Indiana Jail Inmate Search & Inmate Lookup 2026

Indiana statewide guide · County jail, IDOC and federal custody

Indiana Inmate Lookup: Find the Correct Jail, Prison, Case and Release Status

An Indiana inmate search fails when the wrong custody system is used. A recent arrestee may be in a county jail, a sentenced prisoner may be in an Indiana Department of Correction facility, and a federal defendant may be held through the Federal Bureau of Prisons or a contracted jail.

This guide explains how to identify the correct system, search with fewer errors, decode custody results, check bond and court status, register for release alerts, prepare for IDOC mail and visitation, and resolve a record that cannot be found.

Do not identify a person from a name alone. Match the date of birth, booking number, DOC number, arrest date, county, facility or court case number. A custody listing documents detention or incarceration; it does not by itself prove guilt or conviction.
County inmate

Search the responsible sheriff’s jail roster.

State prisoner

Use the IDOC Incarcerated Locator.

Federal inmate

Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator.

Court outcome

Verify charges and disposition through MyCase.

Custody alerts

Indiana SAVIN is free and available statewide.

Start with custody type

Which Indiana inmate-search system should you use?

COUNTY SHERIFF Arrested recently or awaiting trial

Start with the sheriff in the county where the arrest occurred. County jail rosters commonly show current booking information, charges, bond entries and release status.

Best for: recent arrest, local warrant, pretrial detention, county sentence and bond questions.
INDIANA DOC Serving an Indiana state sentence

Use the IDOC Incarcerated Locator to find the person’s DOC number and current state facility. The DOC number is the key identifier for mail, money, calls, visits and records requests.

Best for: state prison, IDOC intake, transfer, facility location and state release information.
FEDERAL BOP Federal charge or federal sentence

Use the Bureau of Prisons locator for federal inmates from 1982 to the present. Search by federal register number or by legal name, age, race and sex.

Best for: federal prison location, federal register number and projected release information.
Fastest decision: Search the county where the arrest happened first when the event was recent. Use IDOC only after a state commitment or transfer, and use the federal locator when the case was prosecuted in federal court.

Choose the problem you need to solve

The important search rules and family procedures are explained inside the article; outside portals are reserved for the final live action.

Result decoder

What an Indiana inmate-search result means

Common county and state custody fields
Field What it identifies Practical next action
Booking number The identifier for a particular county jail intake. Use it for local jail questions, mail, deposits and booking verification.
DOC number The person’s permanent or primary identifier within IDOC. Use it for IDOC mail, visits, money, calls and records requests.
Booking date When the person entered the county intake process. Compare it with the known arrest date and distinguish older bookings.
Arresting agency The police department, sheriff or other agency responsible for the arrest. Request the incident or arrest report from that agency.
Charge The allegation recorded during booking or court processing. Check MyCase because the filed charge or final result may differ.
Bond amount The bond presently associated with a charge or court case. Confirm every charge, warrant and hold before paying.
No bond Release may require a judge’s order or resolution of another legal matter. Review the court docket and contact the responsible court or attorney.
Facility The jail or prison location currently associated with the person. Confirm before sending mail, scheduling a visit or traveling.
Release date A recorded or projected end of the custody period. Treat future dates as estimates until release is confirmed.
Case number The identifier used by the Indiana court. Use it in MyCase for filings, hearings, bond orders and disposition.
One booking can contain several legal matters. A person may have multiple charges, court cases, county warrants, probation holds or another agency detainer. One payable bond does not guarantee release.
Troubleshooting

No Indiana inmate record found? Follow this order

The arrest happened within the last few hours The person may still be completing identification, medical screening, fingerprinting, property inventory or initial court processing.
The wrong county was searched Search the location of arrest, warrant service or traffic stop rather than the person’s residence.
The name is entered differently Search the last name alone and test a former surname, maiden name, suffix, alias, compound name or spelling variation.
The person is in a city lockup Some arrestees remain briefly with the arresting police department before county transfer.
The county booking disappeared The person may have bonded out, completed release, transferred to another county or entered IDOC or federal custody.
The person is in IDOC intake A new state commitment may be undergoing diagnostic classification before the permanent facility is displayed.
A court case appears but no custody record exists The defendant may be out on bond, summoned to court, released, serving probation or connected with an older case.
The record is legally restricted Juvenile, sealed, expunged, medical, victim-related and other confidential information may not be publicly available.
The person is federally detained Search BOP and contact the federal court or U.S. Marshals-related case source when the prosecution is federal.
The person is outside Indiana Search the state or jurisdiction where the person was arrested or transferred.
Useful jail call script “I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date], is in your custody. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. I have [booking, DOC or case number]. Can you confirm whether the person is being booked, currently held, released or transferred?”
Custody timeline

What happens after an Indiana arrest?

Arrest and transport The arresting agency transports the person to a city holding area, county jail or another authorized detention site.
Identity and booking Staff record the person’s identity, charges, arresting agency, property, fingerprints and booking identifiers.
Medical and safety screening The jail assesses urgent health, medication, withdrawal, mental-health, suicide-risk and separation needs.
Initial court process A judge may address probable cause, appointment of counsel, bond, release conditions and the next hearing.
Pretrial custody or release The person may remain held, post bond, receive another release condition or remain because of another warrant or detainer.
Case disposition Charges may be dismissed, amended or resolved by plea, trial, diversion, sentencing or another court action.
County sentence or IDOC commitment A sentenced person may remain locally, enter community corrections or transfer into Indiana DOC custody depending on the judgment.
Release, supervision or transfer The person may be discharged, placed on probation or parole, enter a transition program or transfer to another jurisdiction.
Indiana MyCase

How to check charges, bond orders and court outcomes

Indiana MyCase contains public information from courts using the Odyssey case-management system, which includes most courts in the state. Public cases that are not confidential, sealed or expunged can generally be searched without creating an account.

Search by case number first Enter the case number, citation number or cross-reference number by itself. Hyphens and leading zeroes are not required.
Use party search when no case number is known Enter the last name and add at least a first name, middle name or date of birth.
Confirm the court and county A common name may return several criminal, civil, traffic or family cases from different counties.
Review the chronological case summary Read filings and events in date order. Locate charging documents, bond orders, warrants, hearings, judgments and sentencing entries.
Check the exact charge level Determine whether the filed matter is a felony, misdemeanor, infraction or another case type.
Locate the final disposition Do not describe a person as convicted from the booking charge. Identify the judgment, dismissal, plea or final order.
Request the document when the docket is unclear Some documents are available online free of charge, while older or restricted public documents may require a clerk request.
Common MyCase terms
Term Plain-language meaning What to verify
Initial hearing An early hearing addressing rights, counsel, charges and scheduling. Check the bond and next-hearing entry.
Bond set The court entered release-security or release-condition terms. Confirm whether another case or hold exists.
Warrant issued The court authorized arrest or action under the warrant. Confirm active status with the responsible law-enforcement agency.
Dismissed The court or prosecution ended the listed charge or case. Check whether every count was dismissed.
Judgment The court entered a formal case result. Read the judgment and sentencing entry.
Converted event Information transferred from a court’s previous electronic system. Older converted data may contain less online detail.
Online-document limits: MyCase provides many public documents without charge, but document availability is not always retroactive. Some older documents remain available only through the court clerk.
Bond and release

What families should confirm before paying an Indiana bond

Exact legal name and date of birth
County jail and booking number
Every active court case number
Bond type and amount for each charge
Whether cash, surety or another method is required
Whether another county or agency has a hold
Accepted payment location and business hours
Whether fees are refundable or nonrefundable
Required identification for the payer
Expected release-processing procedure
Do not assume one payment causes release. A person may have a no-bond case, probation hold, another county warrant, federal detainer, immigration matter or additional charge.

Common bond and release situations

Cash bond Confirm the exact payee, accepted form of payment, amount and refund procedure with the county.
Surety bond A licensed bond agent may guarantee the bond under the local court’s rules. Fees paid to the agent are generally separate from court security.
Release on recognizance The court may permit release without a traditional cash payment, subject to appearance and conduct conditions.
No bond or judicial hold Release generally requires further court action or resolution of the controlling legal matter.
Bond paid but person remains held Another charge, warrant or agency detainer may still prevent release.
Release shown as pending Paperwork, property return, transport and record checks may still be underway. Confirm physical release before arranging pickup.
Scam warning: Do not pay a supposed deputy, court employee or jail worker through gift cards, cryptocurrency or a personal payment account. Verify the payment path using the county’s published phone number.
Free statewide notifications

Indiana SAVIN custody searches and release alerts

Indiana SAVIN provides real-time custody information for offenders in all 92 counties. The service is available to crime victims, family members and the general public.

Coverage

Custody information across all 92 Indiana counties.

Cost

No charge to search or register.

Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Support

Live operators are available by telephone.

Privacy

Victim notification registration is confidential.

Changes SAVIN can help track

Initial custody or placement
Release from custody
Transfer to another facility
Other qualifying custody-status changes
State correctional release information
Public-safety alerts associated with correctional emergencies
IDOC victim notification: The Victim Services Division reports that registered victims and witnesses are generally notified 45 days before an IDOC offender’s pending release. A staff member is on call around the clock for emergency notification.
Community Transition Program: Victims can submit release concerns to the court of conviction. When CTP participation is approved, IDOC states that victims are notified approximately five to seven days before the transition release.
Indiana SAVIN support

866-891-0330

Free statewide custody-search and notification assistance.

IDOC Victim Services

317-232-5749

Victim notification, referrals and release-related assistance.

Indiana Parole Board

317-232-5673

Parole-release safety concerns.

Notification confidentiality

IDOC states that the incarcerated person is not told who registered for victim notification.

Effective July 1, 2026

New Indiana DOC inmate mailing address and scanning rules

IDOC now uses a centralized processing address for general personal correspondence to most state inmates. The change does not apply in the same way to Reception Diagnostic Center, legal mail or packages.

General personal mail format
Incarcerated Individual’s Full Name, DOC Number
Facility Name
P.O. Box 460
Phoenix, MD 21131
Use the current facility name. The DOC number identifies the person, but IDOC also instructs senders to include the person’s current facility. Confirm location immediately before mailing.

How centralized IDOC mail is delivered

The processing center receives the letter The sender must include the incarcerated person’s full name, DOC number and assigned facility.
General correspondence is scanned in full color The digital copy is uploaded for delivery through the incarcerated person’s tablet.
Alternative access is available A person without a tablet may use a facility kiosk or loaner tablet. Mail can be printed when needed, including for some restricted-housing situations.
The original is held temporarily IDOC states that originals are stored for 30 days so missing-page or upload problems can be addressed.
The original is discarded After the temporary retention period, the physical correspondence is destroyed.
Transition deadline: IDOC states that after July 31, 2026, personal correspondence sent to an incorrect address will be returned to the sender.

Mail that should continue directly to the facility

Legal mail

Mail from courts, attorneys and recognized legal organizations must be clearly identified as legal mail and continues through the facility’s legal-mail process.

Attorney-client privileged mail

Privileged legal correspondence should not be sent through the ordinary centralized personal-mail address.

Packages and parcels

Packages remain subject to IDOC property, vendor and facility requirements and continue to go through the approved direct process.

Publication and package restrictions explained

  • Publications may be inspected for alterations, annotations, obscene material or security risks.
  • Used books containing writing, modifications or inserted materials may be rejected.
  • Third-party fulfillment shipments may be rejected.
  • Amazon items must be sold by Amazon and shipped by Amazon when the facility’s policy requires direct publisher or approved seller fulfillment.
  • Pictures and videograms must comply with IDOC printed-material and correspondence rules.

Correspondence with another confined person

Prior approval is required when the other correspondent is incarcerated, on parole, assigned to community corrections, held in a county jail, on county probation after IDOC release, participating in CTP or assigned to work release.

The incarcerated person must request approval
State Form 11985 is used
The request goes to the warden or designee
The correspondence must serve the interests of both people and facilities
Approval may be suspended during restrictive status
A denial may be challenged through the grievance process
IDOC visiting process

How to become an approved Indiana DOC visitor

Register for a ViaPath account Every visitor must register and receive approval before scheduling an in-person or online visit.
Complete supplemental documentation Submit any documentation requested by the visitation coordinator. Missing documents can delay or cause rejection of the application.
Wait for visitor approval Creating an account does not automatically place the visitor on an approved list.
Confirm the correct facility Search the IDOC locator again because the incarcerated person may have transferred after the visitor applied.
Review facility-specific rules Visiting days, duration, visitor limits, clothing, permitted items and unit restrictions vary.
Schedule through ViaPath Choose an available appointment for the assigned facility and housing unit.
Use Eastern Time IDOC states that ViaPath scheduling is displayed in Eastern Time even when a facility is physically located in Indiana’s Central Time Zone.
Bring accepted identification Visitors age 16 and older must present valid photo identification each time they visit.

Accepted ID for visitors age 16 and older

Valid driver’s license from the state of residence
Valid state-issued photo identification
Valid military photo identification
Valid passport
Valid government photo identification
Qualifying foreign-government identification

IDOC visitation-list rules

Statewide visitor-list rules
Rule Published IDOC requirement Practical effect
Maximum requested visitors An incarcerated person may request no more than 12 visitors. Approval is required before scheduling.
List updates The visitation list is updated at least twice each year. Name additions or removals may not be immediate.
Removing yourself A visitor may request removal in writing to the superintendent or designee. The visitor generally must wait six months before applying to visit the same or another incarcerated person, subject to immediate-family exceptions.
Visitor searches Visitors must submit to search of their person and property. Refusal results in denial of the visit.
Trafficking Drugs, tobacco, electronic devices, weapons and trafficking are prohibited. Evidence may be referred to Indiana State Police, and a trafficking visitor may be permanently banned.
Scheduling is not a guarantee of entry. Lockdown, medical movement, facility emergency, disciplinary restriction, incorrect identification, prohibited clothing or failed search procedures can cancel or deny a visit.
Funds and support

How to send money to an Indiana DOC inmate

IDOC does not accept money orders delivered directly to state correctional facilities. Electronic and approved lockbox transactions are handled through the designated communications and payment provider.

Confirm the inmate’s DOC number Match the exact legal name and DOC number in the state locator before creating a transaction.
Confirm current facility location A transfer may affect available services even when the DOC number remains the same.
Create the approved provider account IDOC currently directs friends and family to ViaPath or ConnectNetwork services for communication and financial support.
Select the correct account type Trust, commissary, phone and tablet accounts may serve different purposes. Read the transaction label before paying.
Review the fee before submission Provider fees depend on the payment type and amount and must be displayed before the transaction is finalized.
Save the receipt Keep the confirmation number, amount, date, account type and inmate identifiers.
Do not mail a money order directly to an IDOC facility. Use the approved electronic or lockbox process and verify that the recipient is permitted to receive funds from the sender.
Approved-list issue: Indiana guidance states that money may be accepted only from people permitted under the inmate’s approved-list rules. Resolve eligibility before repeatedly attempting payment.
Calls and tablets

How Indiana inmate calls and communication accounts work

County jail calls

County jails select their own provider and calling schedule. Inmates generally cannot receive ordinary incoming calls.

IDOC communication

IDOC uses ViaPath services for approved calls, tablets, messaging and visitation-related communication.

Emergency message

Contact the facility directly when there is a verified death, serious illness or urgent family matter. Staff decide whether and how to deliver the message.

Before funding a phone account

Confirm whether the person is in county or state custody
Use the correct booking or DOC number
Verify the facility-selected provider
Choose the correct prepaid or recipient account
Check whether the telephone number is blocked
Save the payment and account confirmation
Monitoring warning: Non-privileged jail and prison calls, messages and video sessions can be recorded, monitored or reviewed. Do not discuss criminal allegations, witnesses, evidence or legal strategy on an ordinary account.
Public records

How to request Indiana inmate, jail or correctional records

Send the request to the office that created the record
Record needed Likely custodian Identifiers to provide
County booking record County sheriff or jail Full name, birth date, booking number and booking date.
Police incident or arrest report Arresting police or sheriff’s agency Report number, incident date, location and involved names.
Criminal court documents County clerk or court Case number, defendant name and document title.
IDOC incarceration record Indiana Department of Correction Full name, DOC number, facility and requested record type.
Medical or mental-health record Facility health-record process Signed authorization and identity documentation may be required.
State criminal history Indiana State Police Name, birth date, race, gender and other search information.

Write a narrow, processable IDOC request

Copy-ready records-request wording
I request an electronic copy of the following publicly releasable records concerning [full legal name], DOC number [number], currently or previously assigned to [facility]: [identify the exact document, report or date range]. The relevant period is [start date] through [end date]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if the charge will exceed $[amount].
Use the person’s full legal name
Include the DOC or booking number
Identify the exact document or report
Provide a narrow date range
Request electronic delivery when practical
Set a cost-notification limit
Not every inmate record is public. Medical, mental-health, security, victim, personnel, juvenile, investigative and legally confidential information may be redacted or withheld.
Indiana State Police

When an inmate lookup is not a criminal-history check

A jail or prison locator answers where a person is held. It does not provide a complete statewide or nationwide background report.

Indiana Limited Criminal History

A name-and-date-of-birth search of qualifying Indiana records. Completeness depends on county participation.

Indiana Full Criminal History

A fingerprint-based Indiana report containing reported arrests, charges and dispositions within Indiana. It does not include federal or out-of-state arrests.

National Full Criminal History

A fingerprint-based report containing reported state and federal arrests, charges and dispositions across the United States.

Indiana Limited Criminal History service
Item Current published detail What users should know
Non-subscriber online cost $16.32 per search The fee applies to each completed search.
IN.gov subscriber cost $15 per search A subscriber account is required for this rate.
Government-agency cost $7 per search Applicable authorized government use rules still apply.
Possible result On File A matching Indiana criminal record was found.
Possible result Inconclusive Results Indiana recommends a fingerprint-based check for stronger identity resolution.
Possible result No Records Found This is an official search result, but it does not guarantee no record exists outside the search’s scope.

Information returned by the Limited Criminal History service

  • Qualifying misdemeanor and felony arrests less than one year old.
  • Older qualifying arrests when a court disposition has been reported.
  • Names and aliases associated with the matching record.
  • Arrest dates, charges and reported dispositions.
  • Indiana records only; other states and federal jurisdictions are excluded.
A fee is charged even when no record is found. Confirm the required search type with the employer, licensing board, housing provider or requesting organization before paying.

Saving the online result

Enable temporary browser cookies
Allow the result or PDF window to open
Have a working printer or PDF-save option ready
Save the result immediately after the search
The search PDF expires after 14 days
No paper copy is automatically mailed after an online search

Mail request option

Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History
P.O. Box 6188
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6188

For mailed requests, Indiana State Police states that payment must be made by money order payable to the State of Indiana.

Incorrect records

How to correct or expunge Indiana custody and criminal records

Correct the information at its source
Problem Office to contact Evidence to prepare
Wrong county booking identity County sheriff or jail records unit Government ID, booking number and proof of the mismatch.
Wrong arrest-report information Arresting law-enforcement agency Report number and official supporting documentation.
Incorrect court docket entry Court clerk or issuing court Case number and signed order or filed document.
Incorrect IDOC identity or custody data Indiana Department of Correction DOC number, identity documents and controlling court records.
Incorrect State Police criminal history ISP criminal-history challenge process Fingerprint-based Indiana Full Criminal History and certified court documents.

Indiana criminal-history challenge

Indiana State Police uses a fingerprint-based Indiana Full Criminal History for the Criminal Record Review Challenge. The report includes reported Indiana arrests, charges and dispositions but excludes federal and out-of-state records.

Register for electronic fingerprinting Use the Indiana INkless process and choose the appropriate criminal-record review or challenge service.
Complete fingerprint capture Visit the selected IDEMIA enrollment center with the required identity documents.
Review the Indiana report Identify the exact arrest, charge, disposition or identity field that is incomplete or incorrect.
Collect certified proof Obtain certified dismissal, judgment, correction or other controlling documents from the court or agency.
Submit the challenge Follow Indiana State Police instructions for review and correction of the disputed record.

Expungement and sealing

A petition for expungement or sealing is filed with the Indiana court that has jurisdiction. A person may file without counsel or use a private attorney, but Indiana State Police cannot provide legal advice.

Identify every case and arrest involved Use MyCase, certified court records and the Indiana criminal-history report.
Determine the correct court and legal eligibility Waiting periods, offense type, disposition and prior history can affect relief.
File the required petition Submit it to the proper local court and follow service, notice and hearing requirements.
Obtain the signed order Filing alone does not seal or expunge the record.
The court forwards the order Indiana State Police processes the verified petition and granted order received from the local court.
Verify implementation Check the court, State Police and applicable agency records after processing is complete.
ISP Expungement Section

317-234-4427

Expungement@isp.IN.gov

Important limit

Indiana State Police can explain its processing role but cannot advise whether a person qualifies or how a petition should be written.

Family action plan

What to do in the first 24 hours after locating an inmate

1
Save the identity details

Record the full displayed name, birth date, booking or DOC number, facility, arrest date and case numbers.

2
Check every charge

List each charge and bond separately. Look for an outside warrant or hold.

3
Search the court case

Use MyCase to confirm the initial hearing, bond order, counsel and next court date.

4
Confirm the facility

Call before sending mail, paying a provider, arranging pickup or traveling for a visit.

5
Register for SAVIN

Set confidential custody-status notifications instead of repeatedly refreshing a roster.

6
Protect legal privacy

Do not discuss charges, evidence, witnesses or defense strategy over recorded calls or ordinary messages.

Frequently asked questions

Indiana inmate-search questions answered

How do I search for a recent Indiana arrest?

Identify the county where the arrest happened, select that county in the Indiana Sheriff Directory and use the sheriff’s current inmate roster. A recent arrestee may not yet appear in IDOC.

How do I find someone serving an Indiana prison sentence?

Use the IDOC Incarcerated Locator. Save the person’s DOC number and current facility because those details are required for mail, money, calls, visits and records requests.

Can Indiana SAVIN search all county jails?

Indiana states that SAVIN provides custody-status information for offenders in all 92 counties. Use the local sheriff for detailed bond, visitation, mail and release instructions.

Why is an Indiana inmate not appearing online?

The person may still be completing booking, may be listed under a different name, may have been released or transferred, or may be in a city, state, federal, juvenile or confidential custody setting.

How do I check an Indiana inmate’s charges and court date?

Use the case number in Indiana MyCase. Review the chronological case summary for charging documents, hearings, bond orders, warrants, judgments and disposition.

What address should I use for Indiana DOC inmate mail?

For most general personal mail, use the person’s full name and DOC number, facility name, P.O. Box 460, Phoenix, MD 21131. Reception Diagnostic Center, legal mail and packages follow separate procedures.

Do Indiana DOC visitors need approval?

Yes. Visitors must register with ViaPath, submit required supplemental documentation, receive approval and schedule an available visit. Facility-specific rules still apply.

What time zone does Indiana DOC visitation scheduling use?

ViaPath visitation appointments are displayed in Eastern Time, including appointments for facilities located in Indiana’s Central Time Zone.

How much is an Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History search?

The currently published online cost is $16.32 for a non-subscriber, $15 for an IN.gov subscriber and $7 for a government agency. Each completed search is charged even when no record is found.

Can an Indiana inmate or arrest record be corrected or expunged?

Incorrect data should be challenged through the agency that maintains it. Expungement or sealing requires a petition in the proper Indiana court and a granted order. The court then forwards the required documentation to Indiana State Police for processing.

Official-source verification

Primary Indiana systems used for this guide

County custody

The State of Indiana Sheriff Directory identifies every elected county sheriff and provides the route to each official county website.

State custody

IDOC provides the Incarcerated Locator, facility directory, mail rules, visitation procedures, communication guidance and records-request process.

Court records

Indiana MyCase provides searchable public case information and many public court documents from Odyssey courts.

Notifications

Indiana SAVIN provides statewide custody information and confidential notification registration.

Criminal history

Indiana State Police provides name-based, fingerprint-based, challenge and expungement-processing information.

Federal custody

The Federal Bureau of Prisons locator covers federal inmates from 1982 to the present.

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