Find an Inmate
Trying to locate someone who has been arrested or incarcerated? The right inmate search depends on whether the person is being held in a local jail, a state prison, or a federal facility. This guide will help you determine where to look.
Where Should You Search?
Start by identifying what type of facility is most likely holding the person. Recent arrests are usually handled differently from state or federal prison sentences.
City or County Jail
Start here if the person was recently arrested, is awaiting bond, awaiting trial, or is being held by a local sheriff or police agency.
State Prison
Use the state's Department of Corrections inmate locator if the person has been sentenced to state prison or transferred into state custody.
Federal Prison
People serving federal prison sentences are generally located through the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Search Our Local Jail Guides
Search by city, county, state, or facility name to find one of our jail guides and the official inmate-search information for that facility.
Search by Location or Jail Name
Enter the city where the arrest occurred, the county name, or the name of the jail or detention center.
I Don't Know What Jail They're In
If you only know that someone was arrested, use this process to narrow down where they may be held.
Start With Where the Arrest Happened
Identify the city, county, or general area where the person was arrested. Most people arrested locally are first processed through a city jail, county jail, detention center, or sheriff's facility serving that area.
Identify the County
Many major jail systems are operated by county sheriffs rather than the city itself. If you know the city, determine which county it is located in and search that county's inmate or booking records.
Check the Official Inmate Search
Look for the official sheriff, corrections, or detention agency inmate locator. Whenever possible, use an official government search rather than relying only on third-party inmate websites.
Allow Time for Booking
Someone who was arrested very recently may not appear immediately in an online inmate search. Booking, identification, medical screening, classification, and data entry can take time.
Check Nearby or Related Facilities
In some areas, people may initially be held at a city detention facility and later transferred to a county jail. Large counties may also operate several separate jail buildings.
Check Court or Booking Records
If you still cannot locate the person, local court records, arrest records, or booking information may help identify the agency handling the case.
Common Reasons You May Not Find Someone
An unsuccessful search does not necessarily mean the person has been released.
The Arrest Was Very Recent
Newly arrested people may not appear in the public database until booking and processing have been completed.
They Were Transferred
A person may move from a city holding facility to a county jail, another detention center, state custody, or federal custody.
You Are Searching the Wrong County
The place where someone lives is not necessarily the place where they were arrested or booked. Search the county where the arrest occurred.
The Name Is Entered Differently
Try alternate spellings, full legal names, middle names, hyphenated names, and date-of-birth information when the official inmate locator allows it.
They Have Already Been Released
Some inmate-search systems show only people who are currently in custody. A released person's record may disappear from the active inmate list.
The Facility Does Not Publish Online Records
Not every local jail provides a public real-time inmate locator. In those situations, you may need to contact the responsible detention or sheriff's agency directly.
Jail or Prison?
Knowing the difference can help you search the correct system.
Jail
Jails generally hold people who have recently been arrested, are awaiting court proceedings or bond, or are serving certain shorter sentences. They are commonly operated by counties, sheriffs, or local governments.
Prison
State and federal prisons generally hold people who have been convicted and sentenced to longer periods of incarceration. State prisoners are typically located through a state's corrections agency, while federal prisoners are located through the federal system.
Information That Can Help With an Inmate Search
You may not need all of this information, but the more accurate information you have, the easier it can be to identify the correct person.
Full Legal Name
Use the person's full name as it would likely appear in official records. Try alternate spellings if necessary.
Date of Birth
A birth date can help distinguish between people with the same or similar names.
City or County of Arrest
This is one of the most useful details because it helps identify the agency and jail system that may have custody.
Booking or Identification Number
If you already have a booking number, inmate number, or corrections ID, use it whenever the official search system allows.
Important
GotLockedUp.com is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with any jail, sheriff's office, court, Department of Corrections, or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Inmate status, housing location, release information, visitation rules, and other jail information can change. Always confirm important information with the official agency responsible for the person in custody.