Temple Inmate Search and Jail Roster
The Temple jail roster shows who is currently in custody at the Bell County jail following arrests made by Temple police and other agencies operating in the area. Temple does not run its own city jail. When Temple officers make an arrest, the person is booked into the Bell County facility. This page walks you through how to search the roster, what information each booking record includes, how to use VINE to track custody status, and where to find state prison records when the person you are looking for is not in the county system.
Temple Overview
Where Temple Inmates Are Held
Temple is the largest city in Bell County. Arrests made within Temple city limits go through the Bell County jail, which is operated by the Bell County Sheriff's Office. There is no city-run detention center. This structure is common across Texas. City police handle arrests, and the county jail is where people wait for hearings, post bond, or serve shorter sentences.
The Bell County Sheriff's Office maintains the inmate roster and updates it as new bookings come in. Each record typically shows the person's name, date of birth, booking date, listed charges, bond amount, and current custody status. Both are free and open to anyone.
| Office | Bell County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 113 N. Main St., Belton TX 76513 |
| Phone | (254) 933-5400 |
| Website | bellcountytx.com |
If the person does not appear in the online system, call the sheriff's office. Records sometimes take a few hours to enter after someone is processed at the jail.
Temple Police Department
The Temple Police Department patrols city streets, responds to calls, and makes arrests throughout Temple. After an arrest is made, TPD transfers the individual to the Bell County jail. The police department does not maintain a separate jail roster. Their records cover arrests and incidents, not inmate housing.
Texas Government Code Chapter 552, the Public Information Act, allows anyone to request records held by Temple PD. This covers incident reports, arrest documentation, and other non-exempt records. Submit a written request to the department's public information officer. They have ten business days to respond. Some records related to active investigations or officer safety may be withheld, but most basic arrest records are public.
| Office | Temple Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 209 E. Avenue A, Temple TX 76501 |
| Phone | (254) 298-5500 |
| Website | templetexas.gov |
Denied requests must include the specific exemption being applied. You can challenge any denial with the Texas Attorney General's open records unit at no cost. Enter the person's name and date of birth to search. The tool will return any active bookings in the Bell County system. Results typically show charges, bond information, and booking date.
Have this information ready before you search:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Approximate arrest date
- Booking number if you have one
Recent arrests may not show up right away. Booking data is usually entered within a few hours but can take longer on busy nights. If the record shows a past booking with a release status, the person was already let out or moved. People transferred to a state facility will appear in TDCJ records instead of the county roster.
VINE Custody Notification
VINE, which stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday, is a free service available to anyone who wants to track an inmate's custody status. If someone was arrested in Temple and is being held at the Bell County jail, you can register on VINELink to receive alerts when they are released, transferred, or when their record changes in any way. Alerts are sent by phone, email, or text message.
To sign up by phone, call 1-877-894-8463. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VINE covers all Texas county jails, so Bell County inmates from Temple arrests are included. Victim advocates, family members, and legal representatives across the state use VINE regularly to stay informed without having to check the jail roster manually every day.
VINE System Screenshot
The image below is from VINE, the victim notification system used across Texas to track inmates including those booked following Temple arrests.
Use VINELink to register for alerts tied to a specific inmate's offender ID in the Bell County system.
State Inmate Records and Criminal History
The Temple jail roster only shows people currently in the Bell County jail. It does not include inmates serving state sentences. For those records, use the TDCJ Inmate Search. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice posts the name, facility, offense, and projected release date for every person in the state prison system.
If you need a broader criminal history, the Texas DPS Crime Records division maintains statewide data covering arrests, charges, and case outcomes. Some records are available to the public at no cost. Others may require a fee or a signed release. DPS records cover more than the county jail and are useful when you need a complete view of someone's criminal record in Texas.
Oversight of Bell County Jail
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards sets operating rules for all county jails in Texas. Under Title 37 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 265, jails must meet requirements for housing, medical care, staffing, and record keeping. The Bell County jail is inspected regularly by TCJS, and any violations must be corrected within set timelines. Inspection reports and compliance records are posted publicly on the TCJS website.
Public Records Requests in Temple
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, you have the right to request records from public agencies in Texas. This includes booking records, arrest logs, and incident reports from Temple PD and the Bell County Sheriff's Office. You do not need a reason. Write to the public information officer at the relevant agency, and they must respond within ten business days. Most jail and arrest records are public under Texas law.
If an agency denies your request, they must explain which exemption applies. You can take that denial to the Texas Attorney General's open records unit, which will review the denial and can order records released if the agency acted improperly. Filing a complaint with the AG is free and typically faster than going to court.
Bell County Jail Roster
All Temple arrests are processed through the Bell County jail. See the full county roster and inmate lookup below.