How to Find, Access and Research Louisiana Arrest Records

Unlike many U.S. states, Louisiana does not allow access to the records of offenders to the public. These include those who have a past arrest record, are presently under incarceration, or those undergoing trials under the supervision of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. This is as stated by the Louisiana state law, R.S. 15:574.12.

Though these records are not available for public use, there is a provision for a state agency or subdivision to check these Louisiana arrest records. The information is available to the Parole Board, Pardon Board, Governor’s Office, law enforcement agencies, sentencing judge, appropriate governmental agencies, DPS&C personnel, and public officials. The arrest records of Louisiana are maintained by the Louisiana Department of Corrections, a part of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

Department of Corrections' Offenders

It is the responsibility of the Department of Corrections, Louisiana to keep adult offenders in custody. The number of offenders in Louisiana is about 38,000 as of 2009. However there is provision for about 19,000 inmates in the 12 state correctional facilities. This problem is solved by the housing of inmates at the parish and private correctional facilities. Some of the inmates under work release are housed in the various work release centers of Louisiana as well.

Apart from these offenders under incarceration, there are a number of offenders serving parole and probation sentences. These offenders number up to 63,000 and are under the supervision of the Probation and Parole Division of the Department of Corrections, Louisiana. Even the families of the inmates cannot access the records about the inmates. It is only the inmate who can request specific information and convey the same to whomever he or she wishes.

Louisiana Offender Locator System

There is a provision for individuals, however, to search for a particular inmate in the State of Louisiana. This is a comparatively new service offered to the public by the Department of Corrections Louisiana beginning on August 19, 2009. You can use the Offender Locator system to learn the details about a particular individual who has been arrested and is presently under incarceration. This service is available 24X7 and all you need to do is call 225-383-4580.

In order to obtain the information, you need to provide the full name of the individual and the date of birth. Or, you can check for the information by providing the specific Department of Corrections number assigned to every offender. The information offered includes housing assignment, the correctional facility address where the inmate is housed, a contact number of the facility and the release date of the offender (if any).

Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System

The Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System is another way of accessing certain information about Louisiana arrests if you have been the victim of a crime. The system functions under the joint supervision of the Office of the Governor and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice. The state and parish correctional facilities of Louisiana provide the information which is stored by the system.

When you opt for a search, the system scans this database and finds accurate results. The details from the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System include the current custody of the offender and the case status. To use this search option, you can call the toll free number: 866-528-6748. This search can also be conducted online. All you need to do is log on to https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/initMap.do.


Once you go to this website you would find a map of the USA. Click on the State of Louisiana and you would be navigated to the registration page https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/initSearchForm.do?searchType=offender&siteId=19000. You need to include certain criteria in order to conduct a search of the inmates of Louisiana correctional facilities. These include the full name or the identification number of the offender. Additional information provided would narrow down the search and make it more accurate.

The mailing address of the headquarters of the Department of Corrections Louisiana is:

P.O. Box 94304    
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9304

and the physical address is:

504 Mayflower Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

You can also call or fax your queries to the different divisions working under the Louisiana Department of Corrections. The contact and fax numbers of these divisions are as follows:

•    Adult Services
Phone: 225-342-9711
Fax: 225-342-3349

•    Board of Pardons
Phone: 225-342-5421
Fax: 225-342-2289

•    Board of Parole
Phone: 225-342-6622
Fax: 225-342-3701

•    Probation and Parole
Phone: 225-342-6609
Fax: 225-342-3087