Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
Independent records-search resource. This website is not a government agency, police department, sheriff's office, jail, prison or courthouse. Search coverage varies by source and jurisdiction. Some links may lead to third-party services, and compensation may be received when a partner service is used.
Find a Macon County Jail Inmate and Check Current Custody
If you are trying to find someone arrested in Decatur or elsewhere in Macon County, Illinois, start with the Macon County Sheriff’s official inmate search. It is the correct local source for checking current county-jail custody instead of relying on an unofficial people-search or mugshot directory.
Open the Macon County Sheriff’s website, select Inmate Search, search the person’s legal name and verify the matching custody record. If the arrest happened very recently and no record appears, call Corrections at 217-424-1341.
Open Official Inmate Search Call CorrectionsHow to Search the Macon County Jail Roster
- Open the Sheriff’s official website. Go to sheriff-macon-il.us.
- Select “Inmate Search.” The Sheriff provides the current inmate-information link from its website.
- Search the inmate’s legal name. Use the most accurate spelling you know. If the live system provides additional search fields, use them when they help narrow similar names.
- Open the likely result. Do not assume a name match is enough. Compare the booking and identifying information displayed by the live system.
- Save the inmate or booking identifier. If one is displayed, keep it before arranging mail, visitation, deposits or other jail services.
Booking is not always visible immediately after an arrest. Transport, identification, intake and processing may need to be completed first. If you have reliable information that the person was taken to Macon County Jail but the search is still blank, check again later or call the 24-hour Corrections line.
What the jail lookup is useful for
- Checking whether someone is currently listed in Macon County Jail custody
- Confirming the inmate identity before sending money or mail
- Reviewing available booking or custody information
- Checking listed charges or related information when the live record provides it
- Obtaining identifiers needed for jail services
A jail roster is a custody and booking resource. An arrest, charge or jail entry does not by itself mean the person was convicted.
If You Cannot Find the Person
| Possible reason | Best next step |
|---|---|
| Arrest happened very recently | Allow time for intake and booking, then search again or call 217-424-1341. |
| Name does not match the booking record | Retry the legal surname, alternate spelling, maiden name, hyphenated surname or suffix. |
| The person was released | Check the related Macon County court case or request an older Sheriff record if documentation is needed. |
| The person was transferred to Illinois state custody | Use the Illinois Department of Corrections Individual in Custody Search. |
| The person was moved to another county | Search the receiving county’s jail system. |
| Federal custody is involved | Use the responsible federal agency or Federal Bureau of Prisons locator instead of a county roster. |
| The record involves a juvenile | Adult-jail public information rules may not apply. Juvenile records have different access restrictions. |
Macon County Jail Address, Phone and Records Contacts
| Corrections | 217-424-1341 — 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Sheriff main office | 217-424-1321 |
| Court Security | 217-424-1371 |
| Corrections fax | 217-424-1499 |
| Jail address | 333 S. Franklin Street, Decatur, IL 62523 |
| Records email | recordsinformation@sheriff-macon-il.us |
| FOIA email | foiainformation@sheriff-macon-il.us |
The Sheriff’s current Corrections page says the jail can house up to 394 inmates. This is the county’s current published figure, so it is preferable to older capacity numbers still appearing on some third-party jail directories.
How to Check Charges, Court Dates and the Criminal Case
The inmate roster and the court record answer different questions. Use the jail search to check custody. Use the Macon County Circuit Clerk when you need the filed criminal case, court activity or available hearing information.
- Find the inmate first and note the exact legal name and available booking details.
- Open the Macon County Circuit Clerk.
- Select Judici Case Search from the Clerk’s menu.
- Search the defendant and confirm that the case belongs to Macon County.
- Compare the name, case information and dates with the jail record.
- For a formal or certified record, contact the Circuit Clerk rather than relying on a screenshot of the jail roster.
Illinois eliminated cash bail when the Pretrial Fairness Act took effect on September 18, 2023. Current pretrial release or detention is therefore controlled by court orders and Illinois pretrial law rather than assuming every detainee can simply pay a cash amount to leave jail. The Sheriff’s visitation page still contains a general on-site “bond” payment reference, so verify the specific person’s current release conditions with the court or Corrections before making a payment or pickup plan.
Macon County Jail Visitation
Macon County Jail currently uses HomeWAV for inmate communications and video visitation.
| Visit type | Published schedule |
|---|---|
| On-site Monday–Friday | 7:20 a.m.–11:40 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m.; 7:15 p.m.–8:40 p.m. |
| On-site Saturday–Sunday | 8:20 a.m.–11:40 a.m.; 12:30 p.m.–3:40 p.m. |
| Online video — daily | 7:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m.; 7:15 p.m.–10:45 p.m. |
Visitor rules to know before going
- Bring readable identification such as a driver’s license or state ID.
- Visitors must be 18 or older unless accompanied by a legal guardian.
- Arrive about five minutes before the appointment for verification.
- Cell phones are not allowed at the visitation booths.
- The jail permits two adults, or one adult and up to two children, at one visit.
- Visitors must wear appropriate clothing and follow staff directions.
- The lobby closes on legal holidays and may also close because of emergencies or severe weather.
- Visits may be monitored or recorded.
Check the Sheriff’s current visitor page before traveling because schedules and operational restrictions can change.
How to Send Mail to a Macon County Jail Inmate
The Sheriff’s current linked mail policy says ordinary physical personal mail is processed through TextBehind. Approved mail is scanned and delivered digitally to the inmate through the HomeWAV kiosk. This process does not apply to legal mail.
Macon County Jail IL
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Information required on personal mail
- Sender’s complete first and last name
- Sender’s complete return address
- Inmate’s complete first and last name
- Inmate number
- Full correctional institution name
The published policy says initials are not accepted in place of complete names and mail missing required information can be rejected.
Legal mail, money orders, personal checks, gift cards, packages or cash. The Sheriff’s policy directs legal mail, money orders and qualifying packages to the jail’s Franklin Street address instead.
Read the Sheriff’s official inmate mail policy PDF.
How to Put Money on an Inmate Account
The Macon County Sheriff currently provides an online deposit option and a mailed money-order option.
Online deposit
- Confirm that the person is still held at Macon County Jail.
- Confirm the exact inmate name and identifier.
- Open the Sheriff’s Send Money to an Inmate page.
- Select the Sheriff’s current Make an Online Payment option.
- Review the inmate and payment details before submitting funds.
Money order
The Sheriff says a money order should be made out to the specific inmate and mailed to:
333 S. Franklin St.
Decatur, IL 62523
Always verify current custody before sending money because an inmate can be released or transferred after you last checked the roster.
Get Release or Custody-Change Notifications
If you need continuing custody updates, Illinois VINE can be more useful than manually checking the roster over and over. Illinois VINE receives information through county jail booking systems, IDOC and participating circuit court clerks.
- Custody and criminal case information can be searched through VINE.
- Users can register for qualifying custody or case-status notifications.
- Notification methods include phone, email, text and the VINE mobile app.
- VINE should not replace direct verification with the jail or court when timing is critical.
Open the Illinois Attorney General’s VINE information page.
Macon County Jail vs. Illinois State Prison
Do not keep searching the county roster if the person has already been transferred into Illinois state correctional custody.
| You need to know | Use this source |
|---|---|
| Is the person in Macon County Jail now? | Macon County Sheriff inmate search |
| What criminal case was filed? | Macon County Circuit Clerk / Judici |
| Was the person moved into Illinois state custody? | Illinois Department of Corrections Individual in Custody Search |
| Do I want release or custody notifications? | Illinois VINE |
| Do I need an older Sheriff or jail record? | Macon County Sheriff Records / FOIA |
For state custody, open the Illinois Department of Corrections and choose Individual in Custody Search.
How to Get an Older Booking or Sheriff Record
A live inmate list is mainly for current custody. If the person has already left the jail and you need an older Sheriff record, use the Macon County Sheriff’s records or FOIA process.
- Write down the person’s complete name.
- Add the approximate arrest or booking date if known.
- Include an incident, report or booking number if you have one.
- Describe the specific record you need.
- Submit the request to the Sheriff’s records or FOIA contact.
333 S. Franklin Street, Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: 217-424-1321
Fax: 217-424-6010
Email: foiainformation@sheriff-macon-il.us
The county notes that FOIA requests are subject to applicable public-record rules and fees. A current jail roster should not be used as a substitute for a formal record when you need documentation for a legal or official purpose.
What the Latest Official Jail Inspection Found
The Illinois Department of Corrections monitored Macon County Jail for compliance on April 23, 2025. The one-page report documented several improvements, including continued facility tile work, a transport vehicle, new mattresses, a LUCAS CPR device and reinstatement of the Restore and Renew substance-abuse and GED education program.
The report also identified a standards issue under Section 701.70, Classification and Separation, stating that jail administration should develop a policy and practice to ensure separation of charged detainees and convicted offenders. It additionally recommended keeping storage-closet and control-room doors secured when not in use.
Read the 2025 IDOC Macon County Jail compliance report.
Related Inmate Search Guides
- Cook County Jail Inmate Search & Roster — useful if the person is in another Illinois county.
- Bibb County, GA Jail Inmate Search & Roster — use this if you meant Macon-Bibb County, Georgia rather than Macon County, Illinois.
- Marion County, IN Jail Inmate Search & Roster — another Midwest county custody guide.
Macon County Jail Inmate Search FAQs
1. How do I search for an inmate in Macon County Jail?
Open the Macon County Sheriff’s official website, select Inmate Search, enter the person’s legal name and review the matching custody record. Verify the available booking and identifying information before assuming the result belongs to the person you are looking for.
2. Is there an official Macon County Jail roster?
Yes. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office provides official current inmate information through the inmate-search link on its website. It is the best starting point for checking present Macon County Jail custody.
3. Why can’t I find someone who was just arrested?
The person may still be going through transport, identification, intake or booking. Check the spelling, search again later, or call Macon County Corrections at 217-424-1341 to confirm current custody.
4. What is the Macon County Jail phone number?
The Macon County Sheriff lists the Corrections phone number as 217-424-1341 and states that the line is available 24 hours a day.
5. Where is Macon County Jail located?
Macon County Jail is located in the Law Enforcement Center at 333 S. Franklin Street, Decatur, Illinois 62523.
6. What are Macon County Jail visitation hours?
The Sheriff currently publishes on-site visitation Monday through Friday from 7:20 a.m.–11:40 a.m., 1:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.–8:40 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 8:20 a.m.–11:40 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.–3:40 p.m. Online video visitation is listed daily from 7:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.–10:45 p.m.
7. How do I send mail to a Macon County Jail inmate?
Ordinary personal mail is sent through TextBehind using the inmate’s complete first and last name and inmate ID number, Macon County Jail IL, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131. Legal mail and certain other items follow separate facility-mail instructions.
8. How do I send money to a Macon County Jail inmate?
Confirm the inmate’s current custody and exact identity first. Then use the online payment option linked from the Sheriff’s Send Money to an Inmate page or mail a money order made out to the specific inmate to Inmate Trust Account, 333 S. Franklin St., Decatur, IL 62523.
9. How can I check an inmate’s court date or release status?
Use the Macon County jail search for current custody and the Macon County Circuit Clerk or its Judici Case Search link for the criminal court case and available docket information. Illinois VINE can also provide qualifying custody or case-status notifications.
10. Does appearing in the Macon County Jail roster mean the person was convicted?
No. A jail booking or custody record shows that a person was detained or processed by the jail. It does not by itself establish guilt or prove that the person was convicted of a listed charge.
Official Resources Used
- Macon County Sheriff’s Office
- Macon County Sheriff Corrections Division
- Macon County Jail Visitor Information
- Macon County Inmate Funds
- Macon County Inmate Mail Policy PDF
- Macon County Circuit Clerk
- Illinois Department of Corrections
- Illinois VINE Information
- 2025 Macon County Jail Compliance Report
Information reviewed: October 15, 2026. Live custody, visitation, court schedules, payment systems and facility procedures can change. Verify a time-sensitive visit, payment, mailing or release decision through the linked official resource immediately before acting.
CountyJailInmateSearch.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Macon County Circuit Court or another government agency. Arrest and jail records should not be treated as proof of guilt.