Search Detroit Jail Mugshots
Detroit jail mugshots come from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, which runs the main jail for the city. The Detroit Police Department books thousands of people each year, and most are held at the Wayne County Jail on Russell Street. You can search for mugshots and booking records through several free tools and by filing public records requests with city and county offices. Detroit is the largest city in Michigan with a population near 620,000, so the volume of arrest records here is the highest in the state.
Detroit Overview
Wayne County Jail and Detroit Bookings
Detroit does not run its own city jail for long-term holds. The city has a temporary holding area at police headquarters, but most people who get arrested in Detroit are moved to the Wayne County Jail. This is the main lock-up for all of Wayne County. The jail sits at 5301 Russell Street in Detroit.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office runs the jail and keeps all booking records. When someone is booked in, staff take a mugshot, record personal details, and log the charges. These records are public under Michigan law. You can look up current inmates through the sheriff's online tool or call the jail directly at (313) 224-0797. The jail processes a high number of bookings each day given that Detroit is the state's biggest city.
| Facility | Wayne County Jail |
|---|---|
| Address | 5301 Russell Street Detroit, MI 48211 |
| Phone | (313) 224-0797 |
| Inmate Search | sheriffconnect.com |
| Sheriff's Office | Wayne County Sheriff's Office |
Arrestees are typically held at the Detroit Police Department for a short time before transport. Processing can take several hours. Once at Wayne County Jail, the person shows up in the inmate search system. Family members and attorneys can use the online lookup to check on someone's status and find out their charges and bond amount.
How to Find Detroit Mugshots Online
There are a few ways to search for jail mugshots tied to Detroit arrests. The fastest method is the online inmate search at sheriffconnect.com. This tool lets you look up current and recent inmates at the Wayne County Jail by name or booking number. Results show the person's photo, charges, bond, and booking date.
You need at least a first and last name to run a search. Having the booking number speeds things up. The system covers people currently in custody. For older records, you may need to file a formal request with the sheriff's office or use the FOIA process.
The Wayne County inmate search at sheriffconnect.com is free to use and does not need an account. Just type in a name and hit search.
Michigan also has statewide tools. The OTIS system from the Michigan Department of Corrections at mdocweb.state.mi.us tracks people who are in state prison, on parole, or on probation. If someone was convicted of a felony in Detroit and sent to state prison, their record and photo will show up in OTIS. For victim notifications, VINELink lets you track an offender's custody status and get alerts when their status changes.
The Detroit Police Department records page also provides information on how to get copies of police reports and arrest records. Some of these records include mugshots.
You can see the Detroit Police Department's main page in the screenshot below. The site provides links to records, FOIA requests, and other police services.
The department handles over 9,500 FOIA requests each year, so expect some wait time during busy periods.
Detroit Police FOIA Requests
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (Act 442 of 1976) gives the public a right to access government records, and that includes arrest reports and mugshots. The Detroit Police Department FOIA page explains how to submit a request.
To file a FOIA request with Detroit Police, you can email the FOIA coordinator at DPDFOIA@detroitmi.gov. You can also send a written request to the City of Detroit Law Department FOIA Division at 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 500, Detroit, MI 48226. The fax number is 313-224-5505. An online form is also available on the city website.
When you submit a request, include as much detail as you can:
- A description of the incident
- Date and time of the incident
- Address or location where it happened
- Names of people involved
- DPD report number if you have it
Standard copies cost $0.10 per page, plus labor for large searches. Certified copies run an extra $10. The city usually responds within 5 business days. Some requests take longer, especially if they involve complex cases like homicides, shootings, or narcotics investigations. Those go through the Law Department instead of the police records unit.
Note: Records tied to open investigations, juvenile cases, and certain medical files are exempt from FOIA under Michigan law. The city can deny or redact parts of a request based on these exemptions.
The FOIA request page for Detroit Police is shown below. It outlines the types of records you can request and how to submit your form.
Detroit Police Department Records
The Detroit Police Department is one of the largest in the Midwest with more than 2,500 officers. It covers 139 square miles. The department has its own records division that handles public requests for police reports, 911 audio, dash cam video, arrest reports, and mugshots.
Records you can request from Detroit Police include 911 audio recordings, 911 CAD reports, police dash cam videos, arrest reports, mug shots, and incident reports. The routine police FOIA page covers standard requests. For non-routine items like fatal accident reports, homicide files, or video and audio beyond 911 and dash cams, requests go through the Law Department.
| Department | Detroit Police Department |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 500 Detroit, MI 48226 |
| FOIA Email | DPDFOIA@detroitmi.gov |
| FOIA Fax | 313-224-5505 |
| Website | detroitmi.gov |
The department keeps records at police headquarters in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building downtown. Hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Walk-in requests are accepted, but filing by email or online is usually faster. For court records related to Detroit cases, you can also check Wayne County court records.
Michigan Statewide Jail and Prison Records
Beyond the local Wayne County and Detroit systems, Michigan runs several statewide databases. These can help if you are not sure where someone is being held or if they have been moved to a state facility.
The OTIS system from the Michigan Department of Corrections tracks everyone under MDOC control. That includes people in state prison, on parole, on probation, and interstate compact cases. OTIS keeps records for three years after someone is discharged. If a person arrested in Detroit ends up in state prison, their photo and case details will be in OTIS.
Michigan VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is another useful tool. Call 800-770-7657 or visit vinelink.com to register for alerts. The system notifies registered users when an offender's custody status changes. This is a free service run statewide.
OTIS covers state-level offenders only. For people held at the county level or awaiting trial, use the Wayne County inmate search instead.
Wayne County Jail Mugshots
Detroit is in Wayne County, and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office operates the main jail used for Detroit arrests. The county handles booking, housing, and records for inmates from Detroit and all other cities in the county. For full details on the Wayne County jail system, inmate search options, and records requests, visit the Wayne County page.
Nearby City Jail Mugshots
Several other cities near Detroit also have their own police departments and booking records. Here are some nearby cities you can search: