Search Indiana Released Inmates
Indiana released inmates records are available through several official state and county sources. The Indiana Department of Correction runs a free offender locator for state prison inmates, while county sheriffs maintain their own jail rosters across all 92 Indiana counties. Whether you are looking up someone currently in custody or checking the status of a past inmate, Indiana provides public access to many of these records online. This page covers each major tool and agency that tracks released inmate data in Indiana, so you can find the right source fast.
Indiana Released Inmates Quick Facts
Indiana Offender Locator
The Indiana Offender Locator is the primary online tool for finding people held or previously held in state prisons. It is operated by the Indiana Department of Correction and is free to use. You can search by last name only or by both first and last name. Using both names narrows the results and is the recommended approach when you know them. The system requires cookies to be enabled in your browser. Each result shows the person's Department of Correction number and current facility assignment.
The Indiana Department of Correction runs 18 adult facilities across the state. These include Indiana State Prison in Michigan City (219) 874-7253, Pendleton Correctional Facility (765) 778-2107, Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle (812) 398-5050, Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill (765) 689-8920, Westville Correctional Facility (219) 785-2511, Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis (317) 244-3387, Plainfield Correctional Facility (317) 839-7751, and Putnamville Correctional Facility (765) 653-8441. The IDOC central office is at 302 W. Washington Street, Indiana Government Center South, Room E-334, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Phone: (317) 232-5711. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For offender record requests, email coaoffenderrecordrequest@idoc.in.gov or send public records inquiries to Docpublicrecords@idoc.IN.gov. The IDOC offender records page has full instructions for submitting a request. You can also reach the general contact line at (317) 232-5723.
The IDOC contact page lists phone numbers and email addresses for each division. An Ombudsman Bureau at 402 W. Washington St., Room W479, Indianapolis, IN 46204 handles independent complaint review for IDOC policy violations. Reach the Ombudsman by email at Ombud@idoa.in.gov.
County Jail Released Inmates Portal
Indiana county jails hold people awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or waiting for transfer to a state facility. The sheriff in each of Indiana's 92 counties operates the local jail and keeps inmate records under IC 36-2-13, which sets out the duties of county sheriffs for custody and care of prisoners. Many counties post real-time or frequently updated rosters on their own websites, while others handle inquiries by phone.
The Indiana County Jail Public Portal lets you search across multiple participating counties from a single page. You can search by last name, first name, birth date, or by selecting a specific county from the dropdown. Current participating counties include Brown, Carroll, Elkhart, Fountain, Grant, Hendricks, Cass, Blackford, Hancock, and Huntington. If the county you need is not listed, visit that county's sheriff website directly or call the jail.
Under IC 11-8-2-5, the Department of Correction has authority to collect and maintain information about offenders and correctional treatment. Administrative rule 210 IAC 3-1-6 sets record-keeping requirements for county jails across Indiana. Each sheriff must keep records of the booking number, date and time of intake, charges, name and aliases, physical description, mug shot, and fingerprints for every person booked.
Note: An inmate's medical record file is kept separate from the confinement record under 210 IAC 3-1-6 and is not part of the public jail file.
VINE Notifications and SAVIN
Indiana provides two free notification services for tracking offender custody status. These are used widely by people who need to know when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes from a state or county facility.
VINELink is a national victim notification network that covers Indiana jails and prisons. The service is free, secure, and confidential. Register online or call 866-959-VINE (866-959-8463) to set up automated alerts. When an inmate's status changes, you get notified right away. This tool covers both state IDOC facilities and county jails in Indiana.
Indiana SAVIN (Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification) is a state-operated search and notification database. You can search by offender name, ID number, or case number. A partial or full last name is required for any name-based search. Results show custody status and criminal case information. Both VINE and SAVIN operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. There is no fee to use either system in Indiana.
ISP Criminal History and Released Inmates
The Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search provides a report of felony and misdemeanor arrests in Indiana. This differs from a jail roster or the IDOC offender locator because it covers statewide arrest data rather than just current custody. Searches use name, date of birth, race, and gender. The report returns one of three results: ON FILE (criminal record found), INCONCLUSIVE RESULTS, or NO RECORDS FOUND. This does not include criminal history from other states.
The online fee is $16.32 per search. Mail-in requests cost $15.00 and require a money order payable to "State of Indiana." Send mail requests to: Indiana State Police, Criminal History Limited Check, P.O. Box 6188, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188. Under IC 10-13-3, the Indiana State Police serve as the official state central repository for criminal history record information. IC 10-13-3-27 makes misuse of limited criminal history a Class A misdemeanor. Nonprofit organizations qualify for free requests under IC 10-13-3-36.
Indiana Court Records Search
The Indiana Courts MyCase system gives public access to court case records statewide. You can search cases, protection orders, and the child abuse registry. Some documents are available at no cost. For documents not posted online, contact the clerk in the county where the case was filed. Court records often include sentencing information that can help you understand when someone was or will be released from custody in Indiana.
The Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry at icrimewatch.net/indiana.php is searchable by county and provides public information about registered offenders living in communities across Indiana. This registry is separate from the IDOC offender locator and covers people who have been released and are required to register under state law.
IDOC Offender Records
The IDOC maintains a dedicated records team for formal records requests. You can submit requests by email, mail, or phone. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The offender records page lists all required information for submitting a proper request.
Under IC 11-8-5-2, the Department may classify certain personal information as confidential. This includes medical and psychiatric data, information tied to pending investigations, and data that could result in physical harm. Confidential information can be released through a court order or to approved sex offender management providers. Most basic offender data remains accessible to the public.
Indiana Released Inmates and Public Records Law
Indiana's Access to Public Records Act, found at IC 5-14-3-3, gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records during regular business hours. You do not have to explain why you want the records. Requests must identify the records with reasonable particularity. Agencies must respond within a reasonable time, and they must provide electronic records in an electronic format when that format is how they are stored. This law applies to county jails and the IDOC alike.
Exceptions exist. IC 5-14-3-4 lists what agencies may withhold. Investigatory law enforcement records may be kept private at agency discretion. Under IC 5-14-3-4(b)(23), records containing personal information about correctional officers, probation officers, crime victims, or family members are exempt from disclosure. Records that could affect the security of a jail or correctional facility are also exempt. These exceptions are narrowly applied, and most basic released inmate records remain open to the public in Indiana.
Each county sheriff must establish written policies on access to and release of inmate records per 210 IAC 3-1-6. This administrative rule governs county jails statewide. If a sheriff's office denies a records request, you have the right to challenge that decision under IC 5-14-3-3.
Browse Indiana Released Inmates by County
Each of Indiana's 92 counties maintains its own jail and inmate records through the county sheriff. Select a county below to find the local sheriff's office contact details, inmate search tools, and released inmate resources for that area.
Released Inmates in Major Indiana Cities
Indiana's largest cities have local police departments and county jails that track released inmate data. Find city-specific resources and tools for checking inmate status in your area of Indiana.