Inmate Search

Inmate search tools allow family members, attorneys, and members of the public to look up where a specific person is being held. These tools are provided by government agencies and are generally free to use. The most important first step is knowing whether the person is in federal custody or state custody, because each system uses its own search database. Using a federal search tool to look for someone in a state prison will not return results.

For federal inmates, the Bureau of Prisons maintains a free Inmate Locator at bop.gov. You can search by first and last name or by BOP register number. The locator shows the current facility name and location, the projected release date, and basic inmate information such as age and race. It does not display detailed criminal history or the charges. For state inmates, each state's department of corrections operates its own searchable database, all of which are free and publicly available.

If an inmate does not appear in a search result, there are several possible explanations. The person may have been recently transferred and the database has not yet updated. They may be held in a facility type not covered by the database, such as a private facility, an immigration detention center, or a juvenile facility. The name may also be listed differently in the system, such as a legal name that differs from a preferred name or a nickname. Contacting the arresting jurisdiction or the relevant correctional agency directly is the most reliable way to locate someone who does not appear in online databases.