Information Contained in Department of Corrections Records

Records maintained by the Department of Corrections (DOC) in your state may offer significant amounts of information about a current or past inmate, possibly even yourself, to the public. This information may vary from state to state, but much of it will be the same across state lines. The Department of Corrections oversees all corrections within a state, so if you don't know which facility the inmate was or is being held, you'll want to access this general database.

Online Records for the DOC

Nearly every DOC has an online site that will allow the public to search for both facility locations as well as inmate records. These search options allow you to input one or several different identifiers and find your subject in the provided results. Personal information such as social security number will most likely be protected from view, but specific details about where the inmate was held, dates he or she was held there, and any correctional proceedings that took place while being under the DOC's care will be included. Original case information such as charges, arrests and current and prior convictions will also be shown.

Information Found in the Records

When searching for corrections records online, you'll need to input first and last name, physical information such as height and weight, date of birth, social security number, race, sex or identification number given to the inmate by the DOC. The accuracy of your search results will depend upon how much of this information you know and can provide.

You may also simply search by type of offense to find all the inmates in the system who are serving time for that type of crime. For example, you may want to know how many inmates in the state are serving time for sex crimes, fraud or battery. This type of information is only available through the Corrections Department database, as it is the most complete and all-encompassing in any state.

Other search options include searching by specific facility in the state, or only those offenders with photos included in the records. You may want to search only for those offenders who have escaped or are among the most wanted repeat offenders.

These corrections records remain active for several years after an inmate's release. Each state is different, but unless the local courts are petitioned to expunge records, they may remain available indefinitely. Also, inmate records may remain available even if an individual appeals his or her case and wins, unless an official request to expunge the records is granted.

If an inmate was ever disciplined or cited for unacceptable behavior while in a facility, this information may also be available. Upcoming parole hearings, release dates and identification numbers are all available through a Department of Corrections inmate search. These records will frequently provide information on currently held inmates, released parties, escapees, fugitives and supervised inmates for any member of the public who wishes to search them.