St. James Parish Released Inmates
Released inmates from St. James Parish can be found through the sheriff's office in Convent and state search tools. The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office keeps all jail booking and release records for the area. Free online search tools let you look up names, check custody status, and see release dates from any device. The parish connects to the statewide LAVNS system so you can track inmates and get alerts when someone is released. Walk-in and written requests for older records are accepted at the sheriff's office during business hours.
St. James Parish Quick Facts
St. James Parish Sheriff's Office
The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office runs the parish jail and keeps all inmate records. The office is at 5800 Highway 44 in Convent. You can call (225) 562-2200 for general info. The jail line is (225) 562-2204. Walk-in requests for released inmate records are handled at this same address during regular hours.
Written requests can be sent by mail. Under the Louisiana Public Records Act, R.S. 44:1, most jail booking records are open to the public. Staff at the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office can look up released inmate files, booking logs, and charge data on request. Standard copy fees apply, typically between $0.25 and $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost a bit more than plain ones.
The screenshot below shows the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office website, which has contact info and links to parish services.
The sheriff's site covers a range of parish services beyond inmate records. For jail-related questions, the jail phone number is the best line to use.
| Main Office |
St. James Parish Sheriff's Office 5800 Highway 44 Convent, LA 70723 Phone: (225) 562-2200 |
|---|---|
| Jail Direct | Phone: (225) 562-2204 |
| Fax | (225) 562-2204 |
Search St. James Parish Inmates Online
The St. James Parish LAVNS roster is the best free tool for looking up released inmates. This roster shows live jail data and updates every 30 minutes. Search by name, ID, or case number. Each listing has the inmate's name, age, gender, booking date, charges, bond amount, and custody status. When a person is released, the record shows that change with the date.
LAVNS stands for the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System. It covers every parish jail in the state. You can make a free account and set up alerts for a specific person. The system will call, text, or email you when their custody status changes. This covers releases, transfers, and escapes. It runs at no cost around the clock.
The statewide VINELink portal also covers St. James Parish. It pulls data from all 64 parishes into a single search. Type a name, pick St. James Parish, and view results. It is free and takes just a few seconds to use.
Released Inmates Records in St. James Parish
A record is created every time someone is booked into the St. James Parish jail. That record stays on file even after the person leaves. It includes the full name, age, and gender. Booking date, charges, and bond amount are all part of the file. When the person is released, the date and reason are added to the record. Standard LAVNS format is used, matching the format seen across all Louisiana parishes.
Louisiana law controls what records can be shared. Under R.S. 15:574.12, records held by the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections are private. Only age, offense, conviction date, sentence length, and misconduct while locked up can be released from those files. Local jail data is treated differently. Under R.S. 44:3, most booking and arrest records held by the sheriff are public. That means you can get basic facts about released inmates from St. James Parish by asking the sheriff's office or checking the LAVNS roster.
Note: If you need state-level records, send a request to DPS&C at P.O. Box 94304, Baton Rouge, LA 70804, or email docpublicrecords@la.gov.
St. James Parish Inmates and State Resources
If a St. James Parish inmate was sent to a state prison, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections holds those records. Their site has a "Locate Imprisoned Person" tool covering every state facility. The automated phone line is (225) 383-4580. Have the person's name and date of birth, or their DPS&C number.
The DPS&C offender information page explains how to get release dates, facility addresses, and parole status. LAVNS data refreshes twice daily for state prisons. For parish jails like St. James, updates come every 15 minutes, keeping the data close to live.
For a formal request, the DPS&C public records page outlines the process. Mail to the Deputy Secretary's Office or email docpublicrecords@la.gov. Under R.S. 44:1, only records defined as public can be shared. Most state inmate files are off limits except the few data points allowed by R.S. 15:574.12.
St. James Parish Record Fees
Searching online is free. The LAVNS roster and VINELink portal cost nothing to use. Paper copies from the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office come with standard copy fees. Those run from $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies are higher. Large requests may need payment up front before staff starts pulling records.
The online tools are the easiest place to start. Use them before making a trip to the office.
Cities in St. James Parish
St. James Parish has a few small communities. Convent is the parish seat. Other areas include Lutcher, Gramercy, and Paulina. All released inmates from these areas go through the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office. No separate city jails keep their own inmate records in this parish.
Nearby Parishes
These parishes border St. James Parish. Check the arrest location if you are unsure which jurisdiction handled a booking. Released inmates are tracked by the parish where they were booked.