Finding Information About a Prison Inmate

Before you can find out information about a prison inmate, you must know the type of facility where he or she is housed.  There are two types of prisons:  federal and state.  A prison inmate may also be temporarily housed at a county jail awaiting transfer to a federal or state prison. 

Prison Inmate Information Found in Federal Prison Records

The Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains its website at http://www.bop.gov/.  Here you will find facility addresses, information about the various prisons, career opportunities with federal prisons, and ongoing education and rehabilitation programs being run by federal prisons.  There is also a prison inmate locator search function.

A federal prison inmate records search must be conducted with the exact first and last name of the prison inmate or his or her federal ID number.  The search engine returns results on the age, race, and sex of the prison inmate, his or her release date, and current location.  The federal prison inmate search does not show photos or details of crimes committed by the prison inmate.

Prison Inmate Information Found in State Prison Records

State department of corrections websites will give you information on the specific addresses of facilities, visiting hours and rules, and current prison inmate populations.  State prison inmate locators are available on nearly all 50 states’ DOC websites.  Visit your state’s government website and access the Department of Corrections area.  If you do not see a prison inmate locator function on the main page, enter “prison inmate locator” into the search function of the site.

You may search by name, partial name, or prison inmate ID.  Results will always show the prison inmate’s name, age, birth date, sex, ethnicity, release dates, and current location.  Some search engines reproduce photos of prison inmates and contain rap sheets or details of prison inmate’s various crimes.  Most states delete information after the prison inmate has been released, though some keep archival records of prison inmates dating back several decades.

Prison Inmate Information Found in County Jail Records

Local jails are often used to house low level prison inmates while they await transfer to federal or state prisons.  If a search of the federal prison inmate locator or the state prison inmate locator does not reveal the information you are looking for, look up prison inmate information from the local jail.

Some jails have prison inmate locator search functions.  Enter the name or the prison inmate ID into the search engine and the results will show the prison inmate’s age, sex, ethnicity, birth date, release date, and current location.  Some search engines also host photos of jail prisoners and may have detailed information about their crimes.  If a search function is not available, call the jail for information.

Receiving Alerts if a Prison Inmate’s Status Changes

If you are concerned with a particular prison inmate’s whereabouts, you may sign up for email or text message alerts from the VINELink (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) network, available by clicking https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/initMap.do.  The VINE notification network covers 47 states and the District of Columbia.

Click on the state’s name, then click on Search and Register for Offenders on the next page.  Enter the offender ID or first and last name.  You may narrow the search by entering a birth date or age range if the prison inmate has a common name.  Click the Search button.  A list of all prison inmates with that name comes up, showing those who have been released, paroled, or are currently still in custody.

If the prison inmate is still incarcerated you may sign up to receive email or text message alerts if his or her status changes.  The VINE network alerts you via your chosen method if he or she is transferred or released.