How to Search for Florida Inmate Records

The Florida Department of Corrections maintains all Florida inmate records, in addition to being responsible for the upkeep and implementation of various corrective measures for the inmates of the state. The Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) currently supervises about 101,000 inmates across its 56 state prison facilities and six private units. The DOC also supervises about 118,000 offenders out on community service, probation, or parole. The current recidivism rate for the state of Florida stands at 28%; almost a third of the total Florida inmate population is incarcerated again within a period of three years. These facts reflect only the statistics of the state prisons of Florida and do not count the number of inmates who are released from county jails or federal prisons.

Most of the prisons of Florida hold their inmates in large dormitories; the only exception is the state prison at Starke, where the inmates have a single cell to themselves. While violent offenders are expected to serve their entire term, most of the offenders convicted on lesser criminal charges must serve at least 85% of their prison time before they can be considered fit for release.

Conducting a Florida Inmate Search Online

The Florida DOC operates an extensive inmate information resource on the Internet at http://www.dc.state.fl.us/InmateInfo/. Citizens are free to search the inmate records maintained by the DOC from this website. Searching the various databases for relevant Florida inmate information is an ideal way of discovering the details related to the offenses committed by the inmates. These records also reveal details of the incarceration period as well as probable release dates and any other correctional measures taken. The Department also provides links to a number of databases conducive to searching for inmates currently serving their term in various correctional facilities all throughout the state.

The All Corrections Offender Database, located at http://www.dc.state.fl.us/AppCommon/, provides an option for searching through details of absconders and escapees as well as released prisoners and inmates placed under official supervision. Since the search encompasses all possible inmate records, it is important to enter the correct search criteria.

Searching for Inmates on Supervision

Information about offenders on supervision can be obtained by accessing the DOC's database of these individuals at http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveOffenders/. Most of the information is updated on a weekly basis; changes in inmate location as well as dates of termination of supervision are updated every night. This ensures that the information available to the public on this website is accurate. If you require additional information about the inmates on supervision, you can contact the Probation and Parole Services office of the Florida DOC by telephone at 850-487-2165 or by e-mail at co-supervision@mail.dc.state.fl.us.

The entire inmate population of Florida can be searched by using the search tool located at http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveInmates/. Using this search engine will return information about all the active inmates currently housed by the Florida DOC, including each inmate's location. More information about these inmates can be obtained by calling the Policy and Systems Development Section of the Bureau of Classification and Central Records at 850-488-9859. You can also request this information via e-mail by writing to central.classification@mail.dc.state.fl.us. The release management system of the Bureau of Classification and Central Records can also provide you with release dates and other details of prisoners who have been released or are awaiting release. To request this information, call 850-488-9167 or e-mail the appropriate division at dc.release@mail.dc.state.fl.us.

Information on Escaped Inmates

The Policy and Systems Development Section of the Bureau of Classification and Central Records is also entrusted with maintaining the records of inmates who have escaped from prison. These records are updated when an inmate escapes or is re-captured. Information about such escapees can be requested from the Bureau at 850-488-9859; you can also request these details by sending an e-mail message to central.classification@mail.dc.state.fl.us, or you can search for escaped inmates at the Florida DOC's website by visiting http://www.dc.state.fl.us/EscapedInmates/. Citizens can inform the Florida DOC about the location of an escaped convict by calling 850-922-6867 or 1-866-850-0355. All inmate records display photographs for easy identification, although the most effective means of identification is the matching of fingerprint records.