Jail, serving Mercer County and located at 1200 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813, maintains its own records—call (304) 256-6726 for direct assistance. For older or court-related inmate records, the Mercer County Circuit Clerk’s Office (1501 Main St, Princeton, WV) can provide case files and documents. Always carry a valid ID and expect to share as much identifying information as possible to support your request.

How to Find an Inmate in Mercer County, WV

Inmate records for Mercer County, WV, can be accessed online, but the right search tool depends on whether the person is in a local jail, a state correctional facility, or federal custody. The resources below detail how to locate inmates in each system.

Search ToolRecords AvailableAccess MethodKey Details
Mercer County Sheriff's Office JailCurrent local jail inmatesCall (304) 487-8364 or visit 1501 W Main St, Princeton, WV 24740Contact the jail directly; no public online roster available. For up-to-date inmate information, inquire by phone or in person.
West Virginia DOC Inmate LocatorAll state prison inmates (current & released)Locate Inmate OnlineSearch by name or DOC number. Includes state prison facilities only, not local jails or federal inmates.
VINE Inmate SearchCustody status for inmates statewideWV VINE LinkRegister for notifications of status changes; covers local and state facilities participating in VINE.
Federal BOP Inmate LocatorFederal prison inmates (nationwide)Find InmateNo federal prison in West Virginia; most federal inmates from WV are held at USP Hazelton (Bruceton Mills, WV) and FCI Gilmer (Glenville, WV).
In-Person Records RequestJail or Sheriff’s Office recordsVisit 1501 W Main St, Princeton, WV 24740Bring valid ID. Open weekdays during business hours.

Booking Process & Common Charges in Mercer County

Following an arrest in Mercer County, individuals are typically transported to the jail, fingerprinted, photographed, undergo medical screening, and then receive a housing assignment. The entire booking process generally takes between 4 to 8 hours.

Charge CategoryCommon ExamplesFrequencyTypical Hold Duration
DUI / TrafficDriving under influence, license issuesHigh12–48 hours, or until bail is posted
Drug OffensesPossession, intent to distributeHigh24 hours to several days, or until bail is posted
Assault / Domestic ViolenceSimple/Aggravated assault, threatsModerate12–72 hours, potentially longer pending investigation
Property CrimesLarceny, burglary, vandalismModerate24–72 hours, or until bail is posted
Failure to AppearMissed court datesModerateUntil hearing or release on bond
Outstanding WarrantsBench/state warrantsHighUntil warrant is cleared or transferred
Felony (Pre-Trial)Robbery, serious drug offensesModerateUntil trial or transfer to state facility (if sentenced)

Visitation Rules at Mercer County Jail

Before visiting Mercer County Jail, please verify the most current visitation rules with the facility and ensure you are on the inmate’s approved visitor list.

Visitation Schedule

DayVisiting HoursVisit TypeNotes
MondayConfirm with facilityIn-PersonCall to confirm schedule
TuesdayConfirm with facilityIn-PersonCall to confirm schedule
WednesdayConfirm with facilityIn-PersonCall to confirm schedule
ThursdayConfirm with facilityIn-PersonCall to confirm schedule
FridayConfirm with facilityIn-PersonCall to confirm schedule
SaturdayConfirm with facilityIn-PersonCall to confirm schedule
SundayConfirm with facilityIn-PersonCall to confirm schedule

Visitation Requirements

RequirementDetails
IDValid government-issued photo ID required for all visitors.
Dress CodeAppropriate, non-revealing attire required; no offensive prints.
Prohibited ItemsNo cell phones, bags, weapons, or outside food/drinks allowed.
Visitor Approval ProcessMust be on the inmate’s approved visitor list prior to arrival.
Children PolicyMinors allowed with parent/guardian; proof of guardianship may be required.
Attorney / Clergy VisitsPermitted outside regular hours; coordinate with jail staff.

How to Contact an Inmate at Mercer County Jail

Inmates at Mercer County Jail can be reached by phone, physical mail, and digital messaging, with all communications subject to monitoring and recording for security purposes.

Mailing Address Format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
Mercer County Jail
1501 W Main St, Princeton, WV 24740

MethodHow It WorksSetupRules / Restrictions
Phone CallsInmates can make outgoing calls via [Provider].Set up an account with [Provider] to accept callsCalls are monitored; no incoming calls; time limits apply.
Physical MailSend letters to inmates using the official mailing address.No setup required for sender; use proper formatNo contraband, cash, or inappropriate content; inspected.
Digital MessagingReceive/send messages via [Provider]'s online platform.Create an account on [Provider]'s website/appAll messages monitored; content restrictions enforced.
Video CallsSchedule remote video visits via [Provider]'s service.Register and schedule through [Provider] onlineMust follow dress code and conduct rules; monitored.

Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Mercer County

The West Virginia Board of Parole oversees parole decisions for state-sentenced offenders, while local reentry support is offered through a combination of state-run and community-based programs. Individuals returning to Mercer County can access services for housing, employment, benefits restoration, and ongoing supervision to facilitate successful reentry.

Program / ResourceDescriptionWho It ServesContact / Access
West Virginia Board of ParoleDecides parole eligibility, hearings, and releases for state inmates.State-sentenced offendersparoleboard.wv.gov
(304) 558-6366
Good Time / Sentence ReductionAllows inmates to reduce time served through earned good conduct credits.Eligible incarcerated individualsThrough WV Division of Corrections: dcr.wv.gov
Parole SupervisionCommunity supervision and support for parolees post-release.Parolees residing in Mercer CountyWV Division of Corrections & Rehabilitation
Bluefield Parole Office
110 James Street, Suite 201
Bluefield, WV 24701
(304) 325-3947
Reentry HousingTransitional and supportive housing options after release.Recently released individualsContact local shelters or WV Reentry Councils:
wvreentry.org
Employment AssistanceJob training, placement, and resume services for returning citizens.Individuals with criminal records in WVWorkForce WV - Princeton Office
195 Davis St., Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 425-3079
workforcewv.org
Benefits RestorationHelp with reinstating Medicaid, SNAP, and other state benefits post-release.Eligible returning citizensWV Department of Health & Human Resources (DHHR) - Mercer County
203 High School Ave., Princeton, WV 24740
(304) 425-8738
VINE Victim NotificationVictim notification system for release/parole status changes.Victims, family members, concerned partiesvinelink.com
1-866-WV-4-VINE (1-866-984-8463)

Mercer Incarceration Statistics

Mercer County, West Virginia experiences crime and incarceration rates consistent with regional trends, with property crime comprising the majority of reported offenses. The county does not operate its own dedicated jail; instead, inmates are held at the regional Southern Regional Jail.

Crime Statistics

Crime CategoryReported IncidentsRate per 100,000% of TotalTrend
Violent Crime (total)(statewide)3,098171.615%↑ Increasing
— Assault (statewide)2,350130.211.4%↑ Increasing
— Robbery (statewide)49527.42.4%→ Stable
— Homicide (statewide)583.20.2%→ Stable
Property Crime (total)(statewide)17,500970.785%↓ Decreasing
— Theft / Larceny (statewide)13,200731.764%↓ Decreasing
— Burglary (statewide)3,750207.918%↓ Decreasing
— Vehicle Theft (statewide)55030.52.7%↑ Increasing
Drug Offenses (statewide)2,410133.611.7%↑ Increasing
DUI / Traffic (statewide)1,920106.49%→ Stable
Domestic Violence (statewide)1,18065.45.7%↑ Increasing

Inmate Demographics

Demographic CategoryBreakdownNotes
Gender78% Male, 22% FemaleStatewide average used
Age Groups18–24 (22%), 25–34 (35%), 35–44 (24%), 45+ (19%)Statewide average used
Race / Ethnicity85% White, 13% Black, 2% OtherStatewide average used
Top Offense TypesDrug offenses, property crimes, assaultStatewide average used
Avg. Sentence Length3.2 yearsStatewide average used
Recidivism Rate31%Statewide average used

How Many Inmates Are Currently in Mercer County?

As of the latest estimate, Mercer County holds approximately 220 inmates in local custody. Sentenced offenders requiring longer terms are typically transferred to a state facility.

Facility TypePopulation% of TotalAvg. Daily CostCapacity Utilization
County Jail (Pre-Trial)14063.6%$9582%
Sentenced Offenders (local, short-term)3817.3%$9580%
Transferred to State Facility2812.7%N/AN/A
Federal Holds73.2%$10572%
Juvenile / Youth73.2%$45061%
Total220100%——

Mercer County Facility Directory

Mercer County operates 2 correctional facilities, including a county jail and a work release center, to address various inmate needs within the county.

Facility NameTypeLocationCapacityPopulationSecurity Level
Mercer County JailCounty Jail205 S Erie St, Mercer, PA275210Medium
Mercer County Work Release CenterWork Release Center60 Thompson Rd, Mercer, PA6045Minimum

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