Accessing and Researching New York Inmate Information

A search for New York inmate records can be conducted at the website of the New York State Department of Correctional Services, located at http://www.docs.state.ny.us/. These records are maintained by record access officers, also known as custodians. All requests for access to the records must be approved by these officers.

How to Access New York Inmate Records

Requests for obtaining copies of inmate records or for the viewing of such records must be made in writing along with the reason for seeking the information. Requests should be addressed to the access officer. Requests to view the special facility records should be directed to the superintendent of the appropriate correctional facility. Permission to access the records stored at the Central Office or any other location should be requested from:

Assistant Records Access Officer
Department of Correctional Services
1220 Washington Avenue
Building 2, Albany NY 12226-2050

Such requests are reviewed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also visit the appropriate correctional facility between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to access the records. The New York Department of Correctional Services, however, is not authorized to pass on information about the “rap” sheet that is prepared by the FBI or the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. It can only be disclosed to the Division of Parole, the Supreme Court, the New York State County, or a local law enforcement agency, as stated in Correction Law Section 147. For more information, visit http://www.docs.state.ny.us/Directives/2010.pdf.

New York Inmate Records for Media Use

Records requests for media purposes should be directed to one of the following:

Public Information Officer
Public Information Office
Department of Correctional Services
The Harriman State Office Campus
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226-2050
Fax: 518 457 7070
Ph: 518 457 8182
Email: 1mfoglia@docs.state.ny.us

Records Access Officer
Department of Correctional Services
The Harriman State Office Campus
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226-2050

All requests should be made in compliance with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).

New York Inmate Online Search

It is also possible to search for inmate information online. The search tool is available at http://nysdocslookup.docs.state.ny.us/. These records are accessible at all times, aside from regular maintenance periods. The service is unavailable for a period of fifteen minutes roughly around 11:45 p.m. EST every day. Upon visiting the search page, users must furnish information about the inmate, including his or her full name, year of birth, and Department ID number. If you are working for the Criminal Justice Department, enter the inmate's New York State ID number in the space provided and click on the “Submit” button. To obtain an inmate's Department ID number, you can request it by calling 518-457-5000.