Kent Inmate Population Records and Jail Search
Kent inmate population records are split between two King County systems depending on the type of charge. The Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) is physically located in Kent and handles felony pre-trial custody and King County Superior Court proceedings for South King County. Misdemeanor arrests by Kent Police may route to the SCORE regional jail in Des Moines. This page explains both systems, how to search them, and what other resources are available for looking up Kent inmate records.
Kent Jail Overview
Where Kent Arrests Are Processed
Kent is unique among South King County cities because the Maleng Regional Justice Center sits within city limits at 401 4th Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032. The MRJC is a King County facility that houses the county jail for South King County, King County Superior Court courtrooms, and other county services. When someone is arrested on a felony charge in Kent, they are typically booked into the MRJC rather than being transported to the downtown Seattle facility.
For misdemeanor arrests, Kent Police use SCORE, the South Correctional Entity, at 20817 17th Ave S in Des Moines. Kent is a member city of SCORE along with Auburn, Burien, Federal Way, Renton, SeaTac, and Tukwila. Misdemeanor detainees go to SCORE; felony detainees go to MRJC or, in some circumstances, the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle. Knowing the charge level matters a lot when you are trying to figure out where someone is held.
| Felony Facility | Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC), 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 |
|---|---|
| Misdemeanor Facility | SCORE, 20817 17th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198 |
| King County DAJD | kingcounty.gov/dept/dajd |
| Kent Police | 1230 Central Ave S, Kent, WA 98032 |
| Police Phone | 253-856-5800 |
| Kent Police Website | kentwa.gov/departments/police-department |
The King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) manages all King County jail facilities, including the MRJC. DAJD oversees classification, housing assignments, programs, and inmate records across all county detention sites. If you have a question about which King County facility holds a specific inmate, DAJD is the agency to contact.
How to Search Kent Inmate Population Records
For felony cases, use the King County Jail Information and Lookup System (JILS). The King County JILS portal lets you search by name or booking number across all King County detention facilities, including the MRJC in Kent. Results show current housing location, charge information, and case status.
The screenshot below shows the King County DAJD page, which is the agency responsible for all Kent felony inmate population records at the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
This agency page is a good starting point for understanding the full King County jail system, including which facilities are active and how to reach staff with specific inmate questions.
The screenshot below is from the King County Sheriff's Office page, which operates the MRJC in Kent and provides additional search tools and information for custody records.
For misdemeanor cases, search SCORE at scorejail.org. The SCORE roster is searchable by last name and shows charges, bond amounts, arresting agency, and release date. Kent Police transport misdemeanor arrestees directly to SCORE, so the SCORE roster is often the first place to check for recent, lower-level Kent arrests.
Note: If you are unsure whether the arrest was a misdemeanor or felony, check both JILS and SCORE. If the person does not appear in either, they may have been released already or transferred to a state DOC facility.
Public Records Access for Kent Inmate Population
Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, gives the public the right to request government records including jail rosters, booking logs, and arrest data. You do not need a reason. Agencies must respond within five business days. Both King County and Kent Police are covered by this law.
Jail registers are governed by RCW 70.48.100, which requires jails to keep a public record of everyone held in custody. That record must include name, date and time of confinement, and manner of release. Both the MRJC and SCORE maintain public rosters in compliance with this statute.
To request records from Kent Police, contact the department at 1230 Central Ave S, Kent, WA 98032, or call 253-856-5800. The department's website is at kentwa.gov/departments/police-department. For King County jail records, contact DAJD directly through the DAJD website. Written requests are the most reliable method for older records.
VINE Notification for Kent Inmates
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) tracks custody changes at King County detention facilities, including the MRJC in Kent, and at SCORE. If you need alerts when a Kent inmate is released, transferred, or has a scheduled court event, register at VINELink.com. The service is free and anonymous. You can get alerts by phone, text, or email.
VINE also covers Washington State DOC facilities. If an inmate is moved from the MRJC to a state prison after sentencing, you can set up tracking for that move as well. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs operates VINE statewide. Registration takes a few minutes and does not require you to share your personal identity with the facility.
Court Records for Kent Cases
The MRJC in Kent houses not just the jail but also King County Superior Court courtrooms for South King County. This makes Kent a hub for felony court proceedings for the region. You can search court case records through courts.wa.gov, which covers Superior Court, District Court, and Municipal Court statewide.
Felony cases from Kent are heard at King County Superior Court, with the South Division courtrooms located at the MRJC. Misdemeanor cases go to Kent Municipal Court or King County District Court at the same MRJC building. The Washington Courts public case search is free and shows filings, hearing dates, charges, and final dispositions.
Arrest records from the jail system and court records from the courts system are maintained separately. A jail record shows what happened at booking; a court record shows what happened afterward. For the full story of a case, you need to check both.
State Resources for Kent Inmate Searches
If someone from Kent was sentenced to more than one year in prison, they will be in a Washington State DOC facility rather than a local jail. The Washington DOC incarcerated person search covers all state prisons. You can search by name or DOC number and see the current facility and projected release date.
The Washington State Patrol WATCH system at watch.wsp.wa.gov provides fingerprint-based criminal history searches for $11. WATCH covers statewide conviction records and recent arrests still awaiting court resolution. It is more accurate than name-only searches and is the right tool when you need verified background information on a Kent resident.
The full text of applicable statutes, including RCW 42.56 and RCW 70.48.100, is available on the Washington State Legislature website. These statutes define your right to request jail and arrest records in Washington.
King County Inmate Population Records
Kent is in King County, and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent is a King County facility. The county page covers both the MRJC and the King County Correctional Facility downtown, with full details on JILS, DAJD, and the King County inmate search process.
Nearby Cities
These South King County cities are near Kent and use the same King County and SCORE jail systems for their inmate population.