How to Search for Oregon Inmate Records Online

The Oregon Department of Corrections documents, preserves, and regularly updates information about Oregon inmates. As per the dictates of the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Oregon Public Records Law, the general public has access or can request access to all records held by government bodies in Oregon, that are considered “public.” You need to pay a certain fee to obtain these records and thus you can acquire information on any person who has been sentenced to an Oregon jail.

Reasons for Conducting an Inmate Search

An Oregon inmate search is akin to conducting a criminal background check on an individual. An inmate search will help you allay your suspicions about a doubtful character. It will also help you find a person who may be housed in a jail in Oregon. Records of Inmates housed in various incarceration facilities of the state are also available from the resource of the Oregon Department of Corrections.

Inmate Information

An Oregon inmate search result contains all information that is considered public. It thus includes a mug shot of the person, details of his/her physical appearance including scars and tattoos, the nature of his/her offense, and the details of his/her conviction.

Like most other US states, Oregon also does not make public inmate information involving juvenile offenders or cases that have been ordered sealed by the court.

Procedure for Conducting an Oregon Inmate Search

Oregon inmate information is available online at various governmental web sites. You may look for records on http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/ID/public_records.shtml or on the Oregon Offender Search (OOS) system http://docpub.state.or.us/OOS/intro.jsf  The OOS houses information on all inmates currently serving sentence at the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC.) The OOS system has been initiated as a public service tool.

You can conduct an Oregon inmate search using these parameters: the complete name of the individual or a partial name. Use the asterisk (*) in place of the unknown portions of the name, if you are conducting a partial name search.

You may also make a request to obtain information about an inmate at Oregon’s Department of Corrections, online by clicking on http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/public_record_requests.shtml. The DOC makes available this information as soon as it is feasible. There is a protocol maintained in this process: the request is only received by the respective unit, the Department may get in touch with you should it require additional information or clarification, the Department or the respective unit calculates the approximate cost of fulfilling the request and informs you, and finally provides you with the information once it receives the payment.

If you have doubts regarding which unit to direct your request to, you may seek help from Jeanine Hohn, Communications Manager, by mailing him on his id jeanine.m.hohn@doc.state.or.us. The estimated costs of requesting Oregon inmate records are drawn up in the Administrative Rule for Public Record Requests of the Department of Corrections, on their website http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_200/OAR_291/291_037.html

You may also request information about an inmate by submitting a request in writing at the Oregon Department of Corrections. Keep in mind that your request should contain a detailed description of the kind of information you are seeking, the name of the inmate if possible, and your name, address, and contact number. You can submit this request in person at the Department office or mail it to the Oregon Department of Corrections, 2575 Center Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301-4600. You may also call the Department at 1.503.945.9090 and request to be directed to someone who can provide you information about an inmate.

The inmate records at the Oregon Department of Corrections are documented and upgraded regularly but the Department does not vouch for their genuineness. So, when you are conducting a search for Oregon inmates, do keep in mind that the Department of Corrections cannot be held legally responsible for the information that is housed on their web site.  This information cannot be termed as being “official” and the onus is entirely on you to use this information responsibly.

Information is power. A carefully conducted Oregon inmate search and responsible use of the information thus generated will ensure your safety from dubious individuals.