Massachusetts Inmate Search: How to Perform a Massachusetts Department of Correction Inmate Search

Massachusetts Inmate Search: How to Perform a Massachusetts Department of Correction Inmate Search


There are 16 state prisons in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The state department in charge of all prisons and detainees is the Massachusetts Department of Correction.


Additionally, there are 15 local county houses of correction facilities (jails) in Massachusetts that house both short-term inmates and those who are awaiting a trial or hearing. These facilities might also be utilized as a holding area for prisoners being transferred between prisons.


Massachusetts Inmate Search: General Information


The documents, paperwork, and other pieces of information kept to track a person's passage through the Massachusetts penal system are known as Massachusetts inmate records. 

 

They frequently consist of things like arrest warrants, police reports, mug shots, fingerprints, court appearances and supporting paperwork, and records from detention centers.


There is no offender locator system available in Massachusetts for use in locating prisoners. To find someone imprisoned in the state, they advise the public to use the VINELink system. 

 

But they do point out that only "Essex County and the Massachusetts Department of Correction participate in the Massachusetts VINE program."


Along with their charges, convictions, and sentences, most inmate records also include the person's name, birth date, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, scars, tattoos, and other marks.


If you need to perform a Massachusetts inmate search, either offline or online, here you will discover how to do so.

 

hands of prisoner locked with handcuff in jail background


Inmate Search Massachusetts: The Offline Method


Performing an offline Massachusetts inmate search requires you to obtain access to the relevant records and information. Here are the steps you can take to conduct an offline Massachusetts inmate search:


1. Visit the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC) website: The MDOC maintains an online inmate search tool that provides information about inmates in its custody. However, if you prefer an offline search, you can visit the MDOC website to obtain information about the inmate you're searching for.


2. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Correction: If you don't find the information you need on the MDOC website, you can contact the department's Records Office. The Records Office can provide you with the necessary information about an inmate, such as their name, location, and sentence.


3. Contact the Massachusetts State Police: The Massachusetts State Police maintain records on individuals who have been incarcerated in the state's correctional facilities. You can contact the State Police's Criminal Information Section to obtain information about an inmate's location and status.

 

Woman's hand searching for documents at the filing cabinet


4. Visit the correctional facility: If you know which correctional facility the inmate is housed in, you can visit the facility to obtain information about the inmate. You may need to provide identification and a reason for your visit.


It's important to note that accessing information about inmates in Massachusetts requires adherence to state and federal laws regarding privacy and confidentiality. 

 

You may need to provide specific information, such as the inmate's full name and date of birth, to obtain information about them. Additionally, not all information may be available for public disclosure, and some information may be redacted or withheld for legal reasons.


Online Massachusetts Inmate Search


Massachusetts Department of Correction 


Performing an online Massachusetts inmate search is a relatively straightforward process. The Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC) maintains an online inmate search tool that allows you to search for inmates in the state's correctional facilities. Here are the steps you can take to perform an online Massachusetts inmate search:


1. Visit the Massachusetts Department of Correction website: Go to the MDOC website at www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-correction.


2. Navigate to the Inmate Search Tool: On the MDOC homepage, you will see a tab for "Inmate Search." Click on this tab to navigate to the Inmate Search tool.


3. Enter the inmate's information: Once you're on the Inmate Search page, enter the inmate's first and last name in the search fields. You can also enter their inmate identification number if you have it. If you're not sure of the exact spelling of the inmate's name, you can use the "wildcard" feature by entering a portion of their name and using an asterisk (*) to represent the unknown characters.


4. Review the search results: Once you've entered the inmate's information, click the "Search" button to review the search results. The search results will provide basic information about the inmate, including their name, age, gender, and location.


5. Click on the inmate's profile: If you see the inmate you're searching for in the search results, click on their name to view their profile. The inmate's profile will provide additional information, including their offense, sentence, release date, and the correctional facility where they're housed.


It's important to note that the information provided in the online inmate search tool may not be up-to-date or accurate in all cases. Additionally, some information may be redacted or withheld for legal reasons. If you need more information or have questions about an inmate's status, you can contact the Massachusetts Department of Correction directly.

 

3d renderer image. File cabinet with folders on the computer keyboard


Massachusetts Sheriff's Association


Another online method to search for Massachusetts inmates is through the website of the Massachusetts Sheriff's Association (MSA). The MSA maintains an online inmate locator tool that allows you to search for inmates in county jails and other local correctional facilities across Massachusetts. Here's how to use the MSA's inmate locator tool:


1. Visit the Massachusetts Sheriff's Association website: Go to the MSA website at www.mass-sheriffs.org.


2. Navigate to the Inmate Locator tool: On the MSA homepage, you will see a tab for "Inmate Locator." Click on this tab to navigate to the Inmate Locator tool.


3. Select a county or facility: Once you're on the Inmate Locator page, select the county or correctional facility where you believe the inmate is located. You can do this by clicking on the county or facility name in the list provided.


4. Enter the inmate's information: Once you've selected a county or facility, enter the inmate's first and last name in the search fields. You can also enter their booking number or booking date if you have it.


5. Review the search results: Once you've entered the inmate's information, click the "Search" button to review the search results. The search results will provide basic information about the inmate, including their name, booking number, and location.


6. Click on the inmate's profile: If you see the inmate you're searching for in the search results, click on their name to view their profile. The inmate's profile will provide additional information, including their charges, bond amount, and booking photo.


Again, it's important to note that the information provided in the MSA's inmate locator tool may not be up-to-date or accurate in all cases. If you need more information or have questions about an inmate's status, you can contact the relevant county jail or correctional facility directly.


Start a Background Check Search

Articles You Might Like