Multnomah County Booking Records and Arrests

Multnomah County is the most populous county in Oregon and home to Portland. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office runs two jail facilities that process thousands of bookings each year. Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell leads the office as the 41st sheriff and the first woman to hold the role. She has served the agency since 1996 and holds dual police and corrections certification. If you want to find recent arrests in Multnomah County, this page walks you through the tools, facilities, and processes you need to know.

Multnomah County Jail Facilities

Multnomah County operates two detention facilities. The Multnomah County Detention Center sits at 1120 SW 3rd Avenue in Portland. This is a maximum security facility with 448 beds. You can reach it by phone at (503) 988-3689. Most new bookings from recent arrests in Multnomah County are processed here first. The downtown location makes it the primary intake point for arrests made by Portland police and other local agencies.

The Multnomah County Inverness Jail is at 11540 NE Inverness Drive in Portland. This medium security facility holds up to 1,037 beds and handles a large share of the county's inmate population. You can call Inverness at (503) 988-5060. Together, the two jails provide 1,485 beds for people booked on charges in Multnomah County.

The image below shows the main page of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office website, where you can find information about both jail facilities and recent arrests.

Both jails are run by trained corrections staff. Hiring at the sheriff's office increased by more than 50% in 2025, which helped fill gaps in jail staffing and patrol coverage across the county.

How to Find Recent Arrests in Multnomah County

There are several ways to search for recent arrests in Multnomah County. You can call the jail directly to ask about a specific person. The Detention Center number is (503) 988-3689, and Inverness is (503) 988-5060. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody and provide basic booking details. HB 3273 prevents booking photos from being posted on the sheriff's website, so you will not find mugshots online.

For warrant checks, call (503) 988-3050. This line handles questions about outstanding warrants tied to Multnomah County cases. A warrant means an arrest can happen at any time, so checking this line can tell you if a case is still active.

State-level tools also cover Multnomah County arrest records. The Oregon State Police CJIS portal lets you search criminal history records from all 36 counties. Under ORS 181A.220, all law enforcement agencies in Oregon must report arrest data to the state. The Oregon Department of Corrections offender search covers people who have moved from local jail to state prison. These tools give you a broader view of someone's record beyond just Multnomah County.

Note: HB 3273 bars the posting of booking photos on public websites. Arrest records are still public, but images are not shared online.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Operations

The sheriff's office serves areas beyond Portland. It provides direct law enforcement to Fairview, Maywood Park, Troutdale, Wood Village, and all unincorporated parts of the county. Deputies patrol more than 100 miles of waterways, making this the largest river patrol operation in Oregon. The Columbia and Willamette rivers both flow through the county, and the marine unit handles everything from safety checks to search and rescue on the water.

Sheriff O'Donnell started her career with the agency in 1996. She rose through the ranks and earned both police and corrections certifications along the way. Her leadership has focused on staffing, community partnerships, and modernizing jail operations. The agency serves the most densely populated county in Oregon, which brings a high volume of calls and a steady stream of recent arrests in Multnomah County.

The county was founded in 1854. Its first sheriff was William McMillen. The historic Rocky Butte Jail served the county from 1942 to 1983 before the current facilities took over. Today's jails reflect decades of change in how Oregon handles detention and booking after an arrest.

Victim Notification for Multnomah County Arrests

Multnomah County uses the VINE system to notify crime victims when someone tied to their case is released or moved. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It runs around the clock and sends alerts by phone, email, or text. This is a free service for anyone who was a victim of a crime that led to a recent arrest in Multnomah County.

To sign up, you need the name or booking number of the person in custody. The system lets you track their status in real time. If they are released, transferred, or escape, you get an alert right away. This tool is key for safety planning after a violent crime or domestic incident. The sheriff's office can help you set up VINE alerts if you need assistance.

Inverness Jail Library and Programs

The Inverness Jail launched a dedicated library in October 2025. The library was named in honor of Carol Cook, who led 120 literacy sessions and reached 1,189 attendees during her time with the program. The library gives inmates access to books, legal materials, and educational resources. Programs like these aim to reduce the chance that someone booked on a Multnomah County recent arrest will end up back in custody later.

Corrections staff at both jails work to provide structured activities for inmates. Access to reading and learning is one part of a broader effort to support people during and after their time in custody. Under ORS 192.345, records about specific inmates and their participation in programs may be partially exempt from public disclosure, but the existence of these programs is public knowledge.

What Multnomah County Arrest Records Show

A booking record from Multnomah County will include key data about the arrest. Most records show the following details:

• Full name and date of birth of the person booked
• Date and time of the booking
• All charges filed at the time of arrest
• Bail or bond amount set by the court
• Arresting agency and case number
• Release date if the person is no longer in custody

Under Oregon public records law, these facts are available to anyone. The Department of Corrections tracks people who move from the Multnomah County jail system to state prison. Court records for cases that stem from Multnomah County recent arrests are filed at the county courthouse and can be searched through the state eCourt system.

Multnomah County Records Request Process

You can submit a public records request to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 350, Portland, OR 97214. Call (503) 988-4300 for general questions. Put your request in writing and include as much detail as you can about the arrest or record you seek. The office will review your request and respond based on Oregon law.

Some records may take longer than others. Complex requests that involve multiple cases or span a wide date range will need more time. Under ORS 192.345, certain exemptions allow the office to redact or withhold parts of a record. Ongoing investigations, confidential informant data, and juvenile records are among the most common exemptions. The core facts of an adult arrest in Multnomah County are nearly always public.

Note: The sheriff's office main line at (503) 988-4300 can direct you to the right division for records, warrants, or jail questions.