Inmate Search — Ask the Inmate
Finding out where someone is incarcerated is often the first and most urgent challenge families face after an arrest or transfer. The Bureau of Prisons maintains a free locator for federal inmates. Every state maintains its own inmate search tool. But knowing which system to search, how to use the locator correctly, and what to do when the search comes up empty requires guidance that most families do not have access to when they need it most. This section covers how to use the BOP inmate locator for federal inmates, how to find state inmates using DOC search tools, what to do when an inmate does not appear in any search system, why someone in transit may be temporarily unfindable, and how InmateAid's free inmate search can help locate a loved one across multiple systems simultaneously. The answers here are written for families searching in real time, often in crisis, who need accurate information fast. See also our sections on Inmate Transfer and General Prison Questions.
Related InmateAid Services
One of the quickest free resources for locating an inmate at a local jail is VINELink. It is a national victim notification network that also serves as a public inmate locator, covering most county and municipal jail systems across the country including facilities in Illinois. You can search by name and get current custody status and location information without any cost. For Bloomington specifically, the McLean County Detention Facility is the primary jail serving that area. McLean County may
Read moreThe inmate profiles are set up by the member/users of the website. We do not monitor, verify or update the profiles unless requested by the member/user. If you would like to create an inmate profile we would be happy to do it for you. Please send us the inmate's name, their ID number and the facility where they are incarcerated and we'll notify you when it's ready. If you need information on someone's whereabouts, we recommend using the Background Search button to
Read moreThe first step is locating him, and for that, you need a little more than just a name. There are about 2.4 million people incarcerated across the country at any given time, and no inmate search system can reliably find someone on a name alone. At a minimum, you need the state where he is likely being held, and his date of birth helps narrow it down further. If his sister told you he is in a specific facility or
Read moreYES, first try the Clerk of the Court in the county where you think your loved one was detained, for any bond information. We recommend using the Background Search button to get accurate information on them. The site that will give you the most up-to-date and detailed information available on your arrestee, etc.
Read moreIf there is an inmate that already has a profile set up, you can go to your My Account area and click on the "+" button that says "Follow Inmate". If the inmate is not in the member-created profiles, you may create one yourself. If you need some help, please feel free to email us at Aid@InmateAid.com.
Read moreYou need the correct SID number, which is the state identification number assigned to each inmate, to properly set up an inmate profile on InmateAid. Without it the profile cannot be accurately linked to the right person in the system. The most direct way to get the number is to contact the facility where the inmate is housed and ask the administrative office or secretary for the SID number. Have the inmate's full legal name and date of birth
Read moreYou can go to the prison facility page on InmateAid and click on "Inmate Locator" at this facility. Type in the information and you will find out exactly where he is. If you are still running into problems, email us at aid@inmateaid.com and we will try and help. Please include all of the information that you know like his name, ID number and DOB.
Read moreTitle: Can You Email David Sweat Through InmateAid? (44 chars) Snippet Answer: (47 words / 284 chars) Yes. The InmateAid profile for David Sweat is correct and current. He is incarcerated at NY DOC Mid State Correctional Facility in Marcy, New York. If the release date on the record caused confusion, disregard it. All InmateAid services for this inmate are active and properly synced. Expanded Answer: David Sweat became one of the most widely covered escape cases in
Read moreThis normally means that he was "Released to Central Magistrate"; the magistrate is a presiding judge overseeing arraignment and bond. We think this means he was released on his personal recognizance.
Read moreInmateAid is a support platform built specifically for families and loved ones of incarcerated people. The site was founded by a former federal inmate and is designed to make every aspect of staying connected easier, from finding where someone is held to sending letters, photos, money, books, and setting up affordable phone service. Here is how the basics work. To find a specific person, use InmateAid's facility directory or the inmate search feature. You can search by name
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