Chaves County Public Records /Chaves County Inmate Search

Chaves County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Chaves County?

Inmate records are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. In Chaves County, these records are generated and managed by the Chaves County Detention Center and the Chaves County Sheriff's Office. They serve as the authoritative source of information regarding an individual's custody status, charges, and incarceration history within the county's correctional system.

It is important to distinguish inmate records from court records. Court records are maintained by the Fifth Judicial District Court and document the legal proceedings of a criminal case, including filings, motions, hearings, and judgments. Inmate records, by contrast, are custody-focused documents maintained by the detention facility itself. These records begin at the point of booking or intake, when an individual is first processed into the facility. They are continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in custody status, housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and program participation. Upon release, the record is closed and archived.

Under New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 14-2-1, all public records maintained by government agencies — including correctional facilities — are subject to inspection by members of the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Chaves County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of local inmate records.

Chaves County Sheriff's Office 1 St. Mary's Place, Roswell, NM 88203 (575) 624-6700 Chaves County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Chaves County?

Inmate records in Chaves County are generally considered public records under New Mexico law. Pursuant to NMSA § 14-2-1, every person has the right to inspect public records of the state and its political subdivisions, including county detention facilities, unless those records fall within a specific statutory exemption. The New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) governs access to these documents and requires custodians to respond to requests within fifteen business days.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Chaves County Detention Center
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and circumstances of intake
Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the individual's detention
Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
Bond and bail amounts — financial conditions of release set by the court
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is held

Certain records may be withheld if their disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a person's safety, or violate a court-issued protective order. Juvenile records are generally exempt from public disclosure under New Mexico law.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Chaves County

Inmate records maintained by the Chaves County Detention Center contain a comprehensive set of data fields compiled from the point of booking through release. The following categories represent the standard components of a complete inmate record:

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age
Gender, race, and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency and arresting officer
Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
Housing unit and cell assignment

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges (felony or misdemeanor)
Statute violated
Charge severity and classification

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Case number and assigned court
Next scheduled court date
Presiding judge

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length and start date
Credit for time served
Projected release date based on sentence

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release or supervision requirements

Chaves County Prison System

Chaves County operates a local detention facility designed to house individuals awaiting trial, those serving short-term sentences, and individuals held on immigration or other detainers. The county jail system is distinct from the New Mexico state prison system. County jails typically house individuals serving sentences of one year or less, as well as pre-trial detainees who have not yet been convicted of a crime. Individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year are generally transferred to a facility operated by the New Mexico Corrections Department.

The Chaves County Sheriff's Office administers the county's detention operations and is responsible for the intake, housing, and release of all county-level inmates. The Sheriff's Office also coordinates with state and federal agencies for transfers and detainers.

Chaves County Detention Center 1 St. Mary's Place, Roswell, NM 88203 (575) 624-6770 Chaves County Sheriff's Office

Types of Correctional Facilities In Chaves County

Chaves County's correctional infrastructure currently consists of the following facility:

Chaves County Detention Center The Chaves County Detention Center is the primary local correctional facility serving Roswell and the surrounding region. It operates under the authority of the Chaves County Sheriff's Office and houses pre-trial detainees, sentenced misdemeanants, and individuals awaiting transfer to state or federal custody. The facility provides classification, medical screening, and programming services to its inmate population.

1 St. Mary's Place, Roswell, NM 88203 (575) 624-6770 Chaves County Sheriff's Office

Individuals convicted of state felonies and sentenced to terms exceeding one year are housed in facilities operated by the New Mexico Corrections Department, which maintains jurisdiction over the state prison system. The New Mexico Corrections Department offender search tool allows members of the public to locate individuals held in state custody.

Who's in Prison In Chaves County

The Chaves County Detention Center houses several distinct categories of individuals at any given time. Members of the public seeking to understand who may be incarcerated locally should be aware of the following classifications:

Pre-trial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they were unable to post bail or were denied bond
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of one year or less
Probation and parole violators — individuals who have allegedly violated the terms of their supervision and are awaiting a hearing
Federal and immigration detainees — individuals held on behalf of federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), under intergovernmental agreements
State transfer holds — individuals awaiting transfer to a New Mexico Corrections Department facility following a felony conviction

Individuals serving felony sentences of more than one year are not housed at the county level and must be located through the New Mexico Corrections Department.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Chaves County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Chaves County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Online Inmate Roster — Members of the public should first check the Chaves County Sheriff's Office website for any available online inmate search tool or current roster. This is the fastest method for locating individuals currently in custody.
In-Person Request — Individuals may visit the Chaves County Detention Center in person during business hours to request inmate information. Staff at the public counter can confirm custody status and provide basic booking information.
Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Chaves County Detention Center at (575) 624-6770 to inquire about an individual's custody status.
Formal Public Records Request — Pursuant to NMSA § 14-2-8, members of the public may submit a written Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) request to the Chaves County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the individual by full name and date of birth and specify the records sought. The custodian is required to respond within fifteen business days.
State-Level Search — For individuals who may have been transferred to state custody, the New Mexico Corrections Department offender search provides a searchable database of state inmates.

Chaves County Sheriff's Office — Records Division 1 St. Mary's Place, Roswell, NM 88203 (575) 624-6700 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Chaves County Sheriff's Office

How To Find an Inmate in Chaves County for Free?

Locating an inmate in Chaves County at no cost is possible through the following official resources:

Chaves County Sheriff's Office — Members of the public may call or visit the detention center directly to confirm whether an individual is currently in custody. No fee is charged for a basic custody status inquiry.
Telephone Inquiry — Calling (575) 624-6770 allows members of the public to ask staff whether a named individual is currently booked into the facility.
New Mexico Corrections Department Offender Search — For individuals who may be held in state prison, the New Mexico Corrections Department offender search is a free, publicly accessible tool. Users must provide the individual's first and/or last name or their NMCD number to initiate a search.
Fifth Judicial District Court — Court records may provide information about an individual's case status and associated detention. The court is located at 400 N. Virginia Ave., Roswell, NM 88201, and can be reached at (575) 622-2212.

How To Visit an Inmate In Chaves County

Members of the public wishing to visit an inmate at the Chaves County Detention Center must comply with the facility's visitation policies and procedures. All visits are subject to the rules established by the Chaves County Sheriff's Office.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list. Visitors are required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Visits may be denied if the visitor is not on the approved list or if the inmate is on a visitation restriction.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Chaves County Detention Center and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (575) 624-6770 to confirm current visiting hours before arriving.

What to Bring

Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring

Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices
Food, beverages, or outside items of any kind
Weapons or contraband of any description

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays offensive imagery may result in denial of entry.

Visit Types The Chaves County Detention Center may offer in-person contact or non-contact visits, as well as video visitation options depending on the inmate's classification and housing assignment.

Visit Restrictions Visits may be suspended or restricted as a result of inmate disciplinary actions, facility lockdowns, or court orders. Individuals on probation or parole may be subject to additional restrictions. Visitors who violate facility rules may be permanently removed from an inmate's approved visitor list.

How To Send Money to a Chaves County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account at the Chaves County Detention Center through approved methods. These funds allow inmates to purchase items from the facility commissary, including hygiene products, snacks, and writing materials.

Approved Methods:

Lobby kiosk — A kiosk located at the detention facility may accept cash or card deposits directly to an inmate's account
Online deposit — Deposits may be made through an approved third-party service provider authorized by the facility; members of the public should contact the detention center to confirm the current provider
Money order — Money orders made payable to the inmate may be accepted by mail or in person, subject to facility policy

Amount Limits: Deposit limits per transaction or per week may apply. Members of the public should contact the Chaves County Detention Center at (575) 624-6770 to confirm current limits.

Fees: Third-party deposit services typically charge a transaction fee. The facility itself does not set these fees; they are determined by the service provider.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent through the mail is not accepted
Personal checks are generally not accepted
Funds from anonymous or unverified sources may be rejected

Use of Funds: Inmate trust account funds may be used for commissary purchases, postage, and approved personal items. Funds may not be used to pay fines, restitution, or court costs directly through the trust account unless specifically authorized by the court.

How To Send Jail Mail In Chaves County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to inmates housed at the Chaves County Detention Center by following the facility's established mail policies.

Mailing Address: All inmate mail should be addressed as follows: Inmate Full Name, Booking Number Chaves County Detention Center 1 St. Mary's Place, Roswell, NM 88203

Rules for Sending Mail:

All incoming mail is subject to inspection by detention center staff for contraband and security purposes
Letters must be written on plain white paper and sent in standard white envelopes
Postcards are generally accepted; padded envelopes or packages are typically not permitted
Mail must include the sender's full name and return address on the envelope
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; they must be standard-size prints and must not depict nudity, weapons, or gang-related imagery
Stickers, glitter, markers on envelopes, or any embellishments are generally prohibited
Legal mail from attorneys is treated separately and may be opened only in the inmate's presence, consistent with constitutional protections

Prohibited Items in Mail:

Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in envelopes
Controlled substances or any form of contraband
Items that have been treated with any substance

Mail that does not comply with facility rules will be returned to the sender or destroyed, and the inmate may be subject to disciplinary action. Members of the public should contact the Chaves County Detention Center at (575) 624-6770 to confirm current mail policies before sending correspondence.