To find someone in jail, search the inmate roster for the county jail where they were arrested, check your state Department of Corrections database for prison inmates, or use the federal BOP inmate locator for federal facilities. All three are free and searchable by name.
- Identify the facility type — county jail (recent arrest), state prison (convicted, serving 1+ years), or federal prison (federal crime).
- Search the inmate roster — use the county sheriff's website for jails, your state's DOC lookup for prisons, or BOP.gov for federal inmates.
- Look up the facility on Jail411 — find addresses, phone numbers, and visiting hours for any of the 6,700+ facilities in our directory.
- Call the facility directly — if online search fails, jail booking desks confirm inmate status with a full legal name and date of birth.
Last updated: March 6, 2026
When someone you know is arrested or incarcerated, finding out where they are being held can feel overwhelming. The good news is that inmate information is public record in the United States, and there are several reliable ways to locate someone who is in custody. This guide walks you through every method available, from online inmate rosters to federal databases and victim notification systems.
- Determine if they are in a local jail or state/federal prison
- Search county jail inmate rosters online
- Use state DOC inmate lookup tools
- Search the federal BOP inmate locator
- Call the facility directly
- Check VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)
- Use third-party inmate search services
- State-by-state DOC inmate search links
- What information you need
- What to do once you find them
- Frequently asked questions
Determine If They Are in a Local Jail or State/Federal Prison
Before you start searching, it helps to understand the difference between jails and prisons, because this determines where you should look.
- County jails hold people who have been recently arrested and are awaiting trial, as well as those serving short sentences (typically under one year). Jails are operated by county sheriffs or local authorities.
- State prisons house inmates who have been convicted of state crimes and are serving sentences longer than one year. These are operated by each state's Department of Corrections (DOC).
- Federal prisons hold people convicted of federal crimes such as drug trafficking, fraud, or immigration offenses. These are managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
If the person was recently arrested (within the past few days), they are most likely in a county or city jail. If they have already been convicted and sentenced, they may have been transferred to a state or federal prison.
For a deeper explanation, see our guide on jail vs. prison: what is the difference?
Search County Jail Inmate Rosters Online
Most county jails in the United States maintain an online inmate roster or booking log that is freely accessible to the public. This is usually the fastest way to find someone who has been recently arrested.
How to search a county jail roster:
- Go to the website of the county sheriff's office where the person was likely arrested.
- Look for a link labeled "Inmate Search," "Inmate Roster," "Who's In Jail," or "Jail Roster."
- Enter the person's last name and first name. Some systems also allow searching by booking number or date of birth.
- Review the results. The roster will typically show the inmate's name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and sometimes a mugshot.
If you are not sure which county to search, think about where the person lives or where they were last known to be. You can also browse our national jail directory to find the correct facility by state and county.
Use State Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup Tools
Every state operates a Department of Corrections (DOC) that maintains a searchable database of inmates in state custody. These tools are free and cover everyone serving a sentence in that state's prison system.
How to use a state DOC inmate search:
- Visit your state's DOC website (see the complete list below).
- Navigate to the "Offender Search" or "Inmate Lookup" page.
- Enter the person's name. Many states also let you search by DOC number or date of birth.
- Review the results, which typically include the inmate's current facility, projected release date, sentence information, and sometimes a photograph.
State DOC databases are most useful for finding someone who has already been convicted and sentenced to state prison. They generally do not include people who are in county jails awaiting trial.
Search the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator
If you believe someone is in a federal prison, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides a free inmate locator tool that covers all federal facilities nationwide.
How to use the BOP inmate locator:
- Visit www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
- Choose to search by name or by BOP Register Number.
- Enter the person's first and last name. You can narrow results by race, age, and sex.
- The results will show the inmate's name, register number, age, projected release date, and the facility where they are currently housed.
The BOP locator includes inmates currently incarcerated as well as those who have been released within approximately the last year. It does not cover state prisons or county jails.
Call the Facility Directly
If online searches are not producing results, calling the jail or prison directly is a reliable fallback. Correctional facilities have staff who can look up inmates by name and confirm whether a particular person is in custody.
Tips for calling:
- Have the person's full legal name ready. Nicknames or shortened names may not match booking records.
- Call during regular business hours when administrative staff are more likely to be available.
- Be patient. Jails receive many calls and you may be placed on hold.
- If you do not know which facility to call, start with the county jail where the person was likely arrested. Our facility directory includes phone numbers for thousands of jails and prisons nationwide.
Check VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)
VINELink is a free, nationwide service that allows anyone to search for inmates and register for notifications about changes in their custody status. VINE is especially useful if you are a victim of a crime and want to be notified when an offender is released, transferred, or escapes.
How to use VINE:
- Visit VINELink.com.
- Select the state where the person is incarcerated.
- Search by the offender's name or ID number.
- View custody status and, if desired, register for automated notifications via phone, email, or text message.
VINE covers participating jails and prisons across most of the country, but not all facilities are connected to the system. It is an excellent supplement to direct roster searches.
Use Third-Party Inmate Search Services
Several websites aggregate inmate data from multiple sources, allowing you to search across jails and prisons in one place. These can be helpful if you are not sure where someone is being held.
- Jail411 Directory — Our own national facility directory covers 6,747 correctional facilities and provides contact information, addresses, and links to each facility's inmate roster.
- County and state websites — Always verify information through official government sources rather than relying solely on third-party aggregators.
State-by-State Inmate Search Links
Below is a comprehensive list of every state's official Department of Corrections inmate search tool. These are all free to use and maintained by each state government. Click your state to go directly to its inmate lookup page.
What Information You Need to Search
Having the right details will make your search faster and more accurate. Here is what helps:
- Full legal name — First and last name as it appears on official documents. Middle names help narrow results when dealing with common names.
- Date of birth — Many search tools accept this to filter results, especially for common names like Smith or Johnson.
- Booking number or inmate ID — If you have this from a previous search or from the inmate themselves, it provides the most precise lookup.
- County or city of arrest — Narrows your search to the right jurisdiction.
- State — Determines whether to search a state DOC or county roster.
What to Do Once You Find Them
Locating an inmate is often just the first step. Once you know where someone is being held, here are the most common next steps:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if someone was arrested?
The fastest way is to search the inmate roster for the county jail in the area where the person was likely arrested. Most county sheriff websites publish current booking information online. You can also call the jail's booking desk directly. For a broader search, try VINELink, which covers jails and prisons across multiple states.
Can I find someone in jail with just their name?
Yes. Most inmate search tools only require a last name and first name to return results. However, common names may return many matches. Having additional information like date of birth, county of arrest, or a booking number will help you identify the right person more quickly.
How long after an arrest can you find someone in the system?
It depends on the facility. Most county jails update their online inmate rosters within 4 to 24 hours of booking. Some larger facilities may update in near real-time, while smaller rural jails may take longer or may not have online systems at all. If you cannot find someone online, calling the jail directly is always an option.
What if I cannot find someone in any inmate search?
There are several possibilities. The person may not have been booked yet, they may have been released on bond, they could be held under a different name or alias, or they may have been transferred to another facility. Try searching with alternate name spellings, check multiple counties, and call the jail directly for the most current information.
Is inmate search information public record?
Yes. In the United States, inmate booking records and incarceration status are considered public information. Federal and state laws require correctional agencies to make this data accessible. You do not need to be a relative or have any special relationship to search for an inmate. Be wary of websites that charge you for information that is freely available from government sources.
How do I find someone in a federal prison?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at BOP.gov/inmateloc. You can search by name or BOP register number. The tool covers all 122 federal facilities and includes both current inmates and those recently released.
Can I find out someone's release date?
In most cases, yes. State DOC inmate search tools typically show a projected or earliest possible release date. The federal BOP locator also displays projected release dates. County jail rosters may not show release dates for pretrial inmates, but they usually show bond amounts, which can indicate when someone might be released.
What is VINE and how does it work?
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is a free, automated service that allows you to search for inmates and register for notifications about changes in their custody status. When an offender is released, transferred, or escapes, VINE sends you an alert by phone, email, or text message. It is available in most states through VINELink.com.
Search Our National Facility Directory
Browse 6,747 correctional facilities across all 50 states and DC. Find contact information, addresses, and links to inmate rosters.
Browse the Directory