Cameron County Jail Inmate Search | Current Custody

by
Cameron County, Texas · Current jail roster, booking numbers, SO numbers and custody checks

Confirm a Cameron County Booking Before You Call, Visit or Send Money

The official Cameron County inmate roster is a good first check when someone may have been booked recently. It shows the person’s name, booking date, booking number, SO number, charges and a booking photograph when available, and Cameron County says the list refreshes every two hours.

There is an important catch: the county says this roster is not a complete list of everyone being held, and federal prisoners or detainees are specifically excluded. A roster match also does not give you a simple live “still in custody” field or tell you which jail to drive to. This guide shows how to close those gaps without guessing.

Open the official inmate roster Confirm current custody Search the related court case
Booked name Booking date Booking number SO number Every charge
CAMERON CUSTODY SIGNAL VERIFYING LOCATION
ROSTER
REFRESHES
EVERY 2 HOURS
BROWNSVILLE
954 E HARRISON
CALL TO CONFIRM
OLMITO
CARRIZALES
CALL TO CONFIRM
COURT PORTAL
SO NUMBER +
BOOKING NUMBER
BOOKING #
+ SO # SAVE BOTH
ROSTER → FACILITY → COURT
A name on the roster does not automatically mean the person is still physically in the jail. Cameron County describes the page as a roster of certain people currently or within the previous seven days housed at county jails. It specifically says the list is not comprehensive and excludes federal prisoners and detainees.
Roster refresh

Cameron County says the list updates every two hours.

Useful identifiers

Save both BookingNumber and SONumber.

Brownsville jail

954 E Harrison St · 956-544-0865.

Carrizales

7300 Old Alice Rd · 956-554-6701.

Official review

County procedures checked August 16, 2026.

Start with the question you actually have

What are you trying to find out?

ARRESTED RECENTLY Was the person booked into Cameron County?

Open the county roster and compare the defendant name and booking date. Save the BookingNumber and SONumber before leaving the page.

Follow the roster workflow
STILL THERE? Is the person in custody right now?

The roster itself does not provide a simple current-facility field. Call the jail after finding the booking.

Confirm custody
NO RESULT Could the person be somewhere else?

Check spelling, processing delays, another jurisdiction, TDCJ, federal prison or ICE custody before assuming there was no detention.

Troubleshoot a missing name
BOND / RELEASE What has to happen before release?

Use the court portal and facility phone rather than trying to infer a bond from the roster’s charge column.

Check bond and release
FAMILY HELP How can I visit, call or send money?

Confirm the housing location first. Visitation, mail, medical and property rules can depend on where the person is housed.

Go to family-help steps
COURT CASE What happened after the booking?

Cameron County’s Smart Search can filter by SO Number and Booking Number as well as the person’s name.

Match the booking to court

Jump directly to the task

Use the first few sections when the arrest is new. The later sections cover visits, money, communication, bond, lawyers and transfers.

Before relying on a match

Separate “found on the roster” from “confirmed in custody”

What a roster hit tells you
  • The person appears in the county’s published inmate data.
  • You have a booking date to compare with the known arrest.
  • You can save a BookingNumber.
  • You can save an SONumber.
  • You can review the displayed charge information.
What it does not settle
  • Which Cameron County facility currently houses the person.
  • Whether release paperwork has already started.
  • Whether there is a separate warrant or hold.
  • The final charge filed by a prosecutor.
  • The final outcome of the criminal case.
  • Federal or immigration custody.
Do not label the roster as a live “current inmates only” database. Cameron County itself says the page can contain qualifying people currently and within the previous seven days housed in the county jails.
Current custody confirmation

Use this sequence when you need to know where the person is now

Find the roster entry Write down the defendant name exactly as shown, BookingNumber, SONumber, BookingDt and every displayed charge.
Check when the roster was refreshed The county page says the list updates every two hours. A release or transfer can occur between data refreshes.
Call Cameron County Jail when Brownsville custody is possible Use 956-544-0865.
Call Carrizales when Olmito custody is possible Use 956-554-6701.
Give staff the identifiers instead of retelling the whole situation Start with the booked name, BookingNumber and SONumber. Ask only for information staff are permitted to release.
Ask one clear question Confirm whether the person is currently housed there, being processed, released or transferred and what facility should be used for visitation or other services.
Recheck the court case if custody has ended Release from jail does not mean the criminal case is over.
Short call script
I am trying to confirm the current location of [booked name]. The Cameron County roster shows Booking Number [number], SO Number [number], with a booking date of [date]. Can you tell me whether this person is currently housed at this facility, has been released or was transferred, and which facility I should contact for current inmate services?
Cameron County Jail 954 E Harrison St

Brownsville, TX 78520

Call 956-544-0865
Carrizales Detention Center 7300 Old Alice Road

Olmito, TX 78575

Call 956-554-6701
No inmate result

If the person is missing from the Cameron County list, use the reason that fits

The arrest just happened Booking and data entry may not yet be reflected in the public list. Call the appropriate jail when immediate confirmation is necessary.
The spelling may be different Compare aliases, compound surnames, maiden names and the exact name used during booking.
The person may already have left county custody Search the Cameron County court portal and check state or federal custody when a transfer is possible.
The arrest occurred in another county Search the county where the person was actually booked rather than only where the person lives.
The case may be federal Cameron County expressly excludes federal prisoners and detainees from this roster.
Immigration custody may be involved Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator rather than expecting an ICE detainee to appear in the county list.
The person may be in TDCJ Search the Texas state-prison locator after a transfer to state custody.
The record may not be publicly available Juvenile or otherwise restricted information may not appear on a normal public jail roster.
Check ICE detainee locator Check federal BOP custody Check Texas prison custody
ICE search tip for Cameron County families: ICE recommends searching by A-Number when known. The A-Number must be entered as nine digits and requires the correct country of birth. A biographical search requires an exact first and last name plus country of birth.
Where to call before driving

The two jail contacts currently published by Cameron County

Cameron County Jail
954 E Harrison Street
Brownsville, TX 78520

Phone: 956-544-0865

Use this number to confirm current inmate location and current facility procedures before travelling.

Carrizales Detention Center
7300 Old Alice Road
Olmito, TX 78575

Phone: 956-554-6701

This is the address and telephone number on Cameron County’s live Jail Division contact page.

Address discrepancy worth knowing before you mail or drive: Cameron County’s live Jail Division page currently lists Carrizales Detention Center at 7300 Old Alice Road. The older visitation operational plan still linked from that page lists inmate mail for the Carrizales-Rucker facility at 7100 Old Alice Road. Because the linked PDF dates from 2021, confirm the correct current mailing destination with the jail before sending personal mail.
Parking: the official Jail Division material reviewed for this update does not publish a dependable visitor-parking or visitor-entrance instruction. Rather than inventing one, call the facility before driving if you need accessible parking, the correct visitor entrance or building-specific arrival instructions.
Visiting someone in county custody

Confirm the schedule first, then prepare for the visitor rules

Cameron County’s live Jail Division page currently requires a valid photo ID for adult visitors. It gives examples including a Texas driver license, Texas DPS identification, passport, military ID, U.S. immigration visa or border-crossing card, and Matricula Consular.
Confirm the person’s facility Do not use an old address or assume that the roster tells you where the person is housed.
Confirm that you are on the authorised visitor list The county-linked visitation plan says the inmate completes an authorisation card and may list up to five adults.
Do not plan a mid-month substitution The linked plan says inmates may change the adult visitor list at the end of each month, with no substitutions during the month.
Call for the current day and time The operational plan itself states that visitation days and times are determined by the Sheriff and are subject to change.
Bring an accepted original photo ID Have the identification ready before entering the visitor area.
Leave electronic devices outside the visitation room The county-linked rules prohibit cell phones, cameras and recording devices in the visitation room.
Dress conservatively The linked plan prohibits shorts, skirts, miniskirts, halter tops, transparent or provocative clothing and handbags.

Other rules still contained in the county-linked visitation plan

Minimum of two 20-minute visits per week
At least one visitation period during an evening or weekend
Visitors under 18 must remain with an appropriately identified adult
No contact visitation
Nothing may be handed directly to the inmate
Recent incarceration within the previous six months may prevent a visitor from being admitted
Guardians should bring legal guardianship documentation
Attorney and clergy visits follow separate rules
Why we do not publish an old daily timetable here: the detailed operational plan still linked by Cameron County was issued in 2021 and expressly says days and times may change. Its old COVID-screening language is also not being presented here as a current rule. Call the jail before leaving home.
Check the live Jail Division page Read the county-linked visitation plan
Calls, messages and video

Use NCIC after booking is complete

Telephone calls
  • Cameron County currently uses NCIC Inmate Communications.
  • Normal incoming calls cannot be received by inmates.
  • Voicemail may be available to approved inmates.
  • Telephone access is provided after the booking process is completed.
  • Phones are available in housing areas.
  • Three-way calling is prohibited.
Remote communication
  • Video visits: currently listed at $0.30 per minute.
  • Text messages: $0.25 per message.
  • Picture messages: $0.35 each.
  • Video messages: $0.35 each.
  • The same prepaid account can manage calls, video visits and messages.
Create or fund an NCIC account NCIC en Español NCIC support: 1-800-943-2189
Do not discuss case strategy on ordinary jail communication. Normal inmate calls, social video visits and electronic messages should not be treated as confidential attorney-client communications.
Prices and communication providers can change. The amounts above are the rates currently published on Cameron County’s Jail Division page as of the review date shown on this article.
Trust fund and commissary

Use the inmate’s exact name and ID before sending funds

What Cameron County currently says
  • Money with the inmate at booking is placed in the inmate trust fund.
  • Funds may be used for commissary purchases.
  • The county currently identifies the commissary as FS & More Commissary.
  • Inmates cannot transfer money to another inmate.
  • Inmates cannot keep cash, checks or money orders on their person.
Money mailed to the trust fund
  • Only a money order or certified check is accepted through the mail.
  • No cash.
  • Make the payment payable to the inmate.
  • Include the inmate name and inmate ID number.
Published trust-fund mailing format

CAMERON COUNTY JAIL DIVISION
CO Inmate Trust Fund
Inmate Name / Inmate ID #
P.O. Box 1539
Olmito, TX 78575
Do not put cash in the mail. The county states that cash received through the mail will be returned to the sender.
The current county page does not give enough detail for us to safely invent an online commissary-deposit provider. If you want to pay electronically rather than mail a certified instrument, call the current facility and ask which deposit option is authorised for that inmate.
Personal inmate mail

Check the destination with the jail before putting the letter in the mail

Cameron County’s current Jail Division page links to a visitation/mail operational plan from 2021. Some addresses in that PDF differ from the live facility-contact page today. For that reason, the safest workflow is to use the rules below to prepare the envelope, then call the facility to confirm the current destination.

Information the county-linked plan requires

Inmate’s full name
Inmate ID number
Pod and/or cell assignment
Sender’s full name
Complete return address
No package unless separately authorised

Addresses printed in the county-linked plan

Confirm these with the jail because the linked plan is older
Facility named in plan
Mail address shown
What to know
Cameron County Jail
954 E Harrison St, Brownsville, TX 78520
This matches the address currently shown on the live Jail Division contact page.
Ruben Torres Detention Center / Detention Center II
1145 E Harrison St, Brownsville, TX 78520
This facility wording appears in the older county-linked mail plan; confirm current routing before mailing.
Carrizales-Rucker Detention Facility
7100 Old Alice Rd, Olmito, TX 78575
The live Jail Division contact page now lists Carrizales Detention Center at 7300 Old Alice Road, so confirm the mail address before sending.

Mail items the county-linked plan says not to send

Attached items

No glued or taped material, staples, paper clips, stickers, Post-it notes, strings, wires or laminated items.

Writing supplies

No pens, pencils, blank paper, envelopes, stamps or mailing labels.

Craft or cosmetic material

No glitter, stones, fabric, coloring pages, paint, lipstick or perfume.

Printed extras

The plan restricts internet material, newspaper or magazine clippings, puzzles and certain computer printouts.

Images

Revealing or nude images, gang signs and other categories specified by the jail are restricted.

Third-party mail

The plan prohibits third-party mail and states that packages are not accepted through ordinary inmate mail.

Best practical move: prepare the envelope only after you have the current inmate ID, pod or cell assignment and confirmed facility. That avoids sending mail to a location the person has already left.
Bond and release

Do not try to calculate release from the charge column alone

The public Cameron County inmate roster displays charges but does not provide a complete live bond-and-hold worksheet. For a family trying to arrange release, the useful sequence is to save the jail identifiers, check the court record and confirm the actual release conditions before paying anyone.

Save the BookingNumber and SONumber Keep the identifiers from the official jail roster.
Search Cameron County Smart Search Use the name or advanced SO Number / Booking Number filters to locate related court records, warrants and case information.
Confirm the current release condition Ask the jail or appropriate court about current bond information and whether another case or hold affects release.
If using a surety company, verify it Cameron County has an official Bail Bond Board and publishes a Cameron County Bail Bond Companies resource.
Do not pay an unsolicited caller Independently verify the inmate, case and bond company before sharing card information, cash or collateral.
Keep the paperwork Save the company name, licence information, receipt, premium, collateral terms and cause or booking number.
Open Cameron County Bail Bond Board Check court and warrant information
Cameron County Bail Bond Board Administrator
Ruby Ann Contreras
1100 E Monroe St, Basement Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: 956-544-0890
Email: ruby.contreras04@co.cameron.tx.us
Booking to court

Use Cameron County Smart Search to follow the case after jail intake

This is unusually useful for an inmate-search article: Cameron County’s current Smart Search has advanced filters specifically for SO Number and Booking Number. You do not have to start over with only the defendant’s name.
Open Cameron County Public Portal Choose Smart Search.
Try the record number or person’s name The search field accepts a record number or a name in Last, First Middle Suffix format.
Open Advanced Filtering Options This is where Cameron County exposes the most useful booking-to-court filters.
Use SO Number or Booking Number Copy the value exactly from the inmate roster when available.
Add the date of birth if needed The portal allows DOB filtering to reduce same-name results.
Select what you want included The portal provides options for cases, judgments, warrants and protection orders.
Narrow by case status or filing date Use the additional case filters when a person has multiple Cameron County records.
Read the court record—not only the jail charge Look for the filed offense, court events, bond orders, judgments, dismissals or other disposition information.
Open Cameron County Public Portal

Looking for an older criminal case?

Historical criminal index books

The District Clerk’s QuickLink currently provides searchable criminal case index books from 1953 through 1987. Use this historical route when a modern Smart Search does not solve an older-record question.

Search Cameron County District Clerk historical indexes
Cameron County District Clerk
Cameron County Courthouse – Judicial Building, 3rd Floor
974 E Harrison Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
Main District Clerk contact: 956-544-0838
Court-appointed lawyer and pretrial help

If the person cannot afford a lawyer, start with Cameron County Pretrial Services

Cameron County Pretrial Services handles indigent-defense screening and pretrial-release functions. The county makes clear that not everyone qualifies for a court-appointed attorney and publishes a document checklist plus an Application and Affidavit Determining Indigency.

For someone still in jail

Ask about requesting appointed counsel during the court or magistration process. Eligibility is determined through the county’s indigent-defense procedure.

Have the booked name, BookingNumber, SONumber and court case information ready when available.

For someone already released on Pretrial Services supervision

Cameron County allows required telephone-reporting clients to report by email when applicable.

Use subject line PTR BOND REPORTING and include complete name, DOB, address and telephone number.

Cameron County Pretrial Services
974 E Harrison St, 2nd Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520
Office: 956-574-8118
Email: pretrial@co.cameron.tx.us
After-hours supervision problems: Cameron County directs people supervised for conditions such as GPS monitoring, alcohol monitoring, curfew monitoring or drug testing to phone or text 956-769-3839 or email ptsupervision@co.cameron.tx.us.
Open Cameron County Pretrial Services
Medicine, clothing and property

What family members can actually do while someone is held

Prescribed medication

The jail says prescribed medicine may be brought for an inmate, but the medical department must approve it.

Medical privacy

The county says inmate medical information will not be given to family members for security reasons.

Medical telephone calls

Family calls are not transferred directly to the jail medical department.

Clothing and property pickup

Property information currently published by the Jail Division
Situation
Published procedure
Family picking up inmate clothing
Monday, Tuesday and Friday only, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Release from Carrizales before 5:00 p.m.
The inmate receives property when released.
Carrizales release after 5:00 p.m.
The county says the person must return the next business day for property.
Transfer to another county
Property and money are provided to the transporting agency for safekeeping.
Person sent to TDCJ
Family has 30 days from the inmate’s release date to pick up property.
TDCJ-related property pickup
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; other arrangements require advance scheduling with a lieutenant.
When county custody is no longer the answer

Use the custody system that now has the person

Texas state prison

Use TDCJ after transfer into Texas prison custody. Its inmate information system can provide location, offenses and projected release information.

Search TDCJ
Federal prison

The Cameron County roster expressly excludes federal prisoners and detainees. BOP searches federal inmates from 1982 to the present.

Search Federal BOP
ICE detention

Use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator for someone currently in ICE custody or qualifying recent CBP custody.

Open ICE detainee search
ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line: 1-888-351-4024. ICE currently states that trained operators are available Monday–Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with language assistance available.
Jail condition or care concern

Where to raise a county-jail standards concern

When a concern involves conditions or care in a Texas county jail and normal facility contacts have not resolved it, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards provides an online County Jail Complaints & Inquiries form.

Information worth preparing
  • Name of the county jail
  • Inmate’s name
  • Your contact information
  • A concise description of the issue
  • Relevant dates and prior contacts
Know the limits

TCJS explains that some matters fall outside its complaint jurisdiction, including certain civil-rights allegations, attorney or case complaints, PREA allegations and excessive-force complaints.

Open Texas county-jail complaint form TCJS: 512-463-5505
Keep these contacts together

Cameron County jail, court, bond and pretrial contacts

Cameron County Jail
954 E Harrison St
Brownsville, TX 78520

956-544-0865

Carrizales Detention Center
7300 Old Alice Road
Olmito, TX 78575

956-554-6701

Cameron County District Clerk
974 E Harrison St, 3rd Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520

956-544-0838

Pretrial Services
974 E Harrison St, 2nd Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520

956-574-8118

pretrial@co.cameron.tx.us

Bail Bond Board
1100 E Monroe St, Basement Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520

956-544-0890

NCIC Communications

1-800-943-2189

Calls, video visits, messages and account support.

Map: Cameron County Jail in Brownsville

Map: Carrizales Detention Center in Olmito

Before driving: reopen the inmate roster, call the facility, confirm the person is still there, ask for the current visitor entrance and parking instructions, and verify that visitation is occurring at the time you plan to arrive.
A faster family workflow

If the arrest happened today, save these five things first

1. Booked name

Copy the name exactly as Cameron County displays it.

2. Booking date

Make sure it fits the arrest you are trying to locate.

3. Booking number

Useful when calling and searching the court portal.

4. SO number

Another local identifier accepted by court Smart Search.

5. Charges

Save every line, but do not treat it as the final court outcome.

Once those five details are saved, the rest becomes easier: confirm the facility, find the court record, ask about bond, set up communication and avoid sending money or mail to the wrong place.
10 current-custody questions

Cameron County Jail inmate search FAQs

How often is the Cameron County inmate list updated?

Cameron County states that its Sheriff’s Department inmate roster is updated every two hours. The page also displays a “List Updated Today” notice. Because booking, release and transfer activity can occur between updates, call the jail when you need to confirm a person’s current custody status.

Does the Cameron County inmate roster show everyone in the jail?

No. Cameron County specifically says the roster is not a comprehensive listing of everyone being held. It covers certain people currently or within the previous seven days housed in Cameron County jails, and the county states that federal prisoners and detainees are not included.

How can I confirm that someone is still in Cameron County Jail?

Use the official inmate roster as the first check, then save the person’s booking number and SO number. The public roster does not display a simple live custody-status field or facility assignment, so call Cameron County Jail at 956-544-0865 or Carrizales Detention Center at 956-554-6701 when the person’s present location or release status must be confirmed.

What are the Booking Number and SO Number on the Cameron County inmate list?

They are identifiers displayed with the Cameron County booking record. Save both before closing the roster. Cameron County’s court Smart Search also provides advanced filters for SO Number and Booking Number, making the identifiers useful when looking for the related court case.

Why can’t I find a federal or immigration detainee on the Cameron County roster?

The county’s inmate-list notice specifically excludes federal prisoners and detainees. If the person may be in ICE custody, use the official ICE Online Detainee Locator. For a federal Bureau of Prisons inmate, use the BOP Inmate Locator. A missing name on the Cameron County page should not be treated as proof that the person is not detained somewhere else.

Which Cameron County jail should I call about an inmate?

The current Cameron County Jail Division page lists Cameron County Jail at 954 East Harrison Street in Brownsville, phone 956-544-0865, and Carrizales Detention Center at 7300 Old Alice Road in Olmito, phone 956-554-6701. If the online roster does not identify where the person is housed, call before driving to either location.

What do I need to visit an inmate in Cameron County?

The current Jail Division page requires adult visitors to present valid photo identification. The county-linked visitation plan also states that inmates use an authorized visitor list, allows up to five adults on that list, prohibits contact visitation and electronic devices in the visitation room, and provides a minimum of two 20-minute visits per week. Because that linked plan says visitation days and times are subject to change, confirm the current schedule with the jail before traveling.

How can I send money to a Cameron County inmate?

The current Cameron County Jail Division page says only money orders or certified checks are accepted through the mail and cash will be returned. Make the payment payable to the inmate and mail it to Cameron County Jail Division, CO Inmate Trust Fund, Inmate Name/Inmate ID Number, P.O. Box 1539, Olmito, TX 78575. Confirm current deposit options with the jail before sending funds.

How can I call, message or video visit a Cameron County inmate?

Cameron County currently uses NCIC Inmate Communications for prepaid calls, messaging and remote video visits. Inmates cannot receive normal incoming calls, although voicemail may be available to approved inmates. The county currently publishes remote video at 30 cents per minute, messages at 25 cents each and picture or video messages at 35 cents each. NCIC account assistance is available at 1-800-943-2189.

How do I find bond, court or appointed-attorney information after a Cameron County booking?

Save the booking number and SO number from the jail roster and search the Cameron County Public Portal. Its Smart Search accepts a record number or name and offers advanced filters for SO Number, Booking Number, date of birth, case type, case status, warrants and other fields. For court-appointed counsel screening and pretrial-release questions, contact Cameron County Pretrial Services at 956-574-8118.

Official sources used

Where the Cameron County information on this page came from

Custody and jail services

Cameron County Sheriff’s Department Inmate List

Cameron County Jail Division

County-linked Visitation Operational Plan

Court, bond and counsel

Cameron County Public Portal

District Clerk historical QuickLink

Cameron County Pretrial Services

Cameron County Bail Bond Board

Other custody systems

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Federal Bureau of Prisons

ICE Online Detainee Locator

Texas Commission on Jail Standards

Accuracy and legal-use notice

Texas-arrest.org is an independent informational resource. It is not Cameron County, the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office, Cameron County District Clerk, Cameron County Pretrial Services, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, ICE, the Federal Bureau of Prisons or a law firm.

Cameron County itself cautions that its inmate roster is subject to frequent revision and possible error and should be independently verified. Do not use a name, photograph or charge alone to make an identity, employment, housing, financial, safety or legal decision.

A booking or criminal charge is an allegation, not proof of guilt. Release from jail does not mean that a court case was dismissed, and a missing name on the county roster does not prove that a person is not in another local, state, federal or immigration custody system.

Last official-source review: August 16, 2026. Current roster behavior, the two-hour update statement, jail contacts, NCIC communication information, trust-fund instructions, county-linked visitation rules, court Smart Search fields, Bail Bond Board contacts, Pretrial Services information, TDCJ, BOP, ICE and Texas county-jail complaint resources were reviewed for this update.

Leave a Comment