Popular Third-Party Websites You Can Use To Look Up an Inmate
When your loved one is incarcerated, it can be difficult to keep track of their whereabouts. It’s even more complicated if you don’t know the exact jurisdiction of their incarceration. But what if there was a way that makes the lookup process easy?
Inmate search websites are a valuable resource for staying informed about an inmate’s location, release date, and other important information. They also provide information about an inmate’s court dates.
Various websites offer these lookup services, depending on the jurisdiction. For instance, at the state level, the Department of Corrections runs the inmate search website of the particular state.
For instance, if you are in Alabama, you will have to perform the inmate search via the Alabama Department of Corrections. On the other hand, the Federal Bureau of Prisons runs the inmate lookup tool for federal inmates.
There are also third-party websites that offer inmate lookup services. Some are free, while others charge service fees.
A Deeper Look on Why You Need Inmate Lookup Websites
You may need to use an inmate lookup website for several reasons, including the following:
Understanding the Charges and Sentence
Through inmate search sites, you can learn about why your loved one is in jail/prison and the duration of the sentence. This includes information on the specific laws they violated and the severity of the crime. As a result, you better understand the nature of the crime, which will help you decide the next course of action.
To Communicate with Your Loved One
Correctional facilities allow inmates and their loved ones to maintain contact, which is beneficial for successful rehabilitation. The inmate lookup websites will let you know where your loved one is, allowing you to understand the particular facility’s rules regarding mail exchange and phone calls.
If your loved one is in the Federal Bureau of Prison’s custody, follow this link for more information about mail exchange and phone calls.
Keeping Track Of an Inmate’s Whereabouts
Without the inmate lookup websites, finding a specific person would be practically impossible. For instance, a Prison Policy study shows that there are almost 2 million inmates in over 1600 state and federal prisons.
Knowing the exact location of an inmate allows you to plan activities like visitations and mail exchanges.
What are the General Visitation Guidelines?
Inmate visitation guidelines vary from facility to facility. However, there are some general rules that you can pay attention to. For starters, you can only access most prisons if you’re on the inmate’s approved visitation list. If you want your name to be on the list, you must contact the particular facility or ask the inmate directly via mail.
Further, contraband is prohibited in correctional facilities. The particular definition of contraband varies, depending on the prison. For instance, photographs are illegal in some facilities, while in others, they’re accepted.
Whichever the case, all facilities will require you to cooperate with frisks and searches; failure to do so will result in entry denial. Usually, these searches happen at the particular facility’s entrance.
You need to visit the particular prison’s website or call the office for inquiries regarding visitation times. For federal inmates, you can learn about the guidelines here.
Other standard visitation rules include the following:
- Appropriate Dress Code
- Valid Photo Identification Documents: You must present a valid ID, passport, driver’s license, or military ID.
- Adults Must accompany Children
Third-Party Inmate Lookup Websites
The Freedom of Information Act classifies offender data under public information. As a result, any person or agency has the right to access and share the information with other public members. This is where third-party websites come in.
They are online platforms that provide information about inmates in correctional facilities across the United States. The difference between these sites and the other is that they have no affiliation with the government or any specific correctional facility.
Below are some of the popular third-party websites you can use:
VINELink
You can access the VINELink website via this link. It’s a third-party website under the National Victim Notification Network’s management with a primary goal of helping victims know the incarceration statuses of offenders.
To be part of the program, call the service providers at 1-888-268-8463 or visit the website for online registration. During the process, you’ll choose the mode via which you’ll receive the updates: calls, emails, or text messages.
The updates include the following offender information:
- Court Date Information
- Change in Incarceration Status
- Prison Escapes
- Parole Eligibility
- Sentencing Information
This tool is also accessible to other public members for inmate search purposes. You just have to visit the website and choose the state of interest. Then, you will have the option of locating the offender based on their name, ID number, or case number. This is the most reliable third-party site when it comes to inmate search.
PrisonRoster
The PrisonRoster website allows you to search for inmates in various correctional facilities, including federal and state prisons, as well as county jails. Additionally, you can access an inmate’s arrest and criminal records through the website.
During the search process, you must provide your loved one’s first and last names. Then, you will have the option to narrow the results to a particular state. However, if you don’t know the exact location of your loved one, a general search across all states will suffice.
Inmate101.com
Inmate101.com is another third-party website that focuses on jail or prison inmates. It provides information about arrests and incarceration data, and the website’s user-friendly interface makes it possible.
The offender’s name is the primary search option, but you can narrow the results based on the state and county of interest.
A successful inmate search via Inmate101.com will give the following information:
- Inmate’s Name
- Location and Incarceration Facility
- Mugshots
- Crimes Committed
- Parole Eligibility
- Potential Release Date
PrisonFinder
PrisonFinder website provides information on federal, state and county inmates across the US. It has an easy-to-use interface, which lists all states on the homepage, so you can just click on the state of choice.
However, unlike other third-party websites, the Inmate Locator offers links to respective DOC or federal inmate search websites. It can be an essential and reliable tool if you often have difficulty locating official search sites.
Comparison between Third-Party Inmate Search Websites and Official Websites
Now that you’ve understood the different third-party websites, it’s time to compare and contrast what they offer and the services of official inmate locator sites. There are key differences between the two that you must consider:
Information’s Accuracy Level
The accuracy and timeliness of information provided by the websites vary greatly. Usually, government-run websites are the most accurate as they have first-hand information. Additionally, they update the data regularly, and if you find some unclear info, you’ll have access to contact details for direct inquiries.
Third-party websites, on the other hand, gather information from public records and may not always have the most current information. The timeliness of their updates is also questionable.
Type of Information Available
Through government-run websites, you’ll access basic information about the inmate and incarceration details. On the other hand, third-party websites may provide more detailed information, such as arrest records, criminal records, and background checks. Some third-party websites, like JailBase, offer additional features like notification services.
Some Third-Party Sites Charge a Fee
Unlike government websites, some third-party sites may require you to pay a fee for their services. These fees can vary depending on the website and the type of information you need. For instance, some sites require you to pay a one-time fee for a single inmate search, while others may charge a monthly or annual subscription fee.
While these fees may be a disadvantage, you should consider that the information you’ll access is more detailed. Additionally, the sites have additional features like bail bond services and attorney referral services.
The best you can do is compare the costs of various sites with the value of the information they provide and choose the most viable option.
How to Effectively Use Third-Party Sites
While third-party websites may have their disadvantages, there are several ways you can use them effectively. These strategies include:
Information Verification
Verifying information with the particular facility is crucial before you rely on the data or undertake any transactions. You can get the facility’s contact details online, and the staff members are always ready to help. However, ensure you call during regular business hours.
Checking Multiple Websites
Different websites may have different information about the same inmate. So, checking multiple websites will give you a complete picture of the inmate’s charges, sentence, and location. If the information is still unreliable, you cross-check via official government sites.
Using the Correct Spelling of the Inmate’s Name
Inmate lookup websites, including third-party sites, rely on the information you provide to generate results. If you misspell the name or give the wrong ID/Case numbers, the search results will return incorrect information or may not generate any results.
Other times, the search engine will give information about another inmate with a similar name, which can be frustrating. Luckily, if you’re unsure of the exact name, some websites like VINELink allow you to search using the offender’s aliases.
Being Aware of Privacy Policies
Privacy policies refer to how websites collect, use, and share personal information. You must review the website’s privacy policies when using third-party sites to know how secure your data is. You also must avoid sites that ask for sensitive data like social security information.
Using the Additional Features
Websites use additional features to optimize the overall user experience. Some third-party websites have the following features:
- Inmate Search Filters: Many inmate lookup websites allow you to narrow your search results by specifying certain criteria. For instance, some require you to input the inmate’s first and last name, while others require you to provide the booking number. Using these tools will fasten the search process.
- Locator Maps: Some sites have maps that give the location of the particular correctional facility. Using the maps will help you easily access the inmate’s location during visitations or when making inquiries.
