Indiana Inmate Search

Indiana Inmate Search is a critical process that involves looking up information on offenders incarcerated in the state's correctional facilities. This search is crucial for several reasons, including locating an inmate, verifying the status of an inmate, and obtaining information about the inmate's conviction history.

The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) maintains a comprehensive database of inmates incarcerated in the state's prisons. This database contains critical information about each inmate, including their name, ID number, location, conviction history, and release date.

Anyone can access this database online. This easy access to inmate information is essential for individuals and organizations seeking to stay informed about the status of an inmate.

This search also plays a vital role in rehabilitating and reintegrating offenders into society. By providing access to information about an inmate's location and release date, families and loved ones can plan for the inmate's return and assist in their transition back into society.

Furthermore, inmate search in Indiana is crucial for law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement officials can coordinate their efforts to apprehend fugitives and prevent further criminal activity by providing information on inmates' whereabouts.

Despite its many benefits, inmate search in Indiana can pose some challenges. The completeness and correctness of the information in the database depend on several factors, including the timeliness and accuracy of the data provided by correctional facilities.

Additionally, there are limitations to the information that you can obtain through the process. These limitations include privacy concerns, limited search criteria, risk of discrimination, misuse of information, and technological issues.

What Are Indiana Inmate Records?

Indiana Inmate Records contain vital information on inmates' criminal history, sentencing, and behavior while incarcerated, in addition to personal and administrative data.

Examining inmates' records is the only way to obtain a complete and comprehensive understanding of their history and circumstances, rather than just conducting an Indiana Inmate Search.

Here's an overview of materials and information that you can access when you request an inmate record in Indiana:

The inmate's full name, gender, date of birth, race, and other identifying information
The inmate's conviction, including the nature of the crime, the conviction date, and the sentence imposed
The inmate's current incarceration, including their housing facility, their inmate number, their custody status, and their expected release date
The inmate's sentence, including duration, conditions, and time served
The inmate's parole or probation status, including the terms and conditions of their release
Arrest information, such as the arrest date and location and the arresting agency
The inmate's court proceedings, including the date and place of their trial, the verdict, and other legal actions taken
Mugshot
Fingerprints
DNA samples
Evidence such as audio and video recordings
Police reports

Although inmate records in Indiana are publicly available under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA), there are restrictions on who can access them and how they can be used. Indiana may restrict access to certain information, such as medical records and confidential communications between inmates and their attorneys.

Moreover, Indiana law prohibits using inmate records for commercial purposes or to harass, intimidate, or threaten individuals.

To request Indiana Inmate Records, individuals must have specific information about the inmate, such as their full name and date of birth. In some cases, there may be a fee associated with obtaining inmate records in Indiana, mainly if the request requires extensive research or reproduction costs.

What Are Indiana Prison and Jail Records?

Correctional facilities in Indiana are institutions responsible for the custody, supervision, and rehabilitation of individuals convicted of crimes. Indiana's penal system includes a range of facilities that serve different purposes. It mainly consists of state prisons and county jails.

State prisons are long-term incarceration facilities operated by the IDOC. These facilities house inmates sentenced to a year or more in prison.

On the other hand, county jails are short-term incarceration facilities typically operated by county sheriffs. These facilities hold individuals arrested and awaiting trial or sentencing.

In Indiana, 0.38% of the inmate population is under correctional control, with around 108,300 individuals on probation and about 8,380 on parole. Approximately 10,150 individuals are released annually, but the number of people incarcerated yearly is 1.0 times higher.

In terms of offenses, most inmates in Indiana are non-violent offenders, accounting for 82% of the prison population. Thus, 18% of the inmates are violent offenders.

Most prison inmates in Indiana are male, accounting for 91% of the total population, while females make up the remaining 9%.

Between 1979-1980 and 2012-2013, state and local government expenditures on corrections in Indiana increased significantly by 259%, from $273.6M to $982.5M.

However, there has been a decrease in the Indiana prison population between 2007 and 2016, with a decline of 6%. This decrease may be attributed to changes in sentencing policies and the implementation of alternative programs for non-violent offenders.

In conclusion, while the percentage of people under correctional control in Indiana is relatively low, the cost of corrections has increased significantly over the past few decades. Despite this increase, recent years have seen a decrease in the prison population, possibly indicating a shift toward alternative sentencing and rehabilitation programs.

What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in Indiana?

Indiana's correctional system is intricate, comprising multiple prisons and jails like several other states. It is essential to comprehend Indiana's different kinds of correctional facilities for those involved in the criminal justice system and those conducting an inmate search in Indiana.

In this regard, a breakdown of Indiana's various correctional facilities is provided below:

Indiana State Prisons

Indiana state prisons, managed by the IDOC, have different security levels, ranging from maximum-security facilities for the most violent offenders to medium-security facilities for offenders with a lower risk of violence.

The individuals incarcerated in Indiana state prisons have been convicted of numerous crimes, from non-violent offenses such as drug possession to violent crimes such as murder or aggravated assault. The violations committed by the inmates vary greatly and can also include robbery, burglary, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other serious crimes.

The state prisons provide a variety of programs and services to offenders, including educational classes, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services, to help prepare them for their release back into society.

As of 2023, there are 18 adult state prisons in Indiana, and these are the following:

Indiana County Jails

County jails in Indiana are facilities where recently arrested individuals are held while they await their initial hearing, trial, or sentencing for a short-term jail sentence.

The IDOC oversees the operation of county jails in Indiana. It sets standards for the management and operation of county jails and inspects and monitors their compliance with these standards.

Additionally, each county has a sheriff responsible for the county jail's operation within their jurisdiction. The sheriff is responsible for the jail's safety and security, the inmates' welfare, and the jail personnel's management. The sheriff also ensures the jail complies with state and federal regulations.

Overall, the IDOC and county sheriffs work together to ensure that county jails in Indiana operate safely, securely, and humanely while providing rehabilitation and re-entry services to inmates to reduce recidivism.

With 92 counties in Indiana, most have their own Sheriff's Office with jurisdiction over all the towns within the county. While there is no centralized list of county jails in the state, you can contact the IDOC or use this directory for a complete listing.

Indiana Federal Prisons

Indiana federal prisons are part of the federal prison system and house inmates convicted of federal crimes and sentenced to serve time in federal prison.

Indiana is home to the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex (FCC), a facility managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP). The complex has two separate facilities, the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Terre Haute and the United States Penitentiary (USP) Terre Haute.

FCI Terre Haute is classified as a medium-security facility and houses around 1,300 male inmates. Meanwhile, USP Terre Haute is a maximum-security prison holding about 1,360 male inmates. Both facilities are responsible for ensuring their inmates' safe and secure housing.

In addition to providing secure housing, these facilities offer several programs and services designed to support the rehabilitation and re-entry of their inmates into society.

Indiana Juvenile Detention Centers

Indiana juvenile detention centers are facilities designed to house minors charged with a crime and awaiting court proceedings or serving a sentence. The Division of Youth Services (DYS) of the IDOC manages these centers.

These facilities provide a safe and secure environment for juvenile offenders while providing education, counseling, and other services to help them rehabilitate and reintegrate into their communities.

The goal is to address the underlying issues that led to the juvenile's involvement in the justice system and equip them with the skills and resources they need to make positive changes in their lives.

As of 2023, there are 19 juvenile detention centers in Indiana, with 16 operated by counties and the other three operated privately.

How To Perform Inmate Search in Indiana?

There are several ways for the public to initiate an inmate search within Indiana's adult correctional and work-release facilities.

For a more direct approach, you can use the Indiana Inmate Search tool of the IDOC, called the "Incarcerated Search." Simply enter the inmate's last name or both first and last names into the search tool. You can also search for an inmate using their Offender or DOC Number. This database provides non-confidential records of IDOC inmates or offenders in state prisons.

Alternatively, you can request IDOC non-confidential offender records by sending a written request by mail to the IDOC office located at 302 West Washington Street, Room E-334, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

If the inmate is in a federal prison, conduct a federal inmate search using the inmate locator tool provided by the FBOP website. This search lets you retrieve an inmate's full name, register number, age, race, sex, release date/life sentence, and location.

For inmates incarcerated in county jails, some Sheriff's Offices, like in Hamilton and Delaware counties, provide inmate locator tools or publish updated jail rosters of current inmates online. You can also contact the county Sheriff's Office or county jail directly to inquire about an inmate's location or custody status.

Lastly, contacting the DYS is best for finding a youth offender in an Indiana juvenile detention facility. However, it's important to note that juvenile records are typically unavailable to the public, meaning that locating an Indiana inmate in a juvenile detention center may only be possible for immediate family, friends, or legal counsel.

How To Contact an Inmate in Indiana?

Maintaining a relationship with an incarcerated loved one is essential for both parties.

Indiana convicts may receive mail from anybody except fellow inmates.

The correctional officer checks and examines incoming mail to prevent contraband from entering the facility.

Letters and envelopes must not have staples, stickers, perfume, lipstick, or other decorations. Furthermore, do not include symbols, codes, or maps on the letters.

Inmates in Indiana can receive 4"x6" photos in size if they do not feature nudity or depict illicit behavior. Moreover, Polaroid photographs are prohibited since they constitute a security risk.

When mailing to an inmate, format it correctly. Include the inmate's full name, ID or DOC number, facility name, housing location, street address or PO box, city, state, and zip code on the letter and envelope.

You can verify an offender's DOC number and location through the Indiana Inmate Search tool. For IDOC correctional facility addresses, consult this page.

In addition to receiving mail, inmates in Indiana may make collect calls and prepaid collect calls via a third-party provider but cannot receive calls.

Global Tel* Link (GTL) is the network extender in Indiana. You can set up an account through their website or by dialing 1-800-483-8314. GTL/ConnectNetwork charges for all calls, but using a local number will lower your inmate phone expenses.

The methods mentioned above apply only to facilities under the IDOC, such as state prisons and juvenile detention centers. If you need to contact a federal or county jail inmate, contact the relevant agency or facility, or check their website for information on the communication options available.

How To Visit an Inmate in Indiana?

If you plan to visit an inmate in Indiana state prisons or juvenile correctional facilities, follow the correct procedure to ensure a smooth visitation process.

The first step in visiting an inmate in IDOC facilities is to ensure you are on their approved visitor's list. To include yourself in an inmate's approved list of visitors, complete and submit this visitation application form to the offender's facility.

You can also request a copy of the appropriate or updated application form from the inmate you wish to visit. If you plan to bring a minor, they must also complete a separate application form.

Once you complete the visitation application, you must send it to the appropriate IDOC facility. Double-check the address and include all required documents, such as a valid photo ID. After the facility has reviewed and approved your application, you'll receive a notification of your visitation privileges.

While the IDOC provides visitation rules, each facility has its visiting hours. Thus, checking the housing facility is crucial for their visiting days and times. Ensure you plan your visit during the designated visiting hours to avoid complications.

In addition to traditional visitation, the IDOC offers video visitation through GTL. Register for this service online or through the GTL - Schedule Visits app before scheduling a video visit with an inmate.

You can schedule a 10-minute or 25-minute video visit for a fee for this visitation type. As the duration of the visit increases, so do the corresponding charges. This alternative can be convenient if you cannot visit the facility in person.

County jails and federal prisons have separate visitation rules, regulations, and schedules. If you wish to visit an inmate in these correctional facilities, you should first check the jail or prison website to find visitation information for the facility.

How To Send Money to an Inmate in Indiana?

Sending money to an inmate in Indiana can be challenging, especially for someone unfamiliar with the prison system. However, with the assistance of GTL, a third-party payment processor that provides fund transfer services, sending money to an inmate becomes more convenient and accessible.

Here are the ways how you can send money to an inmate in Indiana:

Sending Money Orders by Mail to a GTL Address

One of the ways to send money to an inmate in Indiana is through a money order sent by mail to a GTL address. To do this, you must complete a deposit slip and make the money order payable to "GTL Financial Services."

The money order must not exceed $300, and you must provide the inmate's full name and Offender ID or DOC number verified through the Indiana Inmate Search tool, "Incarcerated Search."

Send the completed deposit slip and money order to the GTL Financial Services mailing address provided in the form.

Making Online Funds Transfer through ConnectNetwork

Aside from sending money orders, you can send money to an IDOC inmate through GTL's online fund transfer service, ConnectNetwork. To use this service, you must visit the IDOC page on GTL's website and sign up for an account. IDOC maintains six accounts for each inmate in its correctional facilities, and once you set up your account, you can send money to any of them.

These accounts include AdvancePay Phone, Messaging, Pin Debit, Trust Fund, Video Visitation, and Debit Link.

Making a Fund Transfer by Calling GTL's Toll-Free Lines

GTL also offers toll-free phone numbers for each of the six accounts for those who wish to make payments via phone. To send funds to an inmate's Pin Debit account, dial (855) 706-2445. For an AdvancePay account, contact (800) 483-8314. If you want to send money to an inmate's Trust account, call (888) 988-4768.

Transferring Funds through Mobile App

Finally, for those who prefer mobile devices, GTL has developed mobile apps for iPhones and Android phones that you can download for free. These apps allow users to send money to inmates in IDOC facilities.

These multiple options only apply to IDOC facilities (state prisons and juvenile detention centers). To find out the payment methods supported by a particular county jail or federal prison, visit the facility's website or contact them.

Counties in Indiana

List of Content

What Are Indiana Inmate Records?
What Are Indiana Prison and Jail Records?
1. What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in Indiana?
How To Perform Inmate Search in Indiana?
How To Contact an Inmate in Indiana?
How To Visit an Inmate in Indiana?
How To Send Money to an Inmate in Indiana?