Search Instructions
How to Search for a Federal Inmate in the Bureau of Prisons
The Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator includes inmates that are not only in custody, but who have been in custody and have been released (or who died in custody) since 1982.
For inmates in custody prior to 1982, visit the National Archives Records Administration and provide the following information:
- Inmate name (including middle name/initial),
- Inmate's date of birth or approximate age at time of incarceration,
- Inmate's race, and
- Inmate's approximate dates in prison.
Federal Inmate Search
Searching by Name
- You must enter the exact spelling of the inmate's FIRST and LAST name.
- If the inmate's name is a common name, you may want to type in their age (as of today) and race to limit the number of results.
- If you enter only an inmate's LAST name and an initial for the first name, you will NOT get a result.
Searching by Name Results
Searching by Number
- If you know the inmate's BOP Register Number (ex: 12345-678), you can enter that to get an exact result.
- You can also enter an inmate's DCDC Number, FBI Number or INS Number to get an exact result. The listing of the inmate will display their BOP Register Number.
Searching by Number Result
Things to Know About Federal Inmate Search Results
- The data in the Federal Inmate Locator is updated daily.
- Hispanic's race can either be Black or White.
- Release dates are only considered absolute if they have already been released. For those still in custody the release date is either UNKNOWN, subject to change, or projected.
- Unless an inmate shows as being RELEASED, their location is subject to change, as inmates are occasionally moved to another facility with no notice.
- The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows certain information about Federal inmates to the general public if someone requests it. To obtain information beyond what is provided from the inmate locator and/or publicly available, submit a (Freedom of Information) FOIA request along with a properly completed Form DOJ-361. For further information, refer to the BOP's FOIA website.
- If you are experiencing problems when using the inmate locator system, send a Technical Issue email (using the drop down menu) from the CONTACT US page.
- You may also contact the BOP by writing to:
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
Att: Inmate Locator
320 First St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20534
Search Inmates
