St. Lawrence County Inmate Population Search

St. Lawrence County inmate population records are kept by the Sheriff's Office, which runs the correctional facility in Canton. St. Lawrence is the largest county in New York State by land area, covering over 2,800 square miles along the Canadian border. People arrested in Canton, Ogdensburg, Massena, Potsdam, and surrounding towns are processed through this facility. Sheriff Rick Engle heads the office. You can check on inmates through the sheriff, the VINE notification system, or the state DOCCS lookup for people serving time in state prison. Bail can be posted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility and Inmate Population

The St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility is located at 17 Commerce Lane, Canton, New York 13617. Phone: (315) 379-2367. Jail Administrator Peggy Harper oversees daily operations, with Assistant Jail Administrator Timothy Amo II. The facility holds pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates serving one year or less. Medical, mental health, and educational services are available to people in custody.

Bail can be posted at any time. Cash, credit card, and bail bonds are all accepted. The credit card bail system lets people post bail without needing to come in with cash. The VINE notification system is also available for crime victims who want to track a prisoner's release status. The VINE toll-free number is 1-888-846-3469. You can call to check on an inmate or register for release alerts.

The facility must meet minimum standards set by the NYS Commission of Correction under Correction Law Article 3. The Commission checks jails for compliance with rules on housing, staffing, health care, and inmate programs. Because St. Lawrence County covers such a large area, people arrested in far-flung towns may have a long trip to the jail in Canton.

Inmate Services and Communication

The inmate information page covers how to communicate with people in custody. Telephone service is provided by GTL. To set up an account to receive calls, contact GTL at 1-866-230-7761. Phone privileges may be taken away for disciplinary reasons. Inmates can receive mail at the facility, but all incoming mail is inspected for contraband. Privileged mail from attorneys and courts gets inspected in the presence of the inmate.

Packages must be ordered from reputable stores and mailed directly to the facility. No personal package drop-off is allowed. Authorized items include undergarments (underwear, boxers, white socks, plain white t-shirts), printed materials like paperback books, magazines, and newspapers, and religious articles. The rules are strict about what can come in to prevent contraband from entering the facility.

The screenshot below shows the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility page with contact and location details.

The jail in Canton serves the entire county, which spans over 2,800 square miles.

How to Search St. Lawrence County Inmate Population Records

Contact the sheriff's office at (315) 379-2367 to check if someone is in custody. Staff can confirm whether a person is being held at the jail. You will need the person's full name. A date of birth helps narrow results. The sheriff can also provide information about charges and bail amounts.

VINELink covers St. Lawrence County. Search by name to check custody status. You can register for alerts that notify you when an inmate is released, moved, or escapes. Notifications come by phone, email, or text. The service is free and runs around the clock.

For state prisoners, the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup covers anyone currently or formerly held in a New York State correctional facility. Search by name and birth year, or by DIN. People whose convictions were sealed under CPL §160.50 do not show up. The system is available 24 hours a day with a short break near midnight.

FOIL and Records Access in St. Lawrence County

Inmate records are partially accessible under the Freedom of Information Law. Public access covers the current inmate roster, basic identifying information, booking date and time, charges filed, bond and bail amounts, and expected release dates. Medical and mental health information is protected under HIPAA. Social Security numbers are withheld. Detailed disciplinary records are also confidential.

FOIL requests go to the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office at 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617. The county must respond within five business days. Copy fees are 25 cents per page. If your request is denied, you can appeal in writing. The St. Lawrence County Clerk maintains court and land records separately.

The screenshot below shows information about FOIL requests and records access for St. Lawrence County inmates.

Some records are public by default, while others need a formal FOIL request. Medical records are always restricted.

Under Correction Law §9, DOCCS removes certain non-violent offender data from public websites three years after the person finishes their sentence and supervision. The OCA Criminal History Record Search covers all 62 counties at $95 per search.

State Resources for St. Lawrence County Inmate Population

The NYS Commission of Correction publishes quarterly inmate population statistics covering St. Lawrence County. Monthly reports track average daily census figures. The Commission investigates deaths in custody and reviews complaints. The Committee on Open Government assists with FOIL issues. Phone: 518-474-2518. Email: foil@dos.ny.gov.

Communities in St. Lawrence County

St. Lawrence County includes the cities of Ogdensburg, and the villages of Canton, Massena, and Potsdam. People arrested anywhere in the county go to the correctional facility in Canton. No communities in this county have separate city pages on this site, but all are served by the sheriff's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border St. Lawrence County. The county also shares a border with Canada to the north.