Texas Inmate Search

Inmate records are official documents containing details of individuals who are currently incarcerated. The information provided on the inmate record generally includes:

• The inmate’s full name and aliases
• The details of the offense for which the inmate was arrested or convicted of
• The inmate’s bio-data, such as the date of birth, gender, fingerprints, and mugshot
• The date the inmate was incarcerated, as well as the prospective release date
• The facility where the inmate is being housed, the location, and the security level
• The inmate’s past convictions and sentences served
• Bond/bail conditions, where applicable

Under the Texas Government Code (Chapter 52), inmate records are public records maintained by law enforcement agencies. As such, citizens may generally access such records. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice reinforces this provision.

Texas State Prisons

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) manages approximately 54 state-operated prison units, state jails, medical and psychiatric units, transfer and intake facilities, and parole centers. The full list is available on the TDCJ Unit Directory.

The largest male prison in Texas is the H. H. Coffield Unit. It opened in June 1965 and has a capacity of about 4,139 inmates. It houses various custody levels, including the general population and trusty camps.

H. H. Coffield Unit,
2661 FM 2054,
Tennessee Colony,
TX 75884,
Phone: (903) 928-2211

Likewise, the largest female correctional facility is the Christina Melton Crain Unit. It opened in August 1980 and has a capacity of approximately 2,013 inmates.

Christina Melton Crain Unit

1401 State School Road,
Gatesville,
TX 76599-2999,
Phone: (254) 865-8431

How To Find An Inmate In Texas?

Family and friends can find an inmate in Texas online using the offender’s information search portal. During a search, the requester typically has to provide some or all of the following.

• The last name and at least the first initial of the first name,
• The Texas Department of Criminal Justice number or
• The State Identification number

Information provided on the database generally includes details of inmates in facilities overseen by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. To find inmates in county or city jails, the requester may visit or send a letter seeking information to the relevant local jail. Inquiries may be addressed to the Sheriff’s Office at the local jail.

The requester may also find an inmate on the websites of the individual county or city jail. For instance, El Paso County has a website that allows users to search for an inmate at the local jail by name or booking number. A search by name requires the inmate's first and last name.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. Operating independently of any federal, state, or local agency, such websites may simplify the search process as they are not limited by geographic location. In addition, third-party sites typically have search engines that can be used to filter specific or multiple records. To use third-party or government websites, interested parties may need to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides in or was accused in

However, third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability cannot be guaranteed.

How To Find A Federal Inmate In Texas?

Citizens can search for an inmate incarcerated at a federal facility using the search tools provided by the Bureau of Prisons. The search can be done using the inmate’s name or the inmate’s number. A search by name requires the inmate’s biodata. This search includes at least the first and last names of the inmate. The query may be filtered by including the race, sex, and age of the inmate.

On the other hand, if the requester is searching by number, any of the following numbers may suffice for a quick result:

• The Bureau of Prisons register number,
• D.C. Department of Corrections number,
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation number, or
• The Immigration and Naturalization Services number

The Bureau of Prisons database contains information on inmates who have been incarcerated since 1982. For inmate records before 1982, the requester can find such records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The NARA’s database contains information on inmates incarcerated from 1870 to 1981.

How Do I Find Inmate Records In Texas?

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is responsible for maintaining inmate records in the State of Texas. To gain access to any record, the Department mandates that the request be made in writing for old and current inmates. This request may be submitted in person, by mail, email, or fax. If delivering the request in person, requesters may go to the relevant unit where the record is maintained.

Where the relevant unit is unknown, the requester can make inquiries from the TDCJ Executive Services on (936) 437–6144. Inquiries may also be faxed to (936) 437–2125, sent by email to exec.services@tdcj.texas.gov, or by mail addressed to:

TDCJ—Executive Services
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342–0099

Written requests typically include the person making the request's name, phone number, and mailing address. This information ensures an appropriate response from the agency. The request must also contain specific information on the record being sought.

Although inmate records are public records, certain information on inmates is not available to the public. As such, any request for non-public information must go through the Attorney General. The Attorney General has the authority to decide whether the information should be released. This decision must be made within 12 weeks of receiving the request.

The cost of copying an available inmate record is $0.10 per page in addition to the cost of postage. Where the number of copies requested is more than 50 pages, the fee would include personnel and overhead costs required to compile the documents. Where the total fee exceeds $40, the Department typically sends the requester an itemized written estimate of the fees and indicates if there is a less costly alternative.

After receiving this estimate, the requester is required to respond within ten days. The response must be in writing and state whether the requester accepts the costs or prefers the less costly alternative. The Department considers the request withdrawn when a response is not received within the period.

Requesters can search for the inmate records online and print web copies if allowed. However, these prints are not regarded as official copies. To search for any record, requesters provide information on the inmate. Generally, the information required is the last name and at least the first initial of the first name. Alternatively, the requester can provide the Texas Department of Criminal Justice number or the State Identification number.

The online search is only applicable to offenders incarcerated in a TDCJ facility at the time of the search. Records of released inmates cannot be accessed online. To request a copy of an inmate's record for inmates no longer in custody, searchers may need to write to the appropriate jail.

How to Put Money on Inmates' Books In Texas?

Every inmate in any of the state facilities overseen by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has a trust fund account provided by the Department. Family members and friends can deposit money into this account. To do so, the depositor can use any of the options offered by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. These include:

• Cashier’s check or money order
• Monthly checking account debit (Automated Clearing House)
• America’s Cash Express (ACE)
• eCommDirect Store
• TouchPay Payment Systems
• JPay
• Western Union Convenience Pay
• Western Union Quick Collect

A cashier's check or money order should be made payable to the Inmate Trust Fund and include the inmate’s name and number. The check or order can be sent via a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Inmate Trust Fund
P.O. Box 60
Huntsville, TX 77342–0060

To pay using a monthly checking account debit, the depositor must first complete an ACH authorization form. The completed form and a voided check for the account to be debited should be submitted to:

Inmate Trust Fund
P.O. Box 629
Huntsville
Texas 77342–0629

This payment medium enables the TDCJ to automatically debit a fixed monthly amount from a personal checking account. The debit is taken about the fifth day of each month and credited to the specified offender’s account by the tenth day. The automatic transactions can be changed or stopped by completing an ACH stop/change form.

TouchPay payments can be made online via a debit or credit card or by calling 1–877–868–5358. Alternatively, the sender may use MoneyPak to complete a TouchPay transaction. To pay by ACE, depositors must call 1–866–734–2306 or visit the nearest ACE location.

Deposits via eCommDirect are made using a MasterCard, Visa, or Discover card. The inmate’s name and number are to be provided on the eCommDirect site. Also, a deposit can be made to an inmate’s account via Jpay using a Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card by calling 1 800–574 5729. Alternatively, a Jpay transaction can be completed via cash deposit at any MoneyGram location nationwide. The deposit is made using an Express Payment form as well as the RECEIVE CODE 3570.

Making deposits in Texas county and city jails is different. To deposit money into an inmate's commissary account, depositors may contact the county/city jail. Generally, though, depositors can fund an inmate’s account:

• At a kiosk in the jail lobby
• At designated retail locations around the city/county
• Online via accredited payment merchants using a credit/debit card
• By phone using a credit/debit card.

Does Texas Use JPay for Inmates?

Yes, Texas uses JPay services, administered under Securus Technologies, throughout its prison system as approved by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Inmates and families can send money online, by phone, or via lockbox money orders directly to JPay, as funds go into the offender’s Trust Fund Account in TDCJ facilities. Electronic messaging, VideoGrams, and photo eCards are available via the JPay interface managed by Securus Technologies. Phone services and call accounts are managed via Securus’s AdvancedConnect system. TDCJ also supports eCommDirect for care package purchases and Access Corrections for deposits.