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The United States operates a correctional system with federal, state, and local facilities. At the national level, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) manages individuals convicted of or awaiting trial for federal crimes.
To locate someone within this system, the BOP provides a single, authoritative online tool: the Inmate Locator. This public database is the primary resource for finding individuals incarcerated in federal custody from 1982 to the present day.
Accessing the BOP Inmate Locator
The official way to access the federal search tool is through the BOP website.
Other government websites also provide pathways to this same database. The U.S. Department of Justice hosts a resource page titled “Locate a Prison, Inmate, or Sex Offender.” While this page offers additional resources, the “Federal Inmate Locator” link directs users to the same BOP search engine.
These different entry points can create the impression of multiple, separate databases, but they are merely different doorways to the same centralized system. Users can be confident that a search performed through any official government portal for federal inmates is querying the same authoritative BOP database.
How to Search: Step-by-Step Guide
The BOP Inmate Locator offers two distinct methods for finding an individual: by name or by number. The effectiveness of each method depends on the quality of information available to the searcher.
Search By Name
Searching by name is often the first step when a specific identification number is unknown. The system is designed as a funnel, allowing for a broad initial search that can be progressively narrowed.
Navigate to the locator website and select the “Find By Name” option.
Enter the individual’s First Name and Last Name. These are the minimum required fields.
Refine the Search (Optional but Recommended): To narrow the results, especially for common names, input additional demographic data. The optional fields include Middle Initial, Race, Age, and Sex. A search for a common name like “Charles Brown” will likely yield many results; adding an approximate age or a middle initial can reduce this list to a manageable number.
Execute the search. The system will return a list of individuals matching the criteria provided.
Search By Number
This is the most precise and efficient method for locating a specific individual, as it eliminates the ambiguity of common names. The system accepts four different types of identification numbers.
Navigate to the locator website and select the “Find By Number” option.
Choose the type of number being used from the dropdown menu.
Enter one of the following:
BOP Register Number: An eight-digit number assigned to every federal inmate. This is the most common and direct identifier.
DCDC Number: The D.C. Department of Corrections number.
FBI Number: The number assigned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
INS Number: The number assigned by the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (now part of the Department of Homeland Security) to non-U.S. citizens.
Execute the search. If the number is correct and the individual is in the database, the search will return a single, exact match.
Important Limitations and Disclaimers
When using the BOP Inmate Locator, be aware of two key limitations that affect the data’s scope and timeliness.
Impact of the First Step Act
The BOP website includes a prominent disclaimer regarding the First Step Act. This legislation has resulted in ongoing reviews and recalculations of inmate sentences. Consequently, an inmate’s listed release date may not be the most current information available. The BOP advises users to check back periodically for any updates or changes.
The 1982 Database Cutoff
The online locator’s records begin in 1982. It contains information about federal inmates incarcerated from that year to the present. Information on individuals who were released from federal custody before 1982 is not available in this database and must be sought through a different process involving the National Archives and Records Administration.
Understanding Search Results
A successful search in the BOP Inmate Locator returns a data sheet with specific fields. Each piece of information has a precise meaning within the correctional system and is vital for understanding an inmate’s status and for any subsequent interactions.
Decoding the Inmate Data Sheet
The information provided is based on official records and is crucial for positive identification and communication.
Name, Age, Race, Sex: These are the basic demographic identifiers for the individual. The age listed is the inmate’s current age, calculated from their date of birth, not their age at the time of incarceration or release.
BOP Register Number: This is the most critical piece of information returned by the search. It functions as the inmate’s “Social Security Number” within the federal prison system. This unique, eight-digit number is assigned to every inmate for tracking, accountability, and administrative purposes.
Its structure typically consists of a five-digit number unique to the inmate, followed by a three-digit suffix that identifies the federal court district where the inmate was sentenced (e.g., 12345-058). Obtaining and safeguarding this number is paramount, as it is required for nearly all interactions with the BOP, including sending money, mailing letters, and scheduling visits.
Location Status Explained
This field indicates the inmate’s current physical location or custodial status. It can display several different values, each with a specific meaning:
Facility Name: If a specific institution is named (e.g., “FCI Elkton”), the inmate is currently housed at that location.
“IN TRANSIT”: This status means the inmate has been moved from a BOP facility. They may or may not be returned. A common reason for this status is when a pretrial inmate is temporarily transferred into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service for court appearances.
“RELEASED” / “Not in BOP Custody”: This status is frequently misunderstood. It signifies that the individual is no longer in the physical custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. However, it does not necessarily mean the person is free. They could be on parole, under supervised release, or may have been transferred to the custody of a state or local correctional system to serve another sentence. This status should be seen as a signal that if the person is not known to be free, a new search should be initiated in state or local systems.
Community Corrections Management (CCM): This indicates that the inmate has been placed in a residential reentry center, commonly known as a “halfway house.” The location listed is the administrative office, not the physical address of the halfway house itself.
The Projected Release Date
This is an estimated date and is subject to change. It is not a guaranteed release date. Several factors can alter this date, making it a dynamic piece of information:
Good Conduct Time (GCT): Inmates can earn time off their sentence for good behavior.
Sentence Reduction Programs: Successful completion of certain programs, such as the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), can lead to an earlier release date.
First Step Act (FSA) Credits: As noted, the FSA allows inmates to earn Federal Time Credits (FTC) that can advance their release date. The BOP’s calculations for these credits are ongoing.
Disciplinary Infractions: New offenses or violations of prison rules committed while incarcerated can result in the loss of earned good time and push the release date back.
“UNKNOWN” Status: If the release date is listed as “UNKNOWN,” it typically means the inmate’s sentence term has not yet been finalized. This is common for individuals in pretrial detention, those who have not yet been sentenced, or those being held under a civil commitment.
When the Person Isn’t in the Federal System
A common reason for a failed search in the BOP Inmate Locator is a misunderstanding of the U.S. justice system. The United States does not have a single, unified correctional system; rather, it operates parallel systems at the federal, state, and local levels.
Federal vs. State vs. Local Systems
Knowing which system is responsible for an individual is essential for a successful search.
Federal Prisons: Operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), these facilities house individuals who have violated federal laws. Federal crimes often involve crossing state lines, offenses against the U.S. government, or activities regulated by federal statute. Examples include interstate drug trafficking, mail fraud, tax evasion, and certain white-collar crimes. Federal prisons are generally fewer in number than state prisons and tend to have more standardized rehabilitation programs.
State Prisons: Each of the 50 states operates its own Department of Corrections (DOC), which manages prisons for individuals convicted of violating state laws. The vast majority of incarcerated individuals in the U.S. are in state custody. State crimes include offenses like murder, assault, robbery, and burglary. Conditions, programs, and inmate search procedures vary significantly from one state to another.
Local Jails (County/City): These facilities are run by local governments, typically a county sheriff’s office or a city police department. Jails are primarily used for two purposes: holding individuals awaiting trial (pretrial detention) and housing those convicted of misdemeanors with short sentences, usually less than one year.
System Comparison Table
| Feature | Federal System | State System | Local System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing Body | U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) | State Department of Corrections (DOC) | County Sheriff or City Police Dept. |
| Typical Crimes | Interstate drug trafficking, mail fraud, tax evasion, crimes against the U.S. | Murder, assault, robbery, burglary, rape, most violent crimes | Misdemeanors, holding for trial |
| Typical Sentence Length | Varies; can be long, but many are for non-violent offenses | Over one year | Under one year |
| How to Find an Inmate | Centralized BOP Inmate Locator | Individual State DOC website | Individual County/City website |
| Key Characteristics | Standardized system, fewer facilities, often perceived as safer | Largest inmate population, systems vary widely by state | Short-term holding, high population turnover |
How to Find an Inmate in a State Prison
If a person is not found in the federal system, the next logical step is to search at the state level. There is no national database for all state prisons; each state maintains its own separate system.
The most reliable starting point is the USA.gov directory of state correctional agencies. This portal provides links to the official Department of Corrections website for each state.
State inmate locator tools vary in their design and requirements, reflecting the decentralized nature of state governance.
New York: The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) allows searches by name or, for a more precise result, by the individual’s Department Identification Number (DIN).
Pennsylvania: The Commonwealth’s “Inmate and Parolee Locator” functions similarly but warns users that they may need to disable their web browser’s pop-up blocker to use the database successfully.
Georgia: The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) provides an “Offender Search” tool but includes a legal disclaimer that the information should be independently verified for accuracy through written correspondence with Inmate Records.
California: To search for an inmate in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), users must first read and accept a legal disclaimer on the “California Incarcerated Records & Information Search” (CIRIS) portal before proceeding.
How to Find an Inmate in a County or City Jail
Searches for individuals in local custody are the most granular and require knowing the specific city or county where the person was arrested. The process involves finding the website for that jurisdiction’s law enforcement agency.
Use a search engine to find the official website for the “[County Name] Sheriff’s Office” or “[City Name] Police Department.”
Look for a link labeled “Inmate Search,” “Jail Roster,” or “Inmate Lookup.”
Like state systems, local search portals differ significantly.
Searching for Historical Records: Inmates Released Before 1982
The year 1982 marks a fundamental dividing line in federal inmate record-keeping. The BOP’s modern, computerized inmate management system was implemented around that time, and the online locator only contains data from that system forward.
This creates a digital divide: searching for a current inmate is a modern data lookup, while searching for someone released before 1982 is a historical, archival investigation.
Why Older Records Are at the National Archives
These older, pre-1982 records have not been destroyed. Instead, they are treated as permanent historical documents and are under the stewardship of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The records of the Bureau of Prisons are maintained by NARA as Record Group 129.
Any inquiry for an individual released from federal custody prior to 1982 must be directed to NARA, not the BOP.
How to Request Pre-1982 Records from NARA
Requesting historical records from NARA is a formal process and does not provide the instant results of an online search. To give archivists the best chance of locating a file, the request should be as detailed as possible. The BOP advises providing NARA with the following information:
- Inmate’s full name, including any middle name or initial
- Date of birth or an approximate age at the time of incarceration
- Race
- Approximate dates the individual was in prison
Requests for copies of records can be initiated through the NARA website.
What to Expect from NARA Records
NARA’s holdings in Record Group 129 consist primarily of the administrative records of the BOP, but they also include valuable inmate case files from some of the nation’s most famous and historic penitentiaries.
For historians, genealogists, and other researchers, these files can be a gateway to rich social history, offering more than just a name and number.
NARA has made some of these historical indexes and records accessible online, providing a glimpse into the depth of its collections:
- Alcatraz: An Alphabetical Index of Former Inmates of U.S. Penitentiary, Alcatraz, covering 1934-1963
- Atlanta Federal Penitentiary: A Name Index to Inmate Case Files from 1902 to 1921
- Leavenworth, Kansas: A Name Index to Inmate Case Files from the U.S. Penitentiary, covering 1895 to 1931
Communicating with and Supporting a Federal Inmate
Once an individual has been located in a federal facility, the next step for family and friends is often to establish communication and provide support. The BOP has highly structured and secure procedures for all interactions, from sending money to sending mail.
Every rule is rooted in the absolute priority of maintaining the safety and security of the institution, staff, and public. Understanding the security rationale behind these rules can help prevent common mistakes that lead to rejected mail or failed money transfers.
Sending Money: Funding an Inmate’s Commissary Account
Inmates have a trust fund account, commonly known as a commissary account, which they can use to purchase items not regularly issued by the institution, such as food, snacks, hygiene products, and stamps. The financial burden of funding this account falls on the inmate and their support network.
Funds are not sent directly to the prison where the inmate is housed but to a centralized BOP processing location.
There are three primary methods for sending money:
MoneyGram: This is an electronic transfer method. To use it, the sender must provide the Receive Code 7932 (for the Federal Bureau of Prisons) and an “Account Number” in a specific format: the inmate’s eight-digit BOP register number followed immediately by their last name (e.g., 12345678DOE). Transfers can be made online at MoneyGram’s website or at an agent location.
Western Union: The process is similar to MoneyGram. The sender designates the “Federal Bureau of Prisons” as the recipient and provides the inmate’s full name and eight-digit register number.
United States Postal Service (USPS) Money Order: A postal money order can be sent through the mail. It must be made payable to the inmate, including their full name and eight-digit register number. It should be mailed to the BOP’s central processing address in Washington, DC. The BOP does not accept personal checks, cash, or any other form of payment through the mail.
JPay: JPay is a service available for sending funds to inmates at select federal prisons. Users should check the JPay website to confirm if the specific facility is supported.
Important Tips for Sending Money
A person should always wait until an inmate has physically arrived at their designated BOP facility before attempting to send funds. Sending money while an inmate is in transit can cause significant delays or rejection.
To save on transaction fees, it is often more economical to send fewer, larger transfers rather than multiple small ones. The maximum amount that can be sent in a single transaction is $300.
Sending Mail and Packages: Rules of Correspondence
The BOP encourages written correspondence to help inmates maintain community ties. However, all mail is subject to strict rules to prevent the introduction of contraband.
The correct addressing format is essential for delivery:
INMATE NAME and REGISTER NUMBER
INSTITUTION NAME
P.O. BOX or STREET ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
There are two categories of mail:
General Correspondence: This includes personal letters, photos, and greeting cards. All incoming general mail is opened and inspected by staff for both physical contraband and prohibited content.
Special Mail: This category is reserved for privileged communication, primarily with attorneys and courts. To qualify, the envelope must be clearly marked “Special Mail – Open Only in the Presence of the Inmate.” This mail is opened in the inmate’s presence and inspected for physical contraband, but the contents are not read by staff.
Key Prohibitions and Limitations
Prohibited Items: Senders may not include stamps, blank paper or envelopes, cash, personal checks, or any form of contraband.
Photographs: There are often limits on the quantity of photos that can be sent (e.g., up to 25 per day at some facilities). Polaroid photos are universally prohibited because contraband can be hidden in the thick backing. Photos may not be sexually explicit or gang-related.
Greeting Cards: Standard, non-musical greeting cards are generally allowed. However, cards with glitter, stickers, ribbons, or other attachments are often rejected because they can be difficult to inspect thoroughly.
Books and Publications: Inmates may receive paperback books, magazines, and newspapers, but these items must be mailed directly from the publisher or an approved commercial vendor like Amazon.com. This rule is a security measure to ensure the items have not been tampered with. Hardcover books are typically only allowed if sent from a publisher.
Packages: Inmates are not permitted to receive packages from home without obtaining prior written approval from their unit team. Approved packages are almost exclusively for release clothing or authorized medical devices.
Phone Calls: The Inmate-Initiated System
Maintaining contact via telephone is possible, but the system is highly controlled. Inmates can only make outgoing calls; they cannot receive incoming calls.
Process
An inmate must create an approved telephone list, which can contain up to 30 numbers. The BOP may contact the individuals on this list to verify that they agree to receive calls.
Rules and Limitations
Call Duration: Calls are typically limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.
Monthly Limit: Inmates are generally allotted 300 minutes of phone time per month, with some additional time often provided during November and December.
Monitoring: With the exception of pre-arranged, unmonitored calls to legal counsel, all inmate phone calls are recorded and subject to monitoring by BOP staff. A notice is placed on inmate telephones to this effect.
Cost: The cost of phone calls is deducted from the inmate’s commissary account. Inmates are responsible for managing their funds to cover these expenses.
Email: The TRULINCS / Corrlinks System
Federal inmates have access to a secure, closed-loop electronic messaging system. This is not traditional internet email; it is a proprietary platform designed for security and monitoring.
The System
Inmates use computer kiosks within their facility running a program called the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS). Their outside contacts use a public-facing website called Corrlinks.com to send and receive messages.
Initiation Process
Communication must be initiated by the inmate. The inmate adds a person’s email address to their approved contact list (limited to 30 contacts). The Corrlinks system then sends an automated invitation to that email address. The recipient must follow the link and create a free account on Corrlinks.com to be able to communicate.
Key Features and Limitations
Cost: While the service is free for outside contacts, inmates are charged a per-minute fee (e.g., 5 cents per minute) to compose, read, and manage messages. This cost is deducted from their commissary account.
Message Constraints: Messages are text-only and are limited to 13,000 characters. No attachments, photos, or formatted text (bold, italics, etc.) are permitted.
Monitoring: All messages are screened by BOP staff for content that could jeopardize the security of the institution or the public.
VINE Notification System for Victims
While the BOP Inmate Locator provides public, point-in-time information, a separate service exists specifically to provide ongoing, protective notifications for victims of crime.
What is VINE?
The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) service is a free, confidential, and automated system that alerts registered users about changes in an offender’s custody status.
The service was created in direct response to the 1993 murder of Mary Byron, who was killed by a former partner after he was released from a local jail without her knowledge. VINE’s core mission is to empower victims with timely information, providing a measure of security and peace of mind.
It represents a different philosophy of information dissemination than the BOP locator: where the locator provides passive transparency to the public, VINE provides active, targeted notification for safety.
How VINE Works and Registration
VINE integrates with correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies across the country to provide near real-time updates. Users can register to receive these updates automatically via their choice of method: phone call, email, text message (SMS), or a TTY device for the hearing impaired.
The general registration process is:
Navigate to the national VINE portal.
Select the state where the offender is in custody.
Search for the offender using their name or inmate ID number.
Once the correct individual is found, click the option to register for notifications.
Provide the necessary contact information (e.g., phone number, email address), choose a preferred notification method, and create a PIN.
A mobile app, VINEMobile, is also available for convenient access and registration.
Understanding VINE’s Scope and Limitations
VINE is a powerful tool, but it is essential to understand its capabilities and limitations.
Notification Triggers: A VINE notification is typically triggered by a change in an offender’s custody status, such as a release, transfer to another facility, escape, or death.
Jurisdictional Variations: While VINE has a national portal, the underlying data and notification rules are managed at the state and local levels. This “patchwork” nature means that coverage and features can vary. For example, the VINE system in Oklahoma does not provide notifications for parole hearings; victims must register separately with the Pardon and Parole Board for that information. Similarly, Texas has transitioned to its own integrated system, IVSS, which has taken over VINE’s functions in that state.
Specialized Systems: In addition to state and local offenders, a specialized version of VINE exists for federal immigration cases. The Department of Homeland Security Victim Information Notification Exchange (DHS-VINE) allows victims and witnesses to track the custody status of aliens in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention.
Critical Safety Warning: All VINE providers emphasize a crucial point: the service is an informational tool, not a guarantee of safety. Victims and other concerned individuals should never rely solely on VINE for their protection and should always have a personal safety plan in place.
The federal inmate search process can seem complex, but understanding the different systems and tools available makes it manageable. Whether searching for current inmates through the BOP Locator, historical records through NARA, or setting up protective notifications through VINE, each system serves specific needs within the broader framework of public safety and transparency.
For those seeking to locate federal inmates, the BOP Inmate Locator remains the authoritative starting point. When searches there come up empty, understanding the jurisdictional differences between federal, state, and local systems can guide the next steps. For victims seeking ongoing protection, VINE provides an additional layer of security through automated notifications.
These systems represent the balance between public access to information and the security requirements of correctional facilities. While procedures may seem restrictive, they exist to protect the safety of inmates, staff, visitors, and the broader community.
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