Clay County Inmate Population Records

Clay County is located in west-central Indiana with its county seat in Brazil. The Clay County Sheriff manages the local jail and inmate population for the county. Searching current custody information in Clay County is done through the Indiana VINE system or by calling the sheriff's office directly. This page covers all the search methods available, the types of records you can request, and links to nearby county resources for related searches.

Clay County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Brison Swearingen leads the Clay County Sheriff's Office on East Jackson Street in Brazil. The department operates the county jail and processes all county bookings. The office does not currently publish a standalone public inmate search portal online, so the VINE system and a direct call are the main search options.

Calling (812) 446-2535 is the most direct way to check on someone in custody. Jail staff can confirm custody status, tell you when a person was booked, and in most cases share the charges on file. For written record requests, send a letter to the address above referencing the Indiana Access to Public Records Act.

Search Clay County Inmate Population via VINE

Clay County uses the Indiana VINE system to provide statewide inmate tracking for its jail population. Go to Indiana SAVIN offender search and enter the person's name. Results will show their current custody status and facility location if they are in custody anywhere in Indiana. This is available at no cost and does not require any login.

The Indiana County Jail Public Portal is another tool to try. This statewide aggregator pulls roster data from participating county jails and updates regularly. Smaller counties may not always have complete coverage, so if results are absent or unclear, the phone call to the sheriff is the best fallback.

For people transferred from Clay County Jail to a state facility, search the IDOC Offender Locator. County and state records are separate, so someone no longer appearing in VINE may now be in the IDOC system. Both tools together give you coverage across all Indiana custody situations.

Indiana SAVIN and Statewide Inmate Search

Indiana SAVIN at indianasavin.in.gov is the state's primary system for tracking incarcerated individuals across all 92 counties. The VINE platform that powers it also lets you sign up for custody notifications. Once you find someone in the system, you can register to be alerted when their status changes, whether that means a release, transfer, or court appearance.

Notifications come by phone call, text message, or email. The service is free and available to anyone. You do not have to be a victim or have any specific legal standing to register for alerts. The VINELink Indiana portal offers the same functionality through a national interface. Both portals are available around the clock.

Inmate Records in Clay County

Jail records in Indiana are public under the Access to Public Records Act. You can ask the Clay County Sheriff for booking records, charge information, and custody status for any person currently or recently held in the county jail. State rules under 210 IAC 3-1-6 set the minimum standards for how these records must be kept and provided to the public.

Records that are typically available through a public request include the person's name, booking date and time, charges at booking, bond amount and status, and the general housing location within the jail. Records that are not public include medical and mental health information, victim contact details, and materials tied to open investigations. Case outcomes after a booking are found in court records, not jail records. Contact the Clay Circuit Court for conviction or sentencing data.

To make a formal request, write to the Clay County Sheriff's Office at 611 E. Jackson St, Brazil, IN 47834. Under APRA, the office has seven business days to respond. A phone call is faster for simple status questions and does not require a formal written request. Keep a copy of any written requests you send in case follow-up is needed.

Cities in Clay County

Brazil is the county seat and the largest city in Clay County. Other communities include Center Point, Poland, and Bowling Green. None of the cities in Clay County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. The Clay County Sheriff handles jail matters for the entire county.

Nearby Counties

Clay County borders several west-central Indiana counties. If you need to check a neighboring jail roster, use these links.