Berkeley County Public Records /Berkeley County Inmate Search

Berkeley County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Berkeley County?

Inmate records in Berkeley County, West Virginia, are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document the custody status, personal history, and legal circumstances of individuals held in detention. These records are distinct from court records: while the West Virginia judiciary maintains case files, dockets, and judicial orders, correctional facilities and the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office maintain custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.

The record creation process begins at intake, when a detained individual is formally booked into a facility. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and photograph the individual. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived. Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 29B-1-2, public records include any document, paper, or other material prepared or received by a public body in connection with the transaction of public business, which encompasses inmate custody records held by county correctional authorities.

Berkeley County Sheriff's Office 400 W. Stephen Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401 (304) 267-6911 Berkeley County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Berkeley County?

Inmate records maintained by Berkeley County correctional authorities are generally accessible to the public under West Virginia's open records framework. The West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 29B-1-1 et seq.) establishes that all public records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Corrections-specific provisions further govern what information may be disclosed from custody files.

Under current law, the following categories of inmate information are typically accessible to members of the public:

Current inmate roster — names of individuals presently held in county facilities
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
Charges filed — criminal charges for which the individual is being held
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
Housing facility — the specific facility where the individual is currently detained

Certain information within an inmate's file may be withheld where disclosure would endanger facility security, compromise an ongoing investigation, or violate medical privacy protections under applicable federal and state law.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Berkeley County

Inmate records maintained by Berkeley County correctional facilities contain multiple categories of documentation compiled from the point of arrest through final release.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Race, sex, height, weight, and eye color
Identifying marks, scars, or tattoos
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (where applicable)

Custody Information:

Date and time of booking
Arresting agency and arresting officer
Facility currently housing the individual
Housing unit or cell assignment
Custody classification level

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges (felony or misdemeanor)
Statute(s) alleged to have been violated
Offense date and jurisdiction

Bond/Bail Information:

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

Court Information:

Case number(s) associated with pending charges
Scheduled court appearance dates
Presiding court and judge assignment
Attorney of record (if available)

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length and type
Sentence start date
Credit for time served
Parole or probation eligibility date

Release Information:

Actual or projected release date
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release, if any

Berkeley County Prison System

Berkeley County operates a local correctional system designed to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving shorter sentences. The county jail functions as the primary pre-trial detention facility for individuals arrested within Berkeley County and is administered under the authority of the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. Under West Virginia law, county jails typically house individuals serving sentences of up to one year, as well as pre-trial detainees who have not been released on bond. Individuals convicted of felonies carrying sentences exceeding one year are generally transferred to state correctional facilities operated by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The distinction between a county jail and a state prison is significant for records access purposes: county jail records are maintained locally by the Sheriff's Office or the regional jail authority, while state prison records are held by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation at the state level.

Berkeley County Sheriff's Office 400 W. Stephen Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401 (304) 267-6911 Berkeley County Sheriff's Office

West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation 1409 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311 (304) 558-2036 West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Types of Correctional Facilities In Berkeley County

Berkeley County is served by a regional correctional facility that handles both pre-trial detention and sentenced populations from the Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia.

Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility The Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility is the primary detention facility serving Berkeley County and surrounding counties in the Eastern Panhandle. It is operated by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation and houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving misdemeanor sentences, and individuals awaiting transfer to state prison facilities.

Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility 94 Grapevine Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405 (304) 267-0005 Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility

Public counter hours and visitation scheduling are managed directly by facility administration. Members of the public seeking facility-specific information are directed to contact the facility by telephone during normal business hours.

Who's in Prison In Berkeley County

The Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility in Martinsburg houses several distinct populations at any given time. Pre-trial detainees represent the largest group — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted or released on bond. This population includes persons charged with both misdemeanor and felony offenses who are awaiting arraignment, preliminary hearings, or trial.

Additional populations housed at the facility include:

Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of one year or less
Parole and probation violators — individuals detained pending revocation hearings
Federal detainees — individuals held on behalf of federal agencies under intergovernmental agreements
Civil commitments — individuals held pursuant to court orders unrelated to criminal conviction
Transfer holds — individuals awaiting transport to state or federal correctional facilities

Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to more than one year are transferred to state facilities operated by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Members of the public may use the Division's West Virginia inmate search tool to locate individuals held in state custody.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Berkeley County in 2026

Members of the public seeking inmate records in Berkeley County may use several official channels to obtain current custody information and historical records.

Step 1 — Use the Online Inmate Search Tool The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains a statewide offender search database that allows members of the public to search for individuals held in state and regional facilities by name or identification number. This tool is available at no cost and does not require registration.

Step 2 — Contact the Eastern Regional Jail Directly For individuals believed to be held at the Eastern Regional Jail, members of the public may call the facility at (304) 267-0005 during business hours to confirm custody status and obtain basic booking information.

Step 3 — Submit a FOIA Request Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 29B-1-3, any person may submit a written public records request to the custodian of the records sought. Requests directed to the Eastern Regional Jail or the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office should be submitted in writing, identifying the records sought with reasonable specificity. The custodian is required to respond within five business days.

Step 4 — Search Court Records Because inmate records and court records are maintained separately, members of the public seeking case-level information may access the West Virginia Judiciary's court record access portal, which provides searchable circuit and magistrate court records from all fifty-five counties statewide.

Step 5 — Visit the Facility or Sheriff's Office in Person Members of the public may appear in person at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office at 400 W. Stephen Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to request available public records.

How To Find an Inmate in Berkeley County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in Berkeley County.

West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Offender Search — The Division's statewide offender search is free to use and covers individuals held in regional jails and state prisons. Users may search by first name, last name, or offender identification number.
West Virginia Judiciary Court Record Access — The court record access portal provides free access to circuit and magistrate court case information, which may include custody-related entries and hearing schedules.
Direct Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Eastern Regional Jail at (304) 267-0005 to request verbal confirmation of an individual's custody status at no charge.
Berkeley County Sheriff's Office — The Sheriff's Office at (304) 267-6911 may confirm whether an individual was booked into county custody and provide referral information for current housing location.

How To Visit an Inmate In Berkeley County

Visitation at the Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility is governed by facility rules established by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. All visitors must comply with applicable regulations prior to and during any visit.

Visit Rules and Procedures All prospective visitors must be pre-approved by the facility before a visit may occur. Visitors are required to submit a visitation application, which is subject to a background review. Approval is at the discretion of facility administration.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Eastern Regional Jail administration and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (304) 267-0005 to confirm current visitation days and times before traveling to the facility.

What to Bring

Government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Approved visitation confirmation, if required by the facility

What NOT to Bring

Weapons of any kind
Controlled substances or alcohol
Cell phones or electronic recording devices (unless specifically authorized)
Unauthorized food, beverages, or packages

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays gang-affiliated symbols or insignia is prohibited. Facility staff retain the authority to deny entry to any visitor whose attire is deemed inappropriate.

Visit Types The Eastern Regional Jail currently offers in-person contact visits and video visitation options. Video visitation may be scheduled remotely through the facility's designated service provider.

Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, pending disciplinary proceedings, or for security-related reasons. Minors must be accompanied by an approved adult guardian. Individuals on probation or parole may be subject to additional restrictions.

How To Send Money to a Berkeley County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account at the Eastern Regional Jail through approved channels administered by the facility and its contracted service provider.

Approved Methods:

Online deposits — Funds may be submitted electronically through the facility's designated commissary or payment service provider. Members of the public should contact the Eastern Regional Jail at (304) 267-0005 to confirm the current approved provider.
Kiosk deposits — Lobby kiosks at the facility may accept cash or card deposits directly to an inmate's account.
Money order by mail — Money orders made payable to the inmate (including full legal name and booking number) may be mailed to the facility at 94 Grapevine Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405.

Amount Limits and Fees: Transaction limits and associated service fees vary by payment method and are set by the facility's contracted provider. Fees are typically borne by the sender. Members of the public should verify current limits and fee schedules directly with the facility or the service provider prior to submitting funds.

What You Cannot Send:

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

Use of Funds: Deposited funds are credited to the inmate's commissary account and may be used to purchase approved items such as hygiene products, snack foods, writing materials, and telephone time. Funds may not be used to purchase contraband, make unauthorized transfers, or pay for items outside the approved commissary list.

How To Send Jail Mail In Berkeley County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Eastern Regional Jail by sending written mail to the facility's mailing address.

Mailing Address: Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Inmate Full Legal Name and Booking Number 94 Grapevine Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405

Rules for Sending Mail:

All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff for contraband and security purposes
Letters must be written on plain white paper and sent in standard white envelopes
The sender's full name and return address must appear on the outside of the envelope; anonymous mail will not be delivered
Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines; members of the public should confirm current photo policies with the facility directly
Hardcover books, magazines, and publications must be sent directly from the publisher or an approved retailer; items sent from personal addresses may be rejected
Stickers, glitter, perfume, lipstick, or any substance applied to the envelope or paper is prohibited
Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and is subject to specific procedures to protect attorney-client privilege

Mail that violates facility rules will be returned to the sender or destroyed, and repeated violations may result in restrictions on correspondence privileges for the inmate.

Lookup Inmate Records in Berkeley County

West Virginia inmate and offender search — West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
West Virginia court record access portal — West Virginia Judiciary, circuit and magistrate court records statewide
Eastern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility — facility information, location, and contact details for Berkeley County's primary detention center