Hampden County Released Inmates
Released inmate records in Hampden County are kept by the Hampden County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff runs the main jail in Ludlow plus a women's facility in Chicopee and a pre-release site in Springfield. If you need to look up someone who got out of a Hampden County jail, there are a few ways to search. You can use VINELink for basic lookup or file a written public records request with the Records Access Officer. The sheriff's office keeps inmate files for seven years after a person is released. This page covers how to find released inmate records in Hampden County, what the records show, and where to go for help.
Hampden County Overview
Hampden County Sheriff's Department
The Hampden County Sheriff's Department holds and releases inmates for the county. Sheriff Nick Cocchi has led the department since 2017. He brought in programs that gave Hampden County one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country. The main facility is the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow. That is where most inmates do their time before release. When someone gets out, their release info stays on file at the sheriff's office.
All released inmate records from Hampden County go through this office. The staff can tell you if a person was held there, when they got out, and what the charges were. You can reach the 24-hour info line at (413) 858-0000 for basic questions about current or past inmates. For full records, you need to submit a written request to the Records Access Officer.
The Hampden County Sheriff's Department website has details on all four facilities and the programs they run. It is a good first stop if you want to learn how the department handles released inmate records in Hampden County.
The department runs four sites. Each one plays a part in how inmates move through the system and get released back into Hampden County.
| Main Facility | Hampden County Correctional Center 627 Randall Rd, Ludlow, MA 01056 |
|---|---|
| Women's Facility | Western MA Women's Correctional Center 701 Center St, Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 730-8800 |
| Pre-Release | Pre-Release Center 95 Liberty St, Springfield, MA (413) 781-2050 |
| Recovery Center | Recovery and Wellness Center 155 Mill St, Springfield, MA (413) 733-1431 |
| 24-Hour Info | (413) 858-0000 |
| Main Phone | (413) 547-8000 |
How to Get Hampden County Released Inmate Records
Public records requests in Hampden County go through the Records Access Officer. The RAO for the sheriff's department is Theresa S. Finnegan, who serves as Assistant Superintendent and General Counsel. She handles all written requests for released inmate records. One key rule: the RAO does not take requests by phone or voicemail. You must put your request in writing.
Massachusetts public records law under M.G.L. c. 66 §10 gives you the right to ask for these records. The law says any person can request public records from a state or local agency. The sheriff's department must respond within 10 business days of getting your written request. They can ask for more time if the request is large, but they need to tell you why.
To reach the RAO for Hampden County released inmate records:
- Name: Theresa S. Finnegan, Assistant Superintendent/General Counsel
- Email: theresa.finnegan@SDH.state.ma.us
- Phone: (413) 858-0164 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM to 3 PM)
- Fax: (413) 589-1851
The Hampden County RAO page has more details on how to format your request. Include the full name of the inmate, any dates you know, and what records you need. Be as specific as you can. Broad requests take longer to fill and may cost more.
Under M.G.L. c. 66 §6A, each agency must name a Records Access Officer. That person is the point of contact for all public records requests. In Hampden County, Finnegan fills this role for the sheriff's office. If you have questions about the process but are not filing a formal request, you can also reach Public Information Officer Robert Rizzuto at robert.rizzuto@SDH.state.ma.us or (413) 858-0022.
Note: The Hampden County Sheriff's Department keeps inmate files for seven years after release, so older records may not be on file.
Hampden County Inmate Search Tools
VINELink is a free tool that lets you search for inmates in Hampden County. It works for current and recently released inmates. You can search by name, booking number, ID, or date of birth. The system shows basic info about the person, such as their name, physical traits, mugshot, booking details, charges, bond amount, court date, housing unit, and release date if they are out.
This is the fastest way to check if someone got released from a Hampden County facility. You do not need to file any paperwork. Just go to the VINELink site and type in the name. The data comes straight from the jail's booking system. Keep in mind that VINELink may not have records for people who got out a long time ago. For older released inmate records in Hampden County, you still need to file a written request with the RAO.
The Mass.gov page for Hampden County Jail also has useful info. It lists the facility address, phone numbers, and links to visiting rules. This state-run page is a good backup if the sheriff's website is down or hard to find.
What released inmate records in Hampden County typically show:
- Full name and physical description
- Mugshot if on file
- Booking date and charges
- Bond amount and court dates
- Housing unit and release date
Some details may be redacted under M.G.L. c. 4 §7(26), which lists exemptions to the public records law. Medical info, certain personal data, and records that could risk safety are commonly held back. The sheriff's office decides what falls under these exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
Hampden County Reentry Programs
Hampden County stands out for its reentry work. The sheriff's department runs the All Inclusive Support Services program, known as AISS. This is a drop-in center for people who were released from Hampden County jails. They help with housing, job skills, IDs, and other things people need when they get out. AISS has two sites in the county.
The Springfield office is at 736 State St. The Holyoke office is at 310 Appleton St, Suite 200. Both are open for drop-ins from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, Monday through Friday. You do not need to call ahead. Just walk in. The AISS program page has more on what they offer. Staff can also help you understand your released inmate records if you need them for court or other purposes.
The Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee opened in September 2007. It houses women from Hampden County and several other counties in western Massachusetts. When women are released from this facility, their records are part of the Hampden County system. The same RAO and records request process applies. Call the WCC at (413) 730-8800 if you have questions about a released inmate from that site.
The Pre-Release Center on Liberty St in Springfield gives inmates a step down before full release. People housed there are close to their release date and may be working in the community. The Recovery and Wellness Center on Mill St handles Section 35 involuntary commitments. Records from all four Hampden County facilities go through the same sheriff's department records system.
Cities in Hampden County
Hampden County has several cities and towns. The two largest cities with their own pages are listed below. All inmates from these cities go through the Hampden County Sheriff's Department.
Other communities in Hampden County include Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, Agawam, and Ludlow. Released inmates from all of these towns are processed through the same Hampden County sheriff's system.
Nearby Counties
These counties sit next to Hampden County. If you are not sure which county handled an inmate, check the booking facility. Each county has its own sheriff and its own released inmate records.