Whatcom County, Washington Inmate Search

Individuals arrested by law enforcement officers in Whatcom County, Washington, are typically booked into the Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham. Incarceration is a challenging experience, particularly for family members who are concerned for the safety and well-being of their incarcerated loved ones. As such, residents who want to find loved ones detained in the county’s facilities and who may be concerned about possible next steps in the legal process can use a Whatcom County inmate search. It lets the public check an individual’s custody status, including where they are being held, booking date, and charges.

The Whatcom County jail is operated by the Whatcom County Corrections Bureau, a division of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The Corrections Bureau oversees detention, inmate programs, and alternatives to incarceration. It is responsible for handling daily jail operations, supervising inmates, and managing custody. The jail provides an inmate lookup system or jail roster that allows residents to see who is currently in custody. This record access follows the principle of transparency in compliance with the Washington Public Records Act.

However, under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 70.48.100, information shown in the Jail Roster is limited to protect privacy and comply with legal requirements. In light of this, certain sensitive details may be withheld.

Furthermore, some collaborating law enforcement agencies, including city police departments, also maintain their own lists of individuals arrested by officers. For instance, the Bellingham Police Department and Lynden Police Department are law enforcement agencies operating in the county. However, these agencies also process their arrests through the county jail. Information about their arrestees is included in the county jail sheriff’s office.

How to Find an Inmate in Whatcom County Jail

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office operates the Whatcom County jail. Interested parties seeking to find an inmate in the county jail may use the online jail roster available on the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office website. Alternatively, they may call the county jail directly for information. The jail roster only shows individuals currently housed in the facility; it does not include those who have already been released or transferred. Users can locate inmates by looking through the alphabetical list or by conducting a name search using the search box provided.

Moreover, on the jail roster, record seekers can click through to find detailed information such as the offender’s criminal charges, bail/ bond amount, and public mugshot. Alternatively, record seekers may write to the county jail requesting information about an inmate, including a copy of an inmate’s mugshot, by mail or email. They must include a self-addressed envelope.

Whatcom County Jail,

2030 Division Street,

Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone: (360) 778-6500

How to Use the Whatcom County Jail Roster

To access the Whatcom County, Washington, Jail Roster, record seekers should follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser and visit the county website
2. Navigate to the "Departments" section and select "Sheriff."
3. On the Sheriff’s page, locate the section labelled "Quick Links" and select "updated jail bookings."
4. The jail roster shows an updated alphabetical list of inmates presently held in custody.
5. In the search box, record seekers may search for inmates by name.

For more information or further inquiries, record seekers may call the jail directly at (360) 776-6500.

What Information is Included in the Whatcom County Inmate Roster

When a loved one is incarcerated, it is a challenging period for relatives and friends who may be concerned about their exact location and possible legal next steps. The Whatcom County Jail inmate roster provides confirmation of custody status and basic information. This gives clarity and reassurance to concerned family members, attorneys, and members of the public seeking accurate information.

A Whatcom County inmate roster typically contains the following:

• Full name: the arrestee’s legal name recorded at the time of booking.
• Booking date: the date the individual was arrested by law enforcement.
• Charges: the criminal charges leveled against the individual based on the report provided by the arresting agency.
• Bond or bail Information: the amount that must be paid to secure the offender’s release. In some serious cases, bond or bail is not an option.
• Booking ID: The unique identification number assigned to the arrestee when booked into the jail.
• Custody status: The offender’s current status within the jail system, such as whether they are in custody, discharged, transferred, released on bail, or pending court proceedings.
• Housing unit: The exact unit or block location where the arrestee is assigned within the facility.

In accordance with the Washington Public Records Act, the main function of the inmate roster is to confirm custody status, not necessarily to provide full legal or personal information. Therefore, information provided in the Whatcom County Jail inmate roster is basic and limited. For instance, the roster does not provide information regarding released inmates.

Moreover, in line with the Records Act, there are restrictions on publicly accessible information. For instance, some personal identifiers are withheld. Also, sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or medical information, is excluded. In addition, information about sexual offenses or domestic violence may be limited to information about the charge, with no further details.

Contact Details for Whatcom County Jail or Sheriff’s Office

Relatives, legal representatives, and others who need to know how to find out if an individual is in jail should contact the support desk of the Sheriff’s Office. The County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for overseeing law enforcement within the county.

They may begin by looking up the county jail’s website. They may also visit the Public Safety Building at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA, 98225, or call (360) 778-6500. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Before placing a call, they must have the inmate’s full name and date of birth available.

Agency	Office and Mail Address	Phone Number	Office Hours	Email
Whatcom County Jail	311, Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA, 98225	(360) 778-6500	8 a.m. to 4 p.m	The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office operates the jail. Requesters can send an email at sheriff@co.whatcom.wa.us

Jail Facility Overview in Whatcom County

The Whatcom County Jail is a medium-security corrections facility that manages pretrial detainees and sentenced individuals in custody. The facility accommodates adult men and women. It has a capacity of 212 inmates and is designed to hold different categories of inmates. The facility has a secure perimeter and controlled access with separate housing for varying security levels.

In addition to the main jail, the County operates an Interim Work Center as an alternative facility. This center houses individuals on work release or alternative program assignments. These are low-risk inmates who do not require full jail custody.

Whatcom County also operates a 32-bed capacity juvenile detention facility. It is located on the 6th floor of the Whatcom County Courthouse. This facility is prepared for youth under the age of 18 who are detained for juvenile justice proceedings.

Agency	Office and Mail Address	Phone Number	Office Hours	Email
Whatcom County Jail	311 Grand Avenue Bellingham, Washington 98225	(360) 778-6500	Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.	sheriff@co.whatcom.wa.us
Interim Work Center	2030 Division Street, Bellingham, WA 98226	(360) 778-6450	Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.	sheriff@co.whatcom.wa.us
Juvenile Detention Facility	311 Grand Avenue Bellingham, Washington 98225	(360) 778-6670	Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	records@co.whatcom.wa.us

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Whatcom County Jail

The Whatcom County Jail allows friends and family members to send funds to an inmate’s commissary account. This account is used to purchase personal items, such as phone calls, hygiene products, and other approved services.

Family and friends may add funds to an inmate’s commissary account at the inmate canteen or at one of the kiosks within the facility. Additionally, they can buy food or supplies for inmates through the commissary vendor, Summit. The vendor will deliver packages to inmates via the Inmate Canteen website. Moreover, friends and family can fund an inmate’s telephone services through IC Solutions.

For those who prefer to send funds through the mail, or if electronic options are not possible, the County Jail accepts mailed money orders or cashier’s checks under strict conditions. Some funding conditions by mail include:

• Do not send cash or personal checks. These are not accepted.
• Use a money order or cashier’s check from a reputable issuer, such as the U.S. Post Office, Bank, credit union, or Western Union.
• Make the money order payable to Whatcom County Jail.

Write the inmate’s full name and inmate ID number on the memo line. Mail to:

Whatcom County Jail

311 Grand Avenue

Bellingham, WA 98225

Inmate Search by Jail Facility

The Whatcom County Interim Work Center is part of the Whatcom County Corrections Bureau operated by the County Sheriff’s Office. The facility houses inmates classified as minimum security or low- to medium-risk, as well as participants in alternative sentencing and work programs. The Interim Work Center does not have its own separate lookup page. Rather, inmates at the Work Center are included in the county’s overall jail roster.

If searchers cannot locate an individual online, they may contact the Work Center directly at (360) 778-6450. Record seekers may also visit the facility in person at 2030 Division Street, Bellingham, WA 98226 during office hours to request information or verify custody.

Whatcom County Visitation Rules and Schedules

Inmate visitation at the Whatcom County Jail is held on Saturday and Sunday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The County Jail has two visitation centers, each with different visiting times.

Whatcom County Jail

311 Grand Avenue

Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone: (360) 778-6500

Interim Work Center

2030 Division Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

Visitation is open to family members and friends of inmates. Each inmate is permitted three 1-hour visits per week. However, attorneys, clergy, and legal representatives are allowed visitation regardless of the regular schedule, but they must still follow the facility’s security protocols.

Visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo ID. Bringing items such as cell phones, bags, food, cameras, and electronic devices into the visiting area is prohibited.

Additionally, the following dressing rules apply:

• No revealing outfits
• No offensive graphics
• No transparent clothing
• No gang-related attire

Mailing and Commissary Information

Communication with incarcerated loved ones provides emotional support and helps to identify and address issues they may be facing. In light of this, friends and family may communicate with inmates at the Whatcom County Jail by sending mail through the US Postal Service. All incoming mail is subject to inspection. Envelopes should be clearly addressed with the inmate’s full name, booking number, and the jail’s mailing address:

Whatcom County Jail,

311 Grand Avenue,

Bellingham, WA, 98225

Whatcom County Jail prohibits sending inmates the following items:

• Cash
• Stamps
• Polaroid photos
• Stickers
• Any content that is threatening or otherwise deemed inappropriate

Family members and friends who want to deposit funds into an inmate’s commissary account may use one of the following methods:

• Online deposit using a credit or debit card.
• Self-service lobby kiosk for cash or card deposits.
• Money orders sent by mail.
• Through the third-party vendor used by the facility, the inmate canteen.