To look up someone who is in federal custody, you should use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator tool.
Finding a Federal Inmate
Locating a federal prisoner is a straightforward process thanks to publicly available resources. The primary and most reliable tool for this purpose is the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator. This online database allows you to search for individuals currently or previously incarcerated in federal prisons across the United States.
Using the BOP Inmate Locator
The BOP Inmate Locator is designed for public access and is very user-friendly. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to utilize it:
- Access the Locator: Navigate to the official Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator website. You can find it at BOP.gov Inmate Locator.
- Choose Your Search Method: The tool provides two main ways to search:
- Search by Name: If you know the person's full name.
- Search by Number: If you have a specific federal inmate identification number.
- Enter Search Details:
- For Name Searches: Provide the individual's first name, middle name, and last name. You can also refine your search by including race, sex, or age for more accurate results.
- For Number Searches: Input the relevant federal identification number.
- Review Results: The system will display a list of matching individuals. Click on a name to view more detailed information about that inmate.
Search Options
The BOP Inmate Locator offers flexible search criteria to help you pinpoint the individual you're looking for:
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Search by Name:
- First Name: Enter the inmate's first name.
- Middle Name: (Optional) Include the middle name for a more precise search.
- Last Name: Enter the inmate's last name.
- Race: (Optional) Select from a dropdown list (e.g., White, Black, Asian).
- Sex: (Optional) Specify Male or Female.
- Age: (Optional) Enter the inmate's age to narrow down results.
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Search by Number: This is often the quickest and most accurate way if you have one of the following official numbers:
| Number Type | Description |
|---|---|
| BOP Register Number | This is the unique identifier assigned by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to each inmate under its jurisdiction. It's the most direct number to use for a BOP search. |
| DCDC Number | Pertains to individuals held under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, who may be housed in BOP facilities. |
| FBI Number | A unique identifier assigned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to individuals who have been arrested or fingerprinted for federal offenses. |
| INS Number | Refers to numbers previously assigned by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which is now part of the Department of Homeland Security, primarily Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These are used for individuals who may be in BOP custody due to immigration violations. |
Information Provided by the Locator
Once you find a match, the BOP Inmate Locator will typically display the following details:
- BOP Register Number: The unique federal inmate identification number.
- Name: Full name of the inmate.
- Age: The inmate's current age.
- Race & Sex: Demographic information.
- Release Date: A projected release date. Note that this date can change due to various factors (e.g., good conduct time, appeals).
- Location: The name of the federal institution where the inmate is currently incarcerated.
Important Considerations
When searching for a federal inmate, keep these points in mind:
- Federal vs. State/Local: The BOP Inmate Locator only provides information for individuals in federal custody. It will not show results for inmates in state prisons, county jails, or local detention centers. If you suspect someone is in state or local custody, you will need to use specific state department of corrections or county sheriff's office inmate search tools.
- Data Latency: While relatively up-to-date, it may take a few days for information to appear for very recent arrests or transfers.
- Deceased Inmates: The tool can also be used to search for individuals who were previously in BOP custody but are now deceased.
- Privacy Limitations: For security and privacy reasons, the BOP Inmate Locator provides essential public information but does not disclose sensitive details about an inmate's charges, specific sentencing information beyond a projected release date, or internal prison records.
What If You Can't Find Them?
If your search on the BOP Inmate Locator doesn't yield results, consider the following:
- Verify Jurisdiction: Double-check if the person is truly in federal custody. They might be in a state prison, a county jail awaiting trial, or held by immigration authorities.
- Check Spelling: Ensure you have the correct spelling of the person's name. Try variations if you're unsure.
- Alternative Names: If the person uses an alias or has a common name, try searching with different combinations or using the additional search fields (race, sex, age).
- Timing: If it's a very recent arrest, their information might not have been updated in the system yet.
- Legal Counsel: If you are the person's legal counsel or have a legitimate legal need, you may be able to obtain more direct information through official channels.
