Find Texas Inmate Records

Inmate records in Texas refer to records of offenders incarcerated in county jails, state prisons, correctional centers, and other penal facilities in the state. The Texas State Department of Criminal Justice and County Sheriff Offices maintain these records at varying capacities.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Texas?

Yes, most incarceration records in Texas fall under the Texas Public Information Act. This means that members of the public have the right to inspect and copy these records by contacting the appropriate custody facility. Even then, this act is not a blanket law. Some sensitive information, such as inmate medical records, may be unavailable to the public.

What Information is Contained in a Texas Inmate Record?

Inmate records contain various information, including booking details, charges, bail bonds, court hearing details, convictions, and sentencing summaries. Generally, information available on persons incarcerated in both county, city, or state facilities may feature the following:

• Inmate's full name and nickname(s)
• Date of birth, gender, race, and mugshot photograph
• Booking date and estimated release date
• Charges and court conviction summary
• Bail/bond amount (if applicable)
• The security level of the detaining facility
• Absconder information (if applicable)

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Texas?

To find an inmate record, interested persons must query the custodian currently housing, or who housed the inmate.

To look up an inmate in a county or city jail,

• Visit the county sheriff or city police in person
• Alternatively, use the inmate search tools hosted on the county jail websites
• Email and phone services

To find an inmate in the Texas state prisons:

• Use the central Offender Information Search portal
• Call the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on the phone
• Send email requests

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Texas?

To access inmate records, it is important that interested parties first identify the facility where the particular inmate is currently incarcerated.

If the facility of interest is under the management of the TDCJ, use the Offender Information Search offered on the TDCJ's website. This online search tool allows searches by inmate name, incarceration number, or state identification number. Alternatively, request inmate records by emailing the inmate's full name and TDCJ number to classify@tdcj.texas.gov. Include the inmate's full name as the subject of the email.

Inmates housed in Texas county-managed detention centers can be found online using the inmate finding tools featured on the websites of the various sheriffs or applicable city police departments. For instance, the Harris County Sheriff's website dedicates a webpage to inmate locating tools and other jail services. Using this tool, querying parties can find inmates in the Joint Processing Center at 700 North San Jacinto Street. Some county jails provide email services for requesting jail and inmate info. Generally, if the process proves elusive, call or visit the jail for additional enquiries.

To request physical copies of inmate records, visit the detention center in the inmate's county of conviction to determine the possibility and requirements. It is worth noting, however, that some information may be withheld from public view.

In Texas, public records are generally made available through official custodians, but some may be accessed through private third-party providers. These services often compile information statewide and beyond, offering search flexibility not confined to county or municipal boundaries. To initiate a search, basic identifying details such as the subject's name and a relevant location are required. Because these providers are not connected to Texas state agencies, their results may not always reflect the most current or accurate information compared to official repositories.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Texas?

The various online databases that the TDJS and county law enforcement officials provide are available to the public at no cost. Generally, the information required to search these databases includes:

• First and last name of inmate
• TDCJ/ Jail number
• Inmate's gender and race
• Identification number

Email and phone services provided by the state incarceration centers can also be accessed for free.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Texas

The online databases feature information on only offenders currently in custody. Records of discharged inmates may be accessed by querying the particular detention center or prison in person. Inquirers are advised to contact the applicable prison or jail before embarking on a trip.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) maintains convict record ledgers and indexes. This office holds 29 ledgers from 1849-1954 and 10 from 1849-1970. These records provide excellent research sources for those looking to find secondary information on old imprisoned family members. Such information can include an inmate's habits, reading/writing abilities, marital relations, financial capacity, education, expiration of sentence, remarks, birthplace, among others.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Texas

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates an Offender Information Search Tool, which provides custody details, projected release dates, and facility placement. Searches can be made using the inmate's name, TDCJ number, or state identification number. For additional requests, contact:

Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Records Office
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
Phone: (936) 295-6371

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Texas?

Texas law enforcement offices, including the Department of Criminal Justice, county jails, city detention centers, and others, usually file reports of inmate custodial death with the Attorney General's office. To find records of any inmate who died in custody, visit the Custodial Death Report page provided by the AG. Alternatively, contact or visit the AG's office during regular business hours to request these death records. Below are the office's physical and contact addresses:

Office of the Attorney General
300 W. 15th Street
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
Phone: (512) 463-2100

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Interested persons can find inmates serving time in federal prisons located in Texas by utilizing the Inmate Locator Tool provided on the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. This database can be searched using name or identification number. Narrow the search results by giving the race, sex, or age of the inmate of interest.

The information available on the above database covers the period from 1982 to the present. Older inmate records generated between 1870 and 1981 are available at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

How Long Does it Take For An Inmate's Information to Be Published in the Texas Inmate Locator?

At least 24 hours. Upon admission into a state, county, city, or municipal jail in Texas, jail administrators book and record information about the inmate. The suspect/convict's name, charges, mugshot photograph, fingerprints, health status, and other relevant details are taken and documented during the booking session. Afterward, the new inmate's information is uploaded or published for public research.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

An inmate may not appear in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice search system if they are confined in a county jail awaiting trial or serving a misdemeanor sentence, since local sheriffs control those records. Federal inmates are also excluded from the TDCJ database. Juvenile records are maintained separately by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and are not publicly accessible. There may also be delays in uploading newly admitted or transferred inmates, resulting in temporary gaps in availability. Inmates classified for protective custody or involved in high-security designations may have their information restricted for safety reasons.