Kenedy County Jail & Sheriff

Kenedy County, located in the state of Texas, has a population of 350 as of the 2020 census. It is one of the least populous counties in both Texas and the United States, ranking third and fourth, respectively. The county seat is Sarita.

To visit an inmate at the jail, it is advised to directly contact the jail for information. Please note that visitation may be limited or restricted due to Covid-19 precautions.

For families with concerns or inquiries, the Kenedy County Sheriff's Office has established a hotline available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If the call goes unanswered, leaving a message will prompt a staff member to return the call.

Visitation hours are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

In terms of crime rate, Kenedy, TX had a 2019 crime index of 501 (according to City-Data.com), which is 1.9 times higher than the national average. It exceeded the crime rate of 95.7% of cities in the United States.

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Kenedy County Jail & Sheriff?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Kenedy County Jail & Sheriff, call the jail’s booking line at 361-294-5205.

There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.

Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.

If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.

Kenedy County Jail & Sheriff Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Kenedy County?

After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Kenedy County for booking.

Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

What is the booking process like at the Kenedy County Jail & Sheriff?

Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Kenedy County and other Texas and USA jurisdictions.

If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.

It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.

Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.

What happens after booking?

At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.

If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Kenedy County Jail & Sheriff will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.

Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

How long does the Kenedy County Jail & Sheriff Booking process take?

Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.

If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.