Thank you for visiting. We aim to help you with your Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search. We have gathered key facts. Our goal is to make your search easy. Find the data you need fast. Let us guide you through the state's system.
To start your Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search right now, use the official tools provided by the state. For quick access and to begin searching immediately, go to https://marylandinmaterecords.com/maryland-doc-dpscs-inmate-search/. This resource can help you find the person you are looking for within the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services system. It is designed to simplify the process and provide relevant details quickly. Using this link may streamline your search efforts significantly.
The main way to find someone in state custody is the official locator. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) runs this tool. You can find it on their site. Go to the DPSCS Incarcerated Individual Locator. This is the most direct path. It gives public access to housing data. It covers those in Division of Correction sites. It also includes Patuxent Institution. Some short-term offenders may be in Division of Pretrial and Detention Services sites. Note that not all persons in DPSCS care show up here.
To use the Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search, you need some basic facts. The tool asks for the person's name. You must input the first and last name. Middle names or initials can help. But they are not always needed. Using just the first and last name works best. The search looks for an exact match. So, spelling is key. Aliases will not work in this search field. Sometimes, you might know an ID number. The State Identification Number (SID) can be used. But the main search fields are for names. Having the full, correct name is the best way to start. This helps the system find the right person.
Using the Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search is simple. First, go to the official locator page. Find the search boxes. One is for the first name. The other is for the last name. Type the exact first name. Then type the exact last name. Check your spelling. Click the search button. The results will show people matching the names. It will list their ID and location. If you get too many names, add a middle initial if you know it. If you find the person, click their name for more details if available. The process is quick. It gives fast housing data.
When you do a Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search, you will see ID numbers. Each person in the system gets a unique number. The main one is often the DOC ID. This helps track them in the state prison system. You might also see a State Identification Number (SID). This number is often linked to their criminal record history in Maryland. Law enforcement uses the SID. Knowing these numbers can help. It helps when calling or writing. It ensures you are asking about the right person. These numbers are key identifiers within the correctional system. The search result usually shows at least one main ID number.
The primary goal of the Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search tool is location. It tells you where the person is housed. This means the specific prison or correctional facility. The result will list the facility name. For example, it might say Jessup Correctional Institution or Roxbury Correctional Institution. Knowing the exact place is vital. It is needed for sending mail. It is needed for planning visits. It helps for sending funds. Facility assignments can change. The locator shows the current housing unit. Check back often if you need up-to-date data. This locator includes Division of Correction sites and Patuxent Institution. Some individuals at Division of Pretrial and Detention Services might also appear, but not all.
The Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search may show some details about why the person is there. This is commitment information. It can include the offenses or charges. It might list the length of the sentence. However, the amount of detail can vary. The online tool focuses mostly on location. For detailed court records or conviction data, you may need other resources. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is a separate tool. It provides public access to court case records. The DPSCS locator offers basic data about their current state custody commitment. It does not give full legal history.
The Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search sometimes includes release dates. These dates are often tentative. They are projections. They can change for many reasons. Good conduct time might reduce the stay. Parole decisions affect release. Court rulings can alter sentences. New charges could extend time. So, treat any listed release date as an estimate. Do not rely on it as final. For victims seeking notification about release, use the VINE service. It gives more direct updates. The locator offers a possible timeframe. But always confirm through official channels if the date is critical.
The state's online Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search does not typically show mugshots. Some county jail systems might offer photos. But the statewide DPSCS tool focuses on text data. It provides names, ID numbers, and location. It might list basic facts like race or gender. But detailed physical descriptions or photos are not part of this specific locator service. If you need a photo for ID, you may need to explore other public record sources or contact the facility directly. They might have rules about sharing photos. The main goal of the state tool is finding where someone is housed.
If the online Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search does not work, call them. You can reach the main DPSCS office. The general phone number is 410-585-3300. They also have a toll-free line: 877-379-8636. Staff may be able to help find someone. This is useful if the person was recently moved. Or if they are in a facility not fully covered by the online tool. Be ready to give the person's full name. Date of birth helps too. Having an ID number (DOC ID or SID) is best. The main office address is:
Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services 6776 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215
Contacting them by phone during business hours is often effective. They can guide you or check internal records not shown online.
When calling DPSCS about an inmate, be prepared. Have the person's full legal name. Include middle name if known. Know their date of birth. If you have their DOC ID or SID number, provide it. This speeds things up. Call the main line at 410-585-3300 or 877-379-8636. Ask for help locating an individual. Explain that the online tool did not provide the information. Be clear and polite. Staff can access more detailed databases. They follow privacy rules. They may only share certain information. Usually, they can confirm custody status and location. They likely will not share release dates or case details over the phone. Business hours are generally Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM ET, but specific office hours can vary.
You can ask for inmate records by mail. This is a more formal process. It might be needed for older records or detailed reports. Write a clear letter. Include the inmate's full name. Add their date of birth. Provide their DOC ID or SID number if you have it. State what information you need. Send your request to the main DPSCS address:
Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services ATTN: Records Unit (or specific division if known) 6776 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215
There might be fees for copies. It costs 50 cents per page for certified copies. Postage costs may apply too. Small fees under one dollar might be waived. Requests can take time. Expect up to 30 days for a response. They will tell you if the request is denied. For records before the 1970s, contact the Maryland State Archives. Their address is 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Their phone is 410-260-6400.
Information from the Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search tool changes often. Data is updated regularly. But there can be delays. Recent transfers might not show up right away. Court updates take time to process. The data reflects the last update received. It may not be real-time. DPSCS aims for accuracy. But they provide the data "as is." Always verify critical information. This is true for release dates. It is also true for housing locations if planning a visit. Use the tool as a starting point. Confirm details with the facility or main office if needed. Relying solely on the online data without checks can lead to issues.
The online Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search has limits. It does not list everyone in DPSCS custody. Some short-sentenced individuals might be missed. Those housed in local detention centers but under state sentence might not appear. People recently released are removed. Escaped individuals are not listed. Federal inmates are not included; use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator for them. County jail inmates are also separate. Each county sheriff's office may have its own roster or lookup tool (e.g., Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Baltimore County). The DPSCS tool is only for state-run facilities and certain programs.
Crime victims have rights in Maryland. This includes the right to know an offender's custody status. The Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search provides location data. But VINE offers more. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free service. Victims can register to get automatic updates. These updates cover custody changes. They include transfers between facilities. They also notify about release or escape. You can register online through the Maryland VINE website. Or call them toll-free. VINE provides peace of mind. It gives timely, automated notifications. This is often better than checking the locator daily. DPSCS victim services can also assist. Call them at (410) 585-3300 and ask for Victim Services.
The central hub for Maryland corrections is DPSCS headquarters. For general questions or if you cannot find data via the Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search, contact them.
Main Address: Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services 6776 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215
Main Phone: 410-585-3300
Toll-Free: 877-379-8636
They also have a facility in Sykesville:
6852 4th Street Sykesville, MD 21784
General business hours apply for administrative offices. This is usually Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Call ahead to confirm hours for specific departments.
DPSCS has many divisions. Contacting the right one can save time. Here are a few key contacts relevant to inmate information and related services:
Office of the Secretary: 410-585-3300 (Handles overall agency matters)
Commissioner of Correction: 410-585-3302 (Oversees state correctional facilities)
Inmate Grievance Office: 410-585-3840 (Handles formal complaints from inmates)
Maryland Parole Commission: 410-585-3200 (Handles parole hearings and decisions)
Address: 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 302, Baltimore, MD 21215
Division of Parole & Probation: 410-339-5000 (Oversees community supervision)
Inmate Health Services: 410-585-3383 (Handles healthcare matters)
A full list of agency contacts is available on the DPSCS Contact By Agency page. Use this list to find the specific office you need.
Most administrative offices within DPSCS operate during standard state business hours. This is typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time. These hours apply to headquarters and division offices like Parole Commission or Human Resources. However, correctional facilities operate 24/7 for security reasons. If you need to call a specific prison, their administrative lines may follow business hours. Security desks or general facility lines (like Baltimore County's at 410-512-3200 for inmate location checks) may operate outside these times. Always call the specific number you need to verify their hours of operation, especially before visiting. The main DPSCS phone lines (410-585-3300 / 877-379-8636) are generally answered during business hours.
The Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search tells you where someone is. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search tells you why. This tool lets you look up court case information. It includes records from District and Circuit Courts. You can search by name or case number. It provides details on charges, court dates, and case status. This is public record data. It helps understand the legal background. Use this tool for criminal case history. It complements the inmate locator. Remember, the case search shows court activity. The DPSCS locator shows current custody status within the state correctional system.
The laws governing Maryland corrections are in the state statutes. The relevant section is the Correctional Services Article of the Maryland Code. You can find Maryland laws online through the Maryland General Assembly website. This article outlines DPSCS duties. It covers inmate rights and rules. It details parole and release procedures. It defines correctional facility operations. Understanding these laws provides context. It helps explain why things work the way they do. Look here for the legal basis of inmate management, sentencing, and rights within the Maryland system. This is the official source for state correctional law.
For older inmate records, the Maryland DOC DPSCS Inmate Search may not help. Current DPSCS records generally go back to the 1970s. For information on individuals incarcerated before that time, contact the Maryland State Archives. They hold historical state records. This includes older correctional documents.
Address: Maryland State Archives 350 Rowe Boulevard Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-260-6400
Toll-Free: 800-235-4045
Email: msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov
Contact them to ask about accessing historical inmate records. They have specific procedures for research requests. Their holdings are vast. They are the key resource for pre-1970s information.