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

Texas has 90 correctional facilities under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The state also signed contracts with 9 other private establishments. State-owned and operated facilities are divided into six regions across the state.

Texas has a large population of inmates in state prisons (more than 163,000), another 55,000 in local prisons, and 27,000 in federal prisons. 

Due to the overwhelming numbers, there is a great deal of overcrowding in Texas prisons. The state also has many local county jails that house inmates awaiting trial and those serving short sentences.

Texas Inmate Search: General Information

Texas prisoner records are a collection of information that follows a person throughout the criminal justice process. These records may include mugshots, fingerprint evidence, police reports and reports, arrest logs, court logs, confinement facility records, DNA, and audio and video recordings, as well as other evidence. 

Most Texas prisoner records will contain basic information such as the offender's name, birth date, race, sex, age, physical description (Hair and Eye color, Height, Weight, Tattoo, Defining Marks and Scars), criminal charges, sentence, and confinement information.

While some Texas prison records are easy to locate, others may be more difficult to find. The state agency responsible for all Texas prison, facility, and prisoner records is the Texas Department of criminal justice.

There are several options to perform an inmate search in Texas; here we will explain how to perform a Texas inmate search, with both offline and online methods.

Offline Inmate Search in Texas

To carry out an offline inmate search in Texas, it is necessary to identify the relevant correctional facility first. Texas has multiple county jails, state prisons, and federal detention centers, so it is useful to have an idea of the county or federal jurisdiction in which the person was convicted or is being held. 

If the inmate is in a county jail, get in touch with the sheriff's office of that county. They should be able to provide details about current inmates, and can likely offer help in locating the individual you are looking for. You can access contact information for each county's sheriff's office on their official website or through a directory.

You can contact the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if you think the person is in a state prison. If you're looking for an offline method of searching for inmates, you can call the general information line at the TDCJ, but if you're looking for an online method, you can use the Offender Locator system. They are able to give you the information over the phone.

Before contacting the appropriate authorities, you should gather as much information as you can about the prisoner. The full name, date of birth, any known aliases, and any additional identifying details such as the inmate's booking number are included. It will help the search process if you provide accurate and detailed information.

Once you have identified the appropriate facility, make a phone call to the appropriate authority. Provide the details of the inmates to the representative. They will provide you with the necessary information about the inmate's current location, status, charges, and sentencing when you search their database or records.

The authorities will guide you on the next steps, such as visiting hours, sending mail, or any other procedures you might need to follow. To maintain compliance with their policies, be sure to follow their instructions.

Texas Online Inmate Search

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

1. Access the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) website: Open your web browser and go to the official TDCJ website. You can do this by searching for "Texas Department of Criminal Justice" or directly entering "tdcj.texas.gov" in the address bar.

2. Navigate to the "Offender Information Search" page: Once you are on the TDCJ website, look for the "Offender Information Search" or a similar link. This feature allows you to search for inmates incarcerated in Texas state prisons.

3. Enter the inmate's information: On the "Offender Information Search" page, you will find various search fields. Enter the required information to narrow down your search. Typically, you will need to provide the inmate's first and last name, TDCJ number (if known), or the inmate's date of birth. Some websites may also include additional fields, such as race or gender, to further refine the search.

4. Perform the search: After entering the relevant information, click on the "Search" or "Submit" button to initiate the search. The system will query the database and display the results based on the provided criteria.

5. Review the search results: The search results will typically include a list of inmates matching the entered information. Each result may include details such as the inmate's full name, TDCJ number, location, conviction offense, projected release date, and more.

6. Explore inmate details: Click on the specific inmate's name or identification number to access more detailed information. This may include additional personal details, current facility location, offense history, disciplinary records, and other relevant information.

7. Note important information: Take note of the inmate's details, such as the TDCJ number, current location, projected release date, and any other relevant information you may require.

Third-Party Inmate Locator Websites

In addition to the official "Texas inmate search" system provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), you can also use the following method to perform an online inmate search in Texas:

1. Utilize third-party inmate search websites: There are several reliable third-party websites that aggregate inmate information from various correctional facilities and provide comprehensive inmate search services. These websites can often search across multiple jurisdictions and provide a wider range of results. One example of such a website is "Inmate Locator" (www.inmatelocator.org), which allows you to search for inmates in Texas and other states.

Here's how you can use a third-party inmate search website to perform an online inmate search in Texas:

a. Visit the website: Open your web browser and navigate to the website you choose for the inmate search, such as "Inmate Locator" (www.inmatelocator.org).

b. Locate the search feature: Look for the search bar or search feature on the website's homepage. It is typically prominently displayed to facilitate easy access.

c. Enter the inmate's information: Enter the required inmate details in the provided search fields. These details typically include the inmate's first and last name, date of birth, and any other available identifying information.

d. Initiate the search: Click on the "Search" or "Submit" button to start the search process. The website will query its database and display the results based on the information provided.

e. Review the search results: The website will present you with a list of inmates matching the entered criteria. Each result may include information such as the inmate's full name, location, booking date, charges, and other relevant details.

f. Explore inmate details: Click on the specific inmate's name or identifier to access more detailed information. This may include additional personal information, facility details, booking photos, and in some cases, links to official government websites for further verification.

It's important to note that while third-party websites can be convenient for inmate searches, the information they provide may not always be up-to-date or complete. 

Therefore, it's advisable to cross-reference the information obtained from these websites with official sources like the TDCJ website or directly contact the relevant authorities for verification.