Montana Inmate Search

In Montana, inmate records are public records thanks to the freedom of information act. The records include a person's criminal history from when they are arrested to when they get out of jail/prison. In this article, we shall look at the following: 

• Useful search tips 
• Where to search for an inmate 
• Where else can one search for an inmate?  

Useful Search Tips 

When searching for a specific inmate, one should have some important details. These details will help make the search easier and faster. They include the following. 

• The inmate's name 
• DOC number 
• Date of birth 
• Sex and gender 
• Race 

Ensure you have some of these details to run a successful search. Sometimes the search could allow you to use an estimated age or a partial first name. Another important detail that one should know is the kind of facility housing the inmate. If one was charged with a misdemeanor offense, they are likely to be held in county jails, and if the charge were a felony, they would likely be in a state prison.  

Where to Search for an Inmate 

Inmate records are maintained by different bodies depending on the kind of facility. The Montana Department of Corrections is in charge of inmate records in state prisons, while the county sheriffs are in charge of records in county jails. 

So, where can one find inmate records from these bodies? 

An Inmate Locator 

An inmate locator is a search tool designed by the Montana Department of Corrections to provide the public with inmate records from state prisons. The search tool can be found on the department's website. To search, use the inmate's name and DOC number. You can use the last and first names if the DOC number is unknown. The results may include other inmates with similar names. Use other details such as race, age, gender, and date of birth to filter the results.  

Jail Rosters 

A jail roster/list is another platform county sheriffs use to provide the public with inmate information. The roster contains all inmates housed in a particular jail. The roster can be on the sheriff's website or at the sheriff's physical location. The number of inmates in county jails is small, making it possible to scroll through the list when searching for an inmate. However, some online rosters have a search function that allows one to use the inmate's name and date of birth for the search. The information under each inmate's name includes the name, race, age, gender, booking date, mugshot image, charges, bail amounts, and release date. 

To access the manual list, visit the sheriff's office and request the information. 

Where Else Can One Search for an Inmate? 

Other than the Montana department of corrections and the county sheriffs, where else can one access inmate records? Other websites also offer the information for free. The most reliable site is www.vinelink.com. Vine link is a notification service that provides victims and relatives with real-time information. Vine acquires information from prisons and jails as soon as it is entered and sends it through text or email to its registered members. Vine is a very useful tool for keeping track of any change in an inmate's status. These changes could include the following. 

• Inmate release 
• Dropped charges 
• Inmate transfer 
• Inmate release on probation or parole 
• Escapes