How to Access and Research Arizona Inmate Records

The inmate records of each state of the US are maintained and made publicly available by the Department of Corrections of each state. The records are provided to the public in the interest of informing citizens about the status of the inmates. The databases are searchable by state as well as county. At the level of counties, inmate records are maintained and stored by the office of county sheriff. The search provides inmate information such as name, date of conviction, type of offense, possible date of release, and in some cases, the inmate's photograph. Not all counties provide online inmate searches; in such cases, the county sheriff or the Department of Corrections can be approached directly for inmate information.

Searching for Inmate Records Online

To search the Arizona inmate records, visit the Arizona Department of Corrections website, located at http://www.azcorrections.gov/. The database of inmates has more than 10,000 entries, including anyone who has ever served an imprisonment term in Arizona since 1985. The Department's inmate search tool is available at http://www.azcorrections.gov/inmate_datasearch/Index_Minh.aspx. However, information on inmates who began their sentences at some point between 1972 and 1985, or who were released in that time period, is not available online. Information on these inmates can still be obtained by mailing the Arizona Department of Corrections at:

Central Office
1601 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85007

The Arizona DOC can also be contacted via telephone at 602-542-5497. For contact information on other departments of the Arizona government, visit http://www.azcorrections.gov/email.aspx.

Obtaining Your Own Copy of an Inmate Record

The Department can provide copies of these records to the public for a marginal fee. The DOC will not provide printed copies of records; they are sent in a self-extracting zip file that can be read in ASCII text format. To request a copy of an inmate record, send a signed mail on your company or agency letterhead and enclose a check of $190, made out to the State of Arizona. If you want the information through e-mail, provide the DOC with necessary details such as your IP address and firewall information so that the IT department can initiate the transfer. If you want a CD-ROM to be delivered to your mailing address, enclose the slip of prepaid and preaddressed freight, and provide your contact information so that you can be informed when the CD-ROM is shipped. Send the letter to:

Arizona Department of Corrections
Media Relations Office – Public Information Liaison
1601 W. Jefferson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

There is also a Historical Register that contains records of all inmates who were incarcerated in Arizona prisons at some point between 1872 and 1972. These records include handwritten ledgers. To access these historical records, visit http://www.azcorrections.gov/Historical/Jeff_ADCHistory_HundredYears.aspx.

There are some laws pertaining to the access of these records. As per ARS Section 31-221(E), an inmate is not allowed to access any inmate record aside from his or her own. A summary of each inmate's record is provided to him or her every year. Supplying an inmate with the records of other inmates is considered contraband and will result in the criminal prosecution of those providing records. Under ARS Section 13-2505, this is a Class 5 Felony, resulting in an imprisonment term of two and half years in an Arizona correctional facility.

Sources: http://www.azcorrections.gov/pio/DataExtract.asp
http://www.azcorrections.gov/inmate_datasearch/Index_Minh.aspx#inmate_access