Bristol County, Massachusetts Inmate Search
A Bristol County inmate search enables family, friends, counsels, or the general public to locate an individual currently held in the local correctional facilities. It allows people to verify an individual’s location, the charges they face, their booking number, and their potential release or court dates.
The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) administers the county’s three jails and provides the public with official phone numbers for inmate-related inquiries.
Some municipal police departments run separate detention facilities, typically for temporary holds. For example, the New Bedford Police Department maintains on-premise holding cells for processing and lockup after an arrest. Meanwhile, the City of Fall River Police Department operates a jail unit with short-term detention cells for males, females, and juveniles. Because these lockups are transitional, they generally do not maintain jail rosters, although agencies still preserve arrest records.
How to Find an Inmate in Bristol County Jail
To find an inmate in any of Bristol County’s jails, inquiries must be made directly through official channels since the Sheriff’s Office does not provide a public inmate lookup tool.
Individuals can call the BCSO directly at (508) 995-6400 to clarify an inmate’s jail location or housing unit. Searchers should provide identifying information, such as name, date of birth (DOB), or booking details, to enable officials to locate the person.
If phone requests are unavailable or unsuccessful, one can visit the jail administration office in person, bringing a valid photo ID and the inmate’s identifying information.
Bristol County Jail/House of Correction (BCHOC)
400 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
How to Use the Bristol County Jail Roster
Bristol County does not maintain an official jail roster for public inspection. Nonetheless, first-time inquirers can utilize a step-by-step process to obtain the desired inmate information through official channels.
As the county operates three standalone correction facilities, it is paramount to identify which one houses the individual in question. Calling the Sheriff’s Office may suffice if a name is available. One can also check arrest news or reports, or inspect a court docket.
The next step is to gather essential information, such as the inmate’s full name, DOB, or booking number. Providing these details helps officials identify the correct individual when contacted.
With all relevant details ready, searchers can contact the jail administration directly at (508) 995-6400 to request custody information and visitation or mailing guidelines.
What Information is Included in the Bristol County Inmate Roster
Searchers who inquire about inmate records through official channels may be able to view the following details in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law.
- Full Name: The arrestee’s name recorded during the booking process.
- Booking Number: An identifier assigned to the specific arrest incident or custody stay.
- Booking Date: The date and time an individual was officially processed into the detention facility.
- Offense/Charges: A description of the attempted or committed offense, typically described using standard terminology for brevity.
- Location: The specific jail or housing unit where the individual is being held.
- Custody Status: Whether the individual has been released, transferred, or is in custody
- Court Date: The date of the inmate’s next scheduled court appearance
M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26) and related laws stipulate that certain inmate information, such as the following, cannot be released to the general public.
- Juvenile records involving anyone under 18 years of age.
- Details of an inmate’s medical or mental health history.
- The names and addresses of (alleged) victims, especially in domestic violence or sexual assault cases.
As a result, the general public is typically restricted to basic inmate information when contacting Bristol County jail officials.
Contact Details for Bristol County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
The public can use the following contact information to speak with staff, verify an inmate’s status, or make general inquiries about the Bristol County correctional system.
Primary Contact Information
The House of Correction complex in North Dartmouth serves administrative functions for the BCSO and correctional functions as the main county jail.
Address: 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747
Phone: (508) 995-6400
Website: Bristol County Sheriff’s Office
Specialized Service Lines
- Inmate Information and Booking: Call the main line and dial extension 2535 to check if someone is in custody or has been processed.
- Visitation & Records: Call the main line and ask for the Records Department
- Ash Street Jail: Call (508) 996-6704 to inquire about inmates at the regional lockup in New Bedford.
- Civil Process Division: Call (508) 992-6631 for matters involving legal papers, civil arrests, or subpoenas.
The table below summarizes contact information for the county’s correctional system and lists the official email for general inquiries.
|
Department/Contact Category |
Contact Type |
Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Main Jail |
Physical Address |
400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747 |
|
Main Line |
Phone |
(508) 995-6400 |
|
Inmate Information & Booking |
Extension |
(508) 995-6400, Ext. 2535 |
|
Ash Street Jail |
Phone |
(508) 996-6704 |
|
Civil Process |
Phone |
(508) 992-6631 |
|
General Inquiries |
|
Jail Facility Overview in Bristol County
Bristol County operates three detention centers managed by the Sheriff’s Office. The largest is the Bristol County House of Correction in North Dartmouth. The facility has a design capacity of 1,100 beds, including a 400-bed modular unit.
The BCHOC houses male and female inmates separately. Both groups include pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. It is a maximum-security facility, although some areas, such as the substance abuse unit, operate under lower security levels.
The Ash Street Jail and Regional Lock-Up in New Bedford is among the oldest active jails in the United States. It primarily houses adult male pretrial detainees and has a capacity of approximately 200 inmates.
Other facilities in the county provide more specialized housing. The Women’s Center is a medium-security facility that accommodates about 106 women. It shares the North Dartmouth complex with the main jail.
For youth, the state’s Department of Youth Services (DYS) operates the Goss Building in Taunton. This building serves as a secure facility for male and female juveniles detained or sentenced in Bristol and nearby counties.
|
Jail |
Address |
Phone Number |
Office Hours |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bristol County House of Correction (Main Jail) |
400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747 |
(508) 995-6400 |
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday | |
|
Ash Street Jail |
226 Ash Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 |
(508) 996-6704 |
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday | |
|
BCSO’s Women’s Center |
400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747 |
(508) 995-6400 |
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday | |
|
DYS Goss Building (Juvenile) |
60 Hodges Avenue, Taunton, MA 02780 |
(508) 828-3800 |
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday |
The MA DYS does not list a dedicated public email address. (See Agency Contact page) |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Bristol County House of Correction
The Bristol County House of Correction offers several authorized methods for friends and family to send money to inmates. The facility partners with a vendor to provide commissary account deposits for all approved jail residents. Accordingly, every method listed here, except those involving cash transfers, is subject to service charges based on transfer amount.
On-Site Kiosk
Individuals may visit the jail complex in North Dartmouth and make deposits through the physical kiosks in the lobby. Friends and family may use this service before or after visitation, and at any other time, subject to the facility’s operating hours. These machines generally accept only cash deposits.
Online/App
People can deposit money into inmate accounts on the online provider’s website or via the mobile app. Users who use this route must create an account on the platform. To send money, one must select the state (Massachusetts), choose the agency (Bristol County Sheriff’s Office), and provide the inmate’s full name or ID number.
Phone
Family and friends can call the 24/7 customer service line (specified in the preceding link) to make deposits via Visa or MasterCard.
Unlike the other methods, mailing funds does not include additional fees beyond standard postage. All individuals who send funds by mail must complete the Money Order Deposit Form and include a money order or bank check. Personal checks or paper cash are not accepted.
Below is the mailing address:
Inmate’s Name, Inmate’s ID Number
Bristol County House of Correction
400 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
The facility typically limits transfers to $300 maximum per sender per day.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
While some counties maintain a unified online search portal, individuals often require direct contact with the Bristol County jail administration to obtain information about individuals in custody.
As mentioned, the local Sheriff’s Office operates three distinct jails, but there is no publicly available jail roster on the public BCSO website. Each facility’s dedicated information line is the most direct source for custody information.
For parents, legal guardians, and attorneys, official information regarding Bristol County juveniles sentenced or awaiting disposition is obtainable through the Department of Youth Services (DYS). In accordance with Massachusetts law, there is no public roster or online inmate search for juvenile offenders.
The table presents the roster status for the county’s detention facilities and where to find official information.
|
Facility |
Availability of Public Roster/Online Search |
Where to Find Information |
|---|---|---|
|
Bristol County House of Correction |
No |
Call (508) 995-6400 (Ext. 2535) |
|
Ash Street Jail |
No |
Call (508) 996-6704 |
|
BCSO Women’s Center |
No |
Call (508) 995-6400 |
|
Juvenile Detention (DYS) |
No (confidential) |
Contact the MA DYS Southeast Regional Office |
|
Work Release & Related Programs |
No |
Call (508) 995-6400 |
Bristol County Visitation Rules and Schedules
Bristol County House of Correction provides video visitation services for inmates and their approved visitors. Video visitation allows for consistent contact between incarcerated individuals and the outside world. The facility, through its service provider, offers two primary methods for scheduled visits:
- On-Site Video: Individuals can use a dedicated video terminal at the facility to interact with a person in custody. This service is typically free.
- Remote Visits: Individuals use their home computers or other digital devices to conduct visits via the approved service provider’s website. This service costs a platform fee.
To receive visitation approval, users must complete a Request to Visit form that authorizes the facility to perform a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check.
Once that is complete, users can schedule visits but must provide a valid government-issued photo ID to gain on-site access. People under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian and may be required to provide proof of their relationship to the inmate.
Visitation hours are arranged in time blocks and by housing units, with each unit assigned to two or three blocks per week. Each visitation typically lasts an hour or less, and no more than two minors may accompany an approved adult during visitation.
The public can consult the official handbook for comprehensive guidelines on visitation rules, the visitor dress code, and the prohibited items list.
Mailing and Commissary Information
The BCSO allows inmates at the county’s facilities to send and receive mail, provided they follow facility guidelines. All incoming correspondence must be properly stamped and feature the sender’s full name and address on the envelope.
Correspondence to the Dartmouth jail or Women’s Center should use the following address format:
Inmate’s Full Name, Booking Number
Bristol County House of Correction
400 Faunce Corner Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
Letters to an inmate in the Ash Street Facility should be addressed thus:
Inmate’s Full Name, Booking Number
Bristol County Jail
226 Ash Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Jail authorities permit standard letters, cards, drawings, and photos, but prohibit certain mail content, including
- Anything not approved for inmate possession (this is typically confiscated as contraband)
- Cash
- Weapons, tools, drugs, tobacco, or alcohol
- Sexually explicit materials
- Items that could conceal contraband
- Visitor drop-offs during visits; all mail must be carrier-delivered
Jail officials search all incoming and outgoing correspondence for contraband. Where a prohibited item is discovered, it may trigger criminal action against the sender or recipient.