Search Matagorda County, TX Jail & Inmate Records
Table of Contents
- Matagorda County Inmate Search and Records
- How to Find an Inmate in Matagorda County, TX
- Booking Process & Common Charges in Matagorda County
- Visitation Rules at Matagorda County Jail
- How to Contact an Inmate at Matagorda County Jail
- Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Matagorda County
- Matagorda Incarceration Statistics
- How Many Inmates Are Currently in Matagorda County?
- Matagorda County Facility Directory
- Matagorda Prisons and Jails
- Useful Links
To find inmate records in Matagorda County, Texas, you can use both online and offline methods. Online, start by visiting the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office official website, which may offer an inmate search tool or provide current jail roster information; if a direct search is unavailable, contact the Sheriff's Office at https://www.co.matagorda.tx.us/page/matagorda.Sheriff. Additionally, statewide resources like the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Information Search (https://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/) can be useful for locating individuals incarcerated in state prisons. For offline searches, you may visit or contact the Matagorda County Sheriff's Office located at 2308 Ave F, Bay City, TX 77414, or call their non-emergency number at (979) 245-5526 to inquire about inmate information and public visitation hours. You can also request records in person or by mail from the Matagorda County Jail, which operates under the Sheriff’s Office. Always have the individual’s full name and date of birth ready to expedite your search.
How to Find an Inmate in Matagorda County, TX
Inmate records for Matagorda County, TX are accessible through various online tools, depending on whether the individual is in a local county jail, a Texas state prison, or federal custody. Use the appropriate resource below based on where the person may be held.
| Search Tool | Records Available | Access Method | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matagorda Jail / Sheriff Dept. | Jail inmates at Matagorda County Jail | Visit Matagorda County Sheriff's Office or call (979) 245-5526 | Contact: 2308 Avenue F, Bay City, TX 77414. No online roster; call for info. |
| Texas DOC Inmate Locator | Texas state prison inmates | Search Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search | State prison records only; use for individuals sentenced to state time. |
| VINE Inmate Search | County jail and state prison inmates | Visit Texas VINE | Free and anonymous inmate status notifications; statewide search for county and state facilities. |
| Federal BOP Locator | Federal inmates (past & present) | Search Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator | No federal prison in Matagorda County; most Texas federal inmates are held at FCI Three Rivers, FCI Beaumont, or nearby FCI. |
| In-Person Records Request | All local jail inmate custody records | Visit Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office at 2308 Avenue F, Bay City, TX 77414 | Photo ID required; allow business hours for assistance. |
Booking Process & Common Charges in Matagorda County
After arrest in Matagorda County, individuals are transported to the jail where they undergo a standard booking process including fingerprinting, photographing, medical screening, and housing assignment. The average processing time from arrival to housing is typically 4–8 hours.
| Charge Category | Common Examples | Frequency | Typical Hold Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUI / Traffic | DWI, Driving While License Invalid | High | 8–24 hours or until bail is posted |
| Drug Offenses | Possession of Marijuana, Meth, etc. | High | 1–3 days or until bail is posted |
| Assault / Domestic Violence | Misdemeanor Assault, Family Violence | Moderate | 1–5 days or until bail/arraignment |
| Property Crimes | Theft, Burglary, Criminal Mischief | Moderate | 1–5 days or until bail is posted |
| Failure to Appear | Missed Court Date | Moderate | Until court appearance or payment of fines |
| Outstanding Warrants | Probation Violation, Child Support | Moderate | Until warrant cleared or appearance before judge |
| Felony (Pre-Trial) | Aggravated Assault, Repeat Felony | Moderate | Until trial or transfer to state facility if sentenced |
Visitation Rules at Matagorda County Jail
Before visiting Matagorda County Jail, please verify the latest visitation rules with the facility, as policies may change. Confirm you are on the inmate's approved visitor list prior to your visit.
Visitation Schedule
| Day | Visiting Hours | Visit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | In-person | Confirm with facility |
| Tuesday | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | In-person | Confirm with facility |
| Wednesday | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | In-person | Confirm with facility |
| Thursday | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | In-person | Confirm with facility |
| Friday | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | In-person | Confirm with facility |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | In-person | Confirm with facility |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | In-person | Confirm with facility |
Visitation Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| ID | Valid, government-issued photo identification required |
| Dress Code | Modest attire required; no revealing or provocative clothing |
| Prohibited Items | No weapons, electronics, food, or personal items allowed |
| Visitor Approval Process | Visitors must be pre-approved and listed on the inmate’s visitation list |
| Children Policy | Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian |
| Attorney / Clergy Visits | Allowed; contact jail for scheduling and specific procedures |
How to Contact an Inmate at Matagorda County Jail
Inmates at Matagorda County Jail can be contacted through phone calls, physical mail, and digital messaging, with all forms of communication subject to monitoring by jail staff for security reasons.
Mailing Address Format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
Matagorda County Jail
2323 Avenue E, Bay City, TX 77414
| Method | How It Works | Setup | Rules / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Calls | Inmates place outbound calls using [Provider] phone services. | Friends/family set up an account with [Provider]. | Calls are recorded; recipients may need to be on approved list. |
| Physical Mail | Mail is delivered to inmates after inspection by staff. | Address mail using the provided format. | No contraband, explicit material, or cash allowed. |
| Digital Messaging | Messages sent and received via [Provider] system kiosks or app. | Set up an account with [Provider]. | Content is monitored; delivery may be delayed for review. |
| Video Calls | Remote video visits scheduled through [Provider] platform. | Create an account and schedule with [Provider]. | Calls are monitored and are subject to specific times. |
Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Matagorda County
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles oversees parole decisions and supervision for state-sentenced offenders, with additional reentry support available through state and community-based programs in Matagorda County.
| Program / Resource | Description | Who It Serves | Contact / Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles | Makes parole/release decisions and approves conditions of supervision. | State-sentenced offenders eligible for parole | https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/bpp/ (844) 512-0461 |
| Good Time / Sentence Reduction | "Good time" and diligent participation credits can reduce time to parole eligibility. | Incarcerated individuals in TDCJ | Good Conduct Time Info |
| Parole Supervision – Bay City | Supervises parolees released to Matagorda County. | Parolees residing in/returning to the county | TDCJ Parole Office – Bay City 2102 Avenue G, Bay City, TX 77414 (979) 241-2207 |
| Reentry Housing | Helps returning citizens find stable, transitional, or permanent housing post-release. | Recently released individuals and families | Texas Reentry Services https://texasreentryservices.org/ (817) 834-2833 |
| Employment Assistance | Job search, training, and placement services for parolees/reentrants. | Individuals with criminal backgrounds | Texas Workforce Solutions – Bay City 2105 Avenue G, Bay City, TX 77414 (979) 245-4808 |
| Benefits Restoration | Assists with reinstating Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, and other benefits post-release. | Individuals reentering the community | Texas Reentry & Integration Division (877) 887-6151 https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/rid/ |
| VINE Victim Notification | Victim notification system for custody/parole status updates. | Crime victims, survivors, concerned individuals | https://vinelink.vineapps.com/search/TX (877) 894-8463 |
Matagorda Incarceration Statistics
Matagorda County has a moderate crime rate compared to other Texas counties, with property crimes comprising the majority of reported incidents. The county operates the Matagorda County Jail; inmates are not typically held at a regional facility.
Crime Statistics
| Crime Category | Reported Incidents | Rate per 100,000 | % of Total | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime (total) | 73 | 271 | 13% | → Stable |
| — Assault | 61 | 226 | 10.9% | ↑ Increasing |
| — Robbery | 8 | 30 | 1.4% | → Stable |
| — Homicide | 4 | 15 | 0.7% | ↓ Decreasing |
| Property Crime (total) | 453 | 1,685 | 81% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Theft / Larceny | 356 | 1,326 | 63.7% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Burglary | 69 | 257 | 12.3% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Vehicle Theft | 28 | 102 | 5.0% | → Stable |
| Drug Offenses | 22 | 81 | 3.9% | ↑ Increasing |
| DUI / Traffic | 9 | 33 | 1.6% | → Stable |
| Domestic Violence | 16 | 59 | 2.9% | ↑ Increasing |
*Data from 2022 FBI UCR and Texas DPS Crime Report
Inmate Demographics
| Demographic Category | Breakdown | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | 76% Male, 24% Female | Statewide average used |
| Age Groups | 18–24: 18%, 25–34: 34%, 35–44: 27%, 45+: 21% | Statewide average used |
| Race / Ethnicity | 42% White, 30% Hispanic, 27% Black, 1% Other | Statewide average used |
| Top Offense Types | Property offenses, drug offenses, assault | Statewide average used |
| Avg. Sentence Length | 2.4 years | Statewide average used |
| Recidivism Rate | 21% (within 3 years) | Statewide average used |
How Many Inmates Are Currently in Matagorda County?
Matagorda County currently holds an estimated 110 inmates in local custody across various categories. Sentenced offenders who require longer incarceration may be transferred to a state facility for housing.
| Facility Type | Population | % of Total | Avg. Daily Cost | Capacity Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Jail (Pre-Trial) | 60 | 54.5% | $65 | 80% |
| Sentenced Offenders (short-term) | 18 | 16.4% | $65 | 24% |
| Transferred to State Facility | 22 | 20.0% | N/A | N/A |
| Federal Holds | 4 | 3.6% | $70 | 5% |
| Juvenile / Youth | 6 | 5.5% | $150 | 50% |
| Total | 110 | 100% | — | — |
Matagorda County Facility Directory
Matagorda County operates one main correctional facility: a county jail. There are no youth facilities, work release centers, or specialty jails within the county; additional detainees may be held at a primary regional state facility.
| Facility Name | Type | Location | Capacity | Population | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matagorda County Jail | County Jail | 301 Warren St, Bay City | 142 | ~100 | Medium |
| Garza West Transfer Facility | Regional Facility | 4250 Hwy 202, Beeville | 2,278 | ~2,100 | Mixed |
Matagorda County Prisons and Jails
Useful Links
- Inmate Search
- Visitation Guidelines
- Bail Information
- Prison Policies
- Legal Aid & Rights
- Re-Entry & Community Support
- Family Resources