Middletown Booking Releases
Middletown booking releases track arrests in this Butler County city that sits between Cincinnati and Dayton. Unlike most Ohio cities, Middletown runs its own city jail. That means some booking records are held locally rather than at the county level. This page explains how to search for Middletown booking releases, where the records are kept, and how to get copies of police reports.
Middletown Overview
Middletown Police Department
The Middletown Police Department is at 1 Donham Plaza, Middletown, OH 45042. The main phone number is 513-425-7700. Chief David Birk leads the department, which has 108 officers split into two main divisions: operations and support services.
The operations division handles dispatching, responding to calls, criminal investigations, special operations, K9 patrol, and the special response team. These are the officers making arrests and creating the initial booking records. The support services division manages the corrections unit along with property, evidence, arrest records, and police reports. When you need a copy of a booking record or police report, the support services division is where your request goes.
Record requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax at 513-425-7755. The department also has a records request form you can download from their website. For questions about records, you can also contact the city at 513-425-7831.
Middletown City Jail
Here is what makes Middletown different from most Ohio cities. The Middletown Police Department operates its own full-service jail. Most cities in Ohio send arrested people straight to the county jail, but Middletown keeps some inmates locally. The jail is staffed by a deputy chief and 11 corrections officers, with an average daily population of about 50 inmates.
This setup means some booking records are held at the city level instead of (or in addition to) the county level. If you are looking for someone who was recently arrested in Middletown, the city jail is a good place to start.
To check on an inmate or get mugshot information, call 513-425-7748. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and give you basic booking details. Mugshots for people held at the Middletown City Jail are available by contacting that same number.
Visitation hours at the jail are limited. Sunday visits run from noon to 2pm. Tuesday visits are 9am to 11am. Thursday visits are 6:30pm to 9pm. Each inmate gets one 30-minute visit per week. Check with the jail for the most current schedule before you go.
Butler County Jail and Sheriff
The Butler County Sheriff's Office also has jurisdiction over Middletown. The county jail in Hamilton is where many people end up after arrest, especially for more serious charges or longer holds. The Butler County inmate lookup tool lets you search for anyone held at the county level. This roster updates regularly and shows name, mugshot, charges, and bond amount.
The Butler County Jail is a large facility with three buildings. The main facility holds up to 848 inmates. In total, Butler County books around 14,000 inmates per year. The jail also holds federal inmates under contracts with the US Marshals Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Prisons.
The Butler County Sheriff's Office maintains a most wanted list showing the 15 most dangerous fugitives from the county. The list includes each person's name, mugshot, and the crime they are wanted for. Warrant information is released in person only at the Sheriff's Office, and you will need proper identification.
Public Records Law and Your Rights
Ohio's public records law, ORC 149.43, says public records must be made available for inspection and copying. Booking releases are public records. You do not need to state your name or explain why you want the records.
Under ORC 341.02, the sheriff must keep a jail register listing each prisoner's name, the date and cause of commitment, and the date and manner of discharge. This law covers the Butler County Jail. The Middletown City Jail operates under similar record-keeping rules.
If an agency denies your request, they must put the reason in writing and cite a specific legal basis. You can appeal a denial. Simple requests are usually handled in a few business days. Complex ones can take longer. There is no charge to inspect records in person, but copies may carry a small fee for paper and supplies.
Crime in Middletown
Middletown has a crime rate of 282, which is close to the national average but higher than 82 percent of US cities and towns. Over the last five years, both violent and property crimes have dropped. The annual crime rate fell by 42 percent, which is a significant improvement. Crime rates are still about 25 percent above the Ohio state average. The city has a livability score of 73 out of 100.
These numbers help put booking release volume in context. More arrests mean more booking records to search through. Despite the higher crime rate, the downward trend suggests things are heading in the right direction.
Statewide Search Options
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has an offender search for people in state prison. This covers convicted individuals who have been transferred from county jails to state facilities. It does not show current county or city jail inmates. The search is free and you can look up people by name or offender number.
VINE lets you track offender custody status across Ohio. Sign up for alerts by phone, email, or text. When someone is released, transferred, or escapes, you get notified. VINE covers both the Middletown City Jail and Butler County Jail. The toll-free VINE number is 877-654-8463.
Under ORC 5120.21, the state keeps records on all people in state correctional institutions. Permitted disclosures include the person's name, convictions, photograph, supervision status, and disciplinary history. The ODRC website is the main hub for state-level inmate data.
The Middletown Police Department provides booking release records through the city jail and the department's records division. Contact 513-425-7748 for jail-specific inquiries.
Butler County Booking Releases
Middletown is in Butler County. While the city runs its own jail, many cases also flow through the Butler County Jail in Hamilton. For county-wide jail roster access and additional booking release information, check the county page.
Nearby Cities
Other Ohio cities near Middletown with booking release information.