Michigan State Prisons
32 facilities- MI DOC - Alger Correctional Facility (LMF)
- MI DOC - Baraga Correctional Facility (AMF)
- MI DOC - Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility (IBC)
- MI DOC - Boyer Road Correctional Facility (OTF)
- MI DOC - Carson City Correctional Facility (DRF)
Federal Facilities in Michigan
1 facilityMichigan County Jails
84 facilities- Alcona County Jail
- Alger County Jail
- Allegan County MI Jail
- Alpena County Jail
- Antrim County Correctional Facility
Michigan Department of Corrections
Michigan's OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) searches by MDOC number or name. Michigan's prison population has declined significantly from a peak near 50,000 - the state has been a leader in parole reform and reducing recidivism.
The official inmate search is available at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.aspx. FCI Milan and FCI Morgantown serve Michigan federal inmates.
Visitation in Michigan Facilities
MDOC visitor approval requires a Visitor Information Form. Processing takes 2 - 4 weeks. Background checks for adult visitors. Michigan has relatively progressive family visiting policies.
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Michigan prison directory.
Sending Mail to Michigan Inmates
MDOC mail requires the MDOC number. Michigan has transitioned most facilities to a digital mail system - physical mail is scanned at a central location and delivered electronically. Physical photos and letters are NOT delivered to inmates - only digital versions. Understand this before sending anything.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Michigan facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from Michigan Facilities
Michigan is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds the MDOC contract for most facilities.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our Michigan prison directory.
Sending Money to Michigan Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Michigan:
- JPay (primary for MDOC)
- Money orders - check if still accepted given digital mail transition
- Lobby kiosks at some facilities
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in Michigan
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Michigan:
- Michigan DOC Reentry - Official reentry programs
- Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative - Statewide reentry coordination
- Legal Services of South Central Michigan - Free civil legal help including reentry
- Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries - Reentry housing and services in Detroit
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Prisons
Does Michigan really scan all mail?
Yes - Michigan DOC has implemented a near-universal centralized mail scanning system. Physical mail sent to virtually any MDOC facility is intercepted at a central scanning facility rather than going directly to the prison. There, the envelope is opened, the contents are scanned, and the digital image is delivered to the inmate's tablet device. The physical original is typically destroyed. Your handwriting, the paper you chose, the card stock you selected - none of it reaches the inmate. They see your words on a screen. For many families this represents a real emotional loss - the tangible connection of a physical letter is gone. If you want to send mail, submitting it digitally through JPay's messaging system is often faster, cheaper, and functionally identical to what physical mail becomes after scanning anyway. Understand this before investing in physical cards or letters.
What is MDOC's OTIS system?
OTIS stands for Offender Tracking Information System - the Michigan DOC's public-facing inmate database at mdocweb.state.mi.us. OTIS allows you to search for any MDOC inmate by name or MDOC number and returns current facility assignment, security level, projected release date, and offense information. It updates within 1 - 2 business days of any transfer. OTIS is one of the more detailed and user-friendly public inmate search systems in the country - Michigan has invested in making it accessible. Bookmark it and check it regularly if your inmate is approaching a program change, transfer, or release date. If OTIS shows your inmate at a facility that seems inconsistent with what you've been told, trust OTIS - it reflects official DOC records.
What is the MDOC number?
The MDOC number is the unique identification number assigned to every person sentenced to Michigan state prison. Even with Michigan's centralized mail scanning system - where physical mail is converted to digital delivery - the MDOC number is still required on the envelope or digital submission. Find the MDOC number through the OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us. It also appears on all MDOC paperwork and court sentencing records. Keep it written down and accessible - you'll need it for JPay deposits, calls to the facility or MDOC central office, and all correspondence regardless of how it's delivered.
Does Michigan have free prison phone calls?
No - Michigan has not eliminated phone call fees for state inmates. Securus Technologies holds the MDOC contract for most facilities. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps reduced per-minute rates, but calls in Michigan are still charged per minute. Michigan advocacy organizations have documented the financial burden phone costs impose on families, particularly given the geographic spread of Michigan's 30 state facilities across both peninsulas. With MDOC's mail scanning system converting letters to digital delivery, phone calls take on extra importance as a form of genuine human connection - making the cost issue more acute for Michigan families. If calls are unaffordable, JPay's tablet-based messaging system provides a lower-cost text alternative at most MDOC facilities.
What is FCI Milan?
FCI Milan is a federal correctional institution in Milan, Michigan - a low-security facility in Washtenaw County, about 45 miles southwest of Detroit. It houses federal inmates from Michigan and surrounding states, primarily those convicted of nonviolent offenses with relatively shorter sentences. FCI Milan is a Bureau of Prisons facility - completely separate from MDOC. If your family member has a federal conviction and is at Milan, use the BOP inmate locator at bop.gov and contact FCI Milan directly at 734-439-1511 for facility-specific visiting and mail information. Federal facilities have their own visitor registration systems and policies independent of the Michigan state system.
Why has Michigan's prison population declined so much?
Michigan's prison population peaked at approximately 51,000 inmates in 2007 and has declined to approximately 33,000 - a reduction of nearly 35% over roughly 18 years. Contributing factors include significant sentencing reform legislation, expanded parole through risk-assessment tools, prison closures, reduced crime rates, and sustained political consensus across both parties supporting smarter incarceration practices. Michigan has closed more than a dozen prisons during this period, saving hundreds of millions annually. Researchers and policy organizations study Michigan's experience as a case study in responsible population reduction. The Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative at michigan.gov/mpri is one of the better-resourced state reentry programs in the country and is worth knowing about as a resource for planning your family member's return.