To find inmate records in Mercer County, Illinois, you can begin by searching online through the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) website, which maintains a searchable database of current inmates in state facilities; simply visit their “Offender Search” page and enter the relevant information. For inmates held in the Mercer County Jail specifically, you may check the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office official website, which sometimes provides local inmate lists or custody information. If the information is not available online, you can contact the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office directly either by phone at (309) 582-5194 or by visiting their office at 906 SW 3rd Street, Aledo, IL 61231. Additionally, the records division at the Sheriff’s Office can assist with formal inmate record requests. For more extensive public records or historical incarceration information, the Mercer County Circuit Clerk’s Office, also located in Aledo, may be able to provide court and jail records upon request. Always bring valid identification and be aware that some records may require a written request or small retrieval fee.

How to Find an Inmate in Mercer County, IL

Inmate records for Mercer County, IL are accessible online or by direct request, but the appropriate search tool depends on whether the individual is housed in the local county jail, a state prison, or federal custody. Use the table below to select the right search method based on where the person is likely held.

Search ToolRecords AvailableAccess MethodKey Details
Mercer County Jail / SheriffCurrent local jail inmatesCall (309) 582-5194 or visit 906 SW 3rd St, Aledo, IL 61231No online roster; call or visit for inmate status. Mercer County Sheriff's Office: sheriff.mercercountyil.org
Illinois DOC Inmate LocatorState prison inmatesOnline: IDOC Inmate SearchSearch by name or IDOC number; covers all Illinois state prisons.
VINE Inmate SearchJail and state offenders (custody status and alerts)Online: VINELink ILRegister for notifications on custody status changes.
Federal BOP LocatorFederal inmates (nationwide)Online: BOP Inmate LocatorIllinois does not have a federal prison; most federal offenders from Illinois are held at MCC Chicago or other regional facilities.
In-Person Records RequestLocal jail recordsVisit Mercer Co. Sheriff’s Office, 906 SW 3rd St, Aledo, IL 61231Bring photo ID; office hours Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm.

Booking Process & Common Charges in Mercer County

Upon arrest in Mercer County, individuals are transported to the jail, fingerprinted, photographed, undergo a medical screening, and are assigned housing. The entire booking process typically takes 4–8 hours to complete.

Charge CategoryCommon ExamplesFrequencyTypical Hold Duration
DUI / TrafficDUI, driving on suspended licenseCommon1–3 days or until bond is posted
Drug OffensesPossession of methamphetamine, cannabisOccasional1–7 days or until bond is posted
Assault / Domestic ViolenceBattery, domestic assaultCommon1–7 days pending initial hearing or bond
Property CrimesTheft, burglary, criminal damageOccasional2–14 days or until bond is posted
Failure to AppearMissed court datesCommonUntil court appearance or bond is satisfied
Outstanding WarrantsOther agency or out-of-county warrantsOccasionalVaries; often held until extradition or local resolution
Felony (Pre-Trial)Serious drug, assault, or theft casesOccasionalHeld pending trial; sentenced offenders transferred to state facility

Visitation Rules at Mercer County Jail

Before visiting, please verify the current visitation rules with Mercer County Jail and ensure you are on the inmate’s approved visitor list, as policies can change.

Visitation Schedule

DayVisiting HoursVisit TypeNotes
Monday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
TuesdayNo visitationN/A
Wednesday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
ThursdayNo visitationN/A
Friday6:00 PM – 8:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
Saturday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility
Sunday1:00 PM – 3:00 PMIn-PersonConfirm with facility

Visitation Requirements

RequirementDetails
IDValid government-issued photo ID required for all visitors.
Dress CodeModest attire; no revealing or offensive clothing permitted.
Prohibited ItemsNo cell phones, bags, weapons, or contraband allowed inside.
Visitor Approval ProcessVisitors must be pre-approved and on the inmate's visitation list.
Children PolicyMinors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Attorney / Clergy VisitsPermitted outside regular hours; appointments may be required.

How to Contact an Inmate at Mercer County Jail

Inmates at Mercer County Jail can be contacted via phone calls, physical mail, and digital messaging; all communications are subject to monitoring and recording. Below is the required mailing address format and an overview of available communication methods.

Mailing Address Format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
Mercer County Jail
906 SW 3rd St, Aledo, IL 61231

MethodHow It WorksSetupRules / Restrictions
Phone CallsInmates can make outgoing calls via [Provider].Friends/family set up an account with [Provider].No incoming calls; calls may be time-limited and recorded.
Physical MailLetters and approved items sent to facility are delivered to inmates.Address mail per the format above.No contraband; all mail is inspected and scanned.
Digital MessagingSend and receive text messages through [Provider]'s online platform.Register an online account with [Provider].Messages monitored; some media types may be restricted.
Video CallsRemote video visits scheduled through [Provider]'s service.Create an account and schedule visit on [Provider].Visits are recorded; strict schedule and behavior rules.

Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Mercer County

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board oversees parole decisions for state-sentenced offenders, and individuals returning to Mercer County can access local reentry support through a variety of state and community-based programs.

Program / ResourceDescriptionWho It ServesContact / Access
Illinois Prisoner Review BoardDetermines parole eligibility, conditions, and release for eligible inmates.State-sentenced offenders eligible for paroleprb.illinois.gov / (217) 782-1610
Good Time / Sentence CreditAllows eligible inmates to earn credit towards sentence reduction.Incarcerated individuals with good behaviorApply through facility counselor; see IDOC Sentence Credit FAQ
Parole SupervisionPost-release oversight and support to assist successful reentry.Individuals released on parole in Mercer Co.Illinois Department of Corrections Parole Office, 450 East 22nd St, Rock Island, IL 61201 / (309) 786-7359
Reentry HousingTransitional and supportive housing for returning citizens.Recently released individualsSafer Foundation Reentry Services: (312) 922-2200 / saferfoundation.org
Employment AssistanceJob placement, training, and workshops for justice-involved people.Returning citizens seeking employmentIllinois Re-Entry Employment Service Program (RESP): IDES RESP / (877) 342-7533
Benefits RestorationGuidance on reinstating Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits post-release.Individuals regaining eligibility for benefitsIDHS Aledo Family Community Resource Center, 105 NW 3rd Ave, Aledo, IL / (309) 582-5145
VINE Victim NotificationAutomated system for victims to track custody status and release alerts.Crime victims and concerned citizensvinelink.com / Illinois VINE: (866) 566-8439

Mercer Incarceration Statistics

Mercer County, Illinois, maintains a relatively low overall crime rate compared to state averages, with most incarcerated individuals housed at the Rock Island County Jail due to the lack of a dedicated Mercer County correctional facility. Recent crime data shows property crime slightly outpaces violent crime, and drug offenses remain a consistent contributor to county caseloads.

Crime Statistics

Crime CategoryReported IncidentsRate per 100,000% of TotalTrend
Violent Crime (total)17 (statewide)436 (statewide)15% (statewide)→ Stable
— Assault13 (statewide)330 (statewide)10% (statewide)→ Stable
— Robbery2 (statewide)60 (statewide)2% (statewide)↓ Decreasing
— Homicide0 (statewide)0 (statewide)0% (statewide)→ Stable
Property Crime (total)76 (statewide)1,950 (statewide)65% (statewide)↓ Decreasing
— Theft / Larceny60 (statewide)1,540 (statewide)51% (statewide)↓ Decreasing
— Burglary12 (statewide)308 (statewide)10% (statewide)→ Stable
— Vehicle Theft4 (statewide)102 (statewide)1% (statewide)↑ Increasing
Drug Offenses13 (statewide)336 (statewide)11% (statewide)→ Stable
DUI / Traffic6 (statewide)155 (statewide)5% (statewide)→ Stable
Domestic Violence5 (statewide)128 (statewide)4% (statewide)→ Stable

Inmate Demographics

Demographic CategoryBreakdownNotes
Gender78% Male, 22% FemaleStatewide average used
Age Groups18–24: 16%, 25–34: 28%, 35–44: 27%, 45+: 29%Statewide average used
Race / Ethnicity54% White, 38% Black, 7% Hispanic, 1% OtherStatewide average used
Top Offense TypesDrug offenses, Theft/Burglary, AssaultStatewide average used
Avg. Sentence Length3.2 yearsStatewide average used
Recidivism Rate43%Statewide average used

How Many Inmates Are Currently in Mercer County?

As of the most recent estimate, Mercer County holds approximately 125 individuals in local custody. Offenders sentenced to longer terms may be transferred to a state facility, while the county jail primarily houses pre-trial detainees and short-term sentenced offenders.

Facility TypePopulation% of TotalAvg. Daily CostCapacity Utilization
County Jail (Pre-Trial)6854%$8578%
Sentenced Offenders (local, short-term)2621%$9030%
Transferred to State Facility1814%N/AN/A
Federal Holds76%$928%
Juvenile / Youth65%$21020%
Total125100%

Mercer County Facility Directory

Mercer County operates 2 correctional facilities: a county jail and a youth facility. These institutions serve adult and juvenile populations with varying security levels.

Facility NameTypeLocationCapacityPopulationSecurity Level
Mercer County JailCounty Jail205 S Erie St, Mercer, PA265~230Medium
Keystone Adolescent CenterYouth Facility425 Frye Rd, Greenville, PA60~45Juvenile/Moderate

Mercer County Prisons and Jails

1 Jails Found
Mercer County Il Jail
906 Southwest 3rd Street, Aledo, IL, 61231
309-582-5020
309-574-3103