New Jersey Inmate Search

Sharing inmate records with the public is essential to fostering transparency within government agencies. The agencies also have a responsibility, per the freedom of information act, to make inmate records accessible to the public. The search process is straightforward; you only need enough details on an inmate to start the search. Results from the search will show the inmate's name, gender, race, location, physical description, charges, sentence, and possible release date.  

The New Jersey penal system is divided into federal, state, and county facilities. The federal government operates four federal prisons through the federal bureau of prisons. The state also has nine state prisons and 19 jails. 

Here are four ways one can search for an inmate in New Jersey. 

Inmate Search in State Facilities

When searching for an inmate in a state facility, the most reliable source of inmate data is the New Jersey department of corrections. The records are available on the New Jersey DOC's website, which includes a search tool that utilizes the inmate's name and DOC number. The name search can use the inmate's full or partial name. Partial names provide a list of inmates with identical names from which one has to choose the specific inmate. 

The results show the inmate's name, age, race, height, weight, and gender. Additional information from the search includes the inmate's sentencing information by the title of the statute under which the inmate was convicted. 

Due to the rapid changes in the information, one can contact the records office at 609-292-4036 to verify the data. 

Inmate Search in County Jails 

If an inmate is in a county jail, the county sheriff's office or the clerk's office will help you acquire their information. Each jail is managed by the sheriff's office, which has jurisdiction over that county. Most county sheriff's offices offer the information online and through the phone. Visit the county sheriff's office website responsible for the jail and look for an inmate list on their website. The list will show the inmate's biographical information and their sentencing information.  

If the sheriff's website does not have an online inmate list, visit or call their offices and request access to the inmate records. You will be required to provide the inmate's name and date of birth. 

Inmate Search in Federal Prisons 

As mentioned above, the Federal Bureau of Prisons operates four facilities in New Jersey. To view inmate records from a federal prison, go to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. On the homepage, a search tool allows you to search by name and BOP number. If the BOP number is unknown, you can conduct a name search using additional information such as the inmate's race, age, gender, and date of birth. 

Inmate Search Using Vine Link 

Vine is also useful for tracking inmates in federal, state, and county facilities. Vine receives inmate information in real-time through an integrated system with jails and prisons across the United States. The data is available on their website or through their mobile app. Vine sends you an email with the inmate's current incarceration status and keeps you informed of any changes in the inmate's status.