Access Chemung County Released Inmates
Chemung County released inmates records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Elmira. The county jail at 203 William Street processed 1,954 arrests in 2023 alone, with an average daily population of about 67 inmates. The sheriff's website has an "Incarcerated Individual Information" page where you can check who is currently held. For people who have been released, VINELink provides automated custody alerts, and the DOCCS state database covers anyone who went to a state prison. You can also submit FOIL requests for older records. Elmira has a long history tied to corrections, as the original Elmira Reformatory was one of the first of its kind in the country.
Chemung County Overview
Chemung County Released Inmates and Sheriff's Office
The Chemung County Jail is at 203 William Street in Elmira. The Sheriff's Office runs the facility and handles everything from bookings to releases. The sheriff's main number is (607) 737-2987. The jail line is (607) 737-2934. In 2023, the jail processed 1,954 arrests. The average daily count sits around 67 inmates, which is modest for a county of this size.
The county website at chemungcountyny.gov has an "Incarcerated Individual Information" section. This is where you can look up who is currently in the jail. It is a useful first step when trying to figure out if someone is still held or if they have been released. The page may not show detailed release history, but it confirms current custody. Staff at the jail can answer specific questions if you call.
| Facility | Chemung County Jail |
|---|---|
| Address | 203 William Street Elmira, NY 14901 |
| Jail Phone | (607) 737-2934 |
| Sheriff Phone | (607) 737-2987 |
| 2023 Arrests | 1,954 |
| Website | chemungcountyny.gov - Sheriff |
Searching for Chemung County Released Inmates
The Chemung County Sheriff's website at chemungcountyny.gov offers an incarcerated individual information page. Check there first to see if someone is still in the jail. If they are not listed, they may have been released or transferred. The next step is VINELink at vinelink.com. Pick New York, search by name, and the system shows real time custody status. Data updates every 15 minutes. You can sign up for free alerts. The VINE phone number is 1-888-846-3469.
For state prison records, use the DOCCS Incarcerated Individual Lookup at doccs.ny.gov. This database covers all 44 state correctional facilities and has data going back to the 1970s. Elmira Correctional Facility, a maximum-security state prison, is located right in Chemung County. Anyone who served time there or at any other state facility will show up in this search. The Parolee Lookup tracks released inmates still under parole supervision.
The statewide Criminal History Record Search through the Office of Court Administration costs $95 and covers all 62 counties. Go to ww2.nycourts.gov to submit your request. You need the exact name and date of birth. Sealed records will not appear. The New York State Archives holds historical records from the original Elmira Reformatory going back to 1877.
Visiting Hours at Chemung County Jail
The Chemung County Jail has visiting hours that are split by gender. Male inmates can receive visitors on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and on Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Female inmates have visits on Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and on Sunday from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. The Special Housing Unit (SHU) visits are on Monday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM by appointment only.
You need a valid photo ID to visit. The jail has rules about clothing and personal items. If you go for a visit and the person is no longer in custody, the staff can tell you that they have been released. For advance confirmation, call (607) 737-2934 before you make the trip. It saves time and gas, especially if the person has already been let go or moved to a state facility.
Released Inmates Records and FOIL in Chemung County
New York's Freedom of Information Law, set out in Public Officers Law Article 6, gives you the right to request records from the Chemung County Sheriff's Office. Send your FOIL request in writing to the Records Access Officer at 203 William Street, Elmira, NY 14901. State what records you want and include the person's name and any dates or case numbers you know. The office has five business days to acknowledge your request. Pages cost $0.25 each.
Historical note: The Elmira Reformatory, now Elmira Correctional Facility, opened in 1876 and was the first adult reformatory in the United States. Historical inmate records from this facility are available through the New York State Archives, with records dating back to 1877.
Correction Law Section 9 allows DOCCS to remove certain non-violent offenders from its public databases five years after they finish their term. The Clean Slate Act adds further sealing provisions for older convictions. The Sex Offender Registry covers Level 2 and 3 offenders in Chemung County. The Bureau of Prisons has a federal inmate locator for anyone in the federal system. Between these tools and FOIL, you have several paths to find released inmate records in Chemung County.
Cities in Chemung County
Chemung County includes the city of Elmira, which is the county seat and largest community. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All inmates from Elmira, Horseheads, Big Flats, and other communities in the county are processed through the Chemung County Jail on William Street. Elmira Correctional Facility is a separate state prison run by DOCCS. Released inmates from that state facility show up in the DOCCS lookup, not the county sheriff's system.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Chemung County. Each keeps its own jail and released inmate records.