Nebraska Inmate Search

Incarceration is disheartening, especially for family and friends. After the judge makes a final ruling and bangs the gavel, loved ones may want to know where the inmate is taken. An inmate search shows the arrest records, sentencing information, and incarceration records. Figuring out this information might seem strenuous, but the process is fairly simple. Government bodies freely provide information as mandated by the Freedom of Information Act.  

What is needed for the search? 

When searching for an inmate, there are several details that one must have for a successful search. The most important ones include the inmate's first and last name. Without the name, you will likely have a more challenging time finding them. Additional information, such as the inmate's nickname, race, gender, date of birth, and physical description, may also aid in locating the inmate. You can also include the inmate's number, which is more accurate since no two inmates have the same number.   

Where to look for an Inmate? 

Knowing where to search is also important because different entities provide the information. Nebraska inmates are housed in state prisons or county jails. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services provides information on inmates in state prisons, and county sheriffs provide information on inmates in county jails. County jails house inmates with short sentences of less than a year, while state prisons house inmates with long sentences of more than one year. There are nine state prisons and 63 county jails in Nebraska.  

How to Search for an Inmate? 

As mentioned above, inmate records are provided by different government bodies depending on the kind of facility housing the inmate. This section will discuss how one can access information from state prisons and county jails.  

State Prisons 

To access inmate records from state prisons, search online or use the DOC's information line ((402) 471-2654). An online search is more convenient since the information line only works during business hours. Visit the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services online and look for an offender search function. The search function has two fields. One uses the inmate's DOC number, and the second uses the inmate's name. The number search provides accurate results. However, if the inmate's number is unknown, you can use their name or a partial name. The name search shows a list of inmates with the same name. To filter the results, use the mugshot images to identify the specific inmate. Additional information from the search includes the inmate's name, aliases, age, gender, date of birth, race, offense, and release date. 

County Jails 

To locate an inmate in a county jail, focus your search on the county sheriff's office or the county court clerk. Most county sheriffs provide the information online. Check the sheriff's website for an inmate roster. Scroll through the list or search using the inmate's name. If the sheriff's website does not have the information, use a third-party website to search for the inmate. Third-party sites are privately owned and might charge a fee for the services. 

Alternatively, contact the sheriff's office or the county court clerk by phone and request access to the information.