Release date of an inmate is accessible to the public, and can be obtained with a phone call or internet search. Whether you are a family member planning a homecoming, or you are a victim of a crime committed by the inmate, knowing when she or he will be released is important information. To know an inmate’s release date, you are able to visit www.bop.gov.
Federal Inmate Release Dates
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has a site at www.bop.gov. Their “Find an Inmate” page makes it easy to find an inmate in any federal prison. With limited functionality, you are able to search by the inmate’s ID number from:
- Bureau of Prisons (BOP) registered
- FBI
- Department of Corrections
- Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS)
Also, there is a name search option that ask you to enter information about the offender’s first name, middle name, last name, race, sex and age to make the search more efficient. The site notes that federal inmate release dates may change based on the First Step Act, that the offenders be eligible for early release or reduced sentencing based on good conduct. Remember this if you are preparing for an inmate’s release. For note: Any inmates incarcerated after 1982 are entered into this system.
How to know the release date of the federal offender?
Find by Number
- At the first step, you are able to visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator page.
- After that, click at Find by number.
- Then, you are going to see the following search option:
a. BOP Registered Number
b. DCDC Number
c. FBI Number
d. INS Number
- The next step that you have to do is to enter a number.
- Now, you are able to click the Search button.
- You are going to receive the results of your search, that will include the full name, gender, age, release date and location of the federal inmate. If an offender is still under sentence, you are going to see a blue link in the location results.
- If a blue location link is available, clicking on it can take you to the location of the prisoner’s federal correction facility, including a full address, email address and telephone number. Also, you are going to find information on federal prison visiting hours and how to contact the inmates.
Find by Name
- At the first step, you are able to visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator page.
- After that, click at Find by name.
- Now, you have to enter a first name, middle name, last name, race, sex and age of the federal offender.
- Afterwards, you are able to click the Search button.
- You are going to receive the results of your search, that will include the full name, gender, age, release date and location of the federal inmate. If an offender is still under sentence, you are going to see a blue link in the location results.
- If a blue location link is available, clicking on it can take you to the location of the prisoner’s federal correction facility, including a full address, email address and telephone number. Also, you are going to find information on federal prison visiting hours and how to contact the inmates.
DOC Release Dates (State)
If the inmate you are looking for is in prison in a state facility, you are able to visit that state’s Department of Corrections (DOC) site and look for the online search function. It varies by state, but several Department of Corrections (DOC) sites have advanced search functions. If so, you are going to sort through physical descriptions and the offense. A detailed search query can narrow down the results quickly, primarily in states with large prison populations.
To find the Department of Corrections (DOC) release date search function, you are able to type the state, followed by “DOC release dates” into your search engine. Several states are going to refer to those search functions as Offender Locator, Offender Database Search, or Search for Inmates. If the state’s site does not have an online search feature, there will be a phone number to call and get know the release date or other offender information.
County and City Jail Release Dates
If the inmate is in prison in a smaller facility, like a county jail, you are able to call the county clerk. Some county and city jails also have online search functions. Those search queries are similar to the Department of Corrections functions, however there will be fewer results to sift through. Simply, you are able to type the county, followed by “inmate release” into your search engine. Some jurisdictions are going to refer to their search function as Inmate Locator, Inmate Release Information Search, or Jail and Arrest Information. Those databases will house information like inmate release dates, inmate housing information, court dates, and criminal charges. Usually, information about inmates is updated in the county’s database every 24 hours. For note: Not all county facilities will give inmate release dates.
How to be notified of an inmate’s release date?
Even if you know when an inmate’s release date is, it may change. Sometimes the inmate’s charges are dropped. Other times they are able to be released from the facility into a program or on bond. Now, you may want to be notified of an inmate’s release date. For this case, you are able to search for an inmate through vinelink.com. You will be able to sign up to receive notifications if an incarcerated person’s status changes. Vinelink is a popular, reputable resource to use for inmate release information.
Another method to be notified about an offender’s release date is to go through The Department of Corrections Victim Services. You are going to be contacted over the phone or by mail. Usually, to be eligible to receive these notifications, you have to be the victim of a crime the inmate committed or an immediate family member of the victim.
