Michigan Inmate Search

We thank you for visiting this page. Our goal is to help you with your Michigan Inmate Search. We have gathered key facts and links. This guide aims to give you the best help for finding the info you need in the state.

If you want to start a Michigan Inmate Search now, https://michiganofficialrecords.com/inmate-search/ provides a way to begin your search right away. This resource can help you access public records efficiently. Please note that using such services is subject to their terms and privacy policies. Official state and county resources are detailed below for direct searching.

Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) Inmate Search

The main place for state prison inmate data is the MDOC. They run the state's prisons. They keep track of many people under their watch. This does not mean all jailed people in the state. Only those in state run sites are listed here. County jails are run by each county sheriff.

Using the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS)

The MDOC uses a tool called OTIS. This stands for Offender Tracking Information System. It is online. It is free to use. You can find it at the official MDOC site. This system holds data about state prisoners. It also lists parolees and some probationers. It tracks those under MDOC care now. It also lists those let go in the past three years.

Go here to search: https://www.michigan.gov/corrections/otis. You can look for a person by name. Their MDOC number also works well. You can add age, race, or sex. This may narrow the results. More data helps find the right person fast. The system shows the person's MDOC number. It lists their name and any known aliases. You can see their date of birth. Race and gender are shown. It lists their current prison location if they are locked up. Their supervision status is key. This tells if they are in prison, on parole, or let go. Dates for the sentence are often there. A photo may be shown if one was taken and is in the system.

OTIS is a great tool but has limits. It does not list people in county jails. It does not list city lockup inmates. Federal prisoners are not in OTIS. People let go more than three years ago are not listed. For older data, try the Michigan State Police ICHAT tool. OTIS also does not list youth offenders. You must look in other places for these groups. The focus is state level adult offenders.

Contacting MDOC Directly

You may need to reach the MDOC by mail or form. This is useful for official record copies. You might need older records too. OTIS data goes back mainly to 1982. For older info, you must ask. The MDOC main office is in Lansing.

MDOC Headquarters Address: Grandview Plaza 206 E. Michigan Ave P. O Box 30003 Lansing, MI 48909

You can also use their online contact forms. Find these on the MDOC website. For records from before 1982, contact the Archives of Michigan. Their phone is (517) 373–1408. Their email is archives@michigan.gov. Ask them about old prison files. Be clear in your request. Give the full name and date of birth if you know it. The MDOC number helps a lot too.

County Jail Inmate Search in Michigan

People can be held in county jails too. These are not state prisons. They are run by county sheriffs. The rules and search ways can change by county.

Why Search County Jails?

County jails hold people for different reasons than state prisons. Some serve short terms there. This is often one year or less. Some are held while they wait for trial. They have not been found guilty yet. Some wait for sentence after a plea or trial. OTIS will not show these people. You must check the county jail system. Each county runs its own jail. There is no single state list for all county jails. You must find the right county first.

How to Search County Jails

Each of the 83 counties in Michigan may do things its own way. The County Sheriff is usually in charge of the jail. Most Sheriff offices have websites now. Many sites offer an online inmate lookup tool. This is often the best first step. Look for links like "Inmate Search," "Jail Roster," or "Inmate Lookup."

To search, you typically need the person's name. Last name is key. First name helps narrow it down. Some systems let you search by date of birth. Some use a booking number. If the online tool does not work, call the Sheriff's office. Ask for the jail records or inmate information line. They can tell you how to get info. Some may require a written request form. This is less common for basic lookup.

Major County Jail Contacts & Online Search Links

Here are links and contacts for some large counties. Many others exist. Check the specific county sheriff's site if not listed.

• Wayne County: The Sheriff's main office is at 4747 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. Phone: (313) 224-2222. Wayne County has multiple jail sites. Check the Wayne County Sheriff's Office website for specific jail division contacts and online lookup options if available. Finding someone here might mean checking which jail they are in first. Call the main line for guidance.

• Oakland County: Uses the CLEMIS system. Search here: https://apps.clemis.org/ClemisInmLoc. The jail address is 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Bldg 38E, Pontiac, MI 48341. Phone: 248-858-1800. This system often includes a mugshot and charge data. It covers inmates booked at the Oakland County Jail.

• Macomb County: Online search: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://apps.macombgov.org/sheriffsoffice/InmateLookup/Default2.aspx. The jail address is 43565 Elizabeth Rd, Mt Clemens, MI 48043. Main Sheriff Phone: (586) 469-5151. Direct Inmate Info Line: (586) 307-9475. The online tool lets you search by name. It shows current inmates.

• Kent County: Online search: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1280/Inmate-Lookup. The Kent County Correctional Facility address is 703 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone for Inmate Information: 616-632-6300. The county site also provides info on VINElink (victim notification). The jail viewer shows inmate details, photos, and charges.

• Kalamazoo County: Online search: https://www.kalcounty.gov/1215/Inmate-Search. The jail address is 1500 Lamont Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. Non-Emergency Sheriff Phone: 269-488-8911. The search tool lets you find inmates by name, subject number, or booking number. You can also filter by custody status and booking date range.

• Muskegon County: Locate Inmate page: https://co.muskegon.mi.us/420/Locate-an-Inmate. Note: Their site sometimes says the inmate search tool is down. Check the link for current status. Sheriff's Office Address: 990 Terrace Street STE 450, 4th Floor, Muskegon, MI 49442. Phone: 231-724-6351. The page also links to MDOC and federal searches.

• Berrien County: Online search: https://www.berriencounty.org/558/Inmate-Search. Jail Address: 919 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Jail Phone: 269-983-7141, ext. 7777. The search requires last name. First name is optional. It shows current inmates and their booking dates. A disclaimer notes charges are accusations until proven guilty.

• Isabella County: Online search: https://www.isabellacounty.org/law-justice/sheriffs-office/jail-inmate-services/inmate-search/. Sheriff's Office Address: 200 N Main St, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858. Phone: (989) 772-5911. Fax: (989) 773-0026. Their site links to an external search tool (likely VINE or similar partner).

• Monroe County: Online search via Zuercher Portal: https://www.co.monroe.mi.us/891/Inmate-Lookup. Sheriff's Office Address: 100 E 2nd St, Monroe, MI 48161. Main Phone: (734) 240-7400. Jail Admin Phone: (734) 240-7430. The portal provides inmate details, mugshots, and charges for those booked at the Monroe County Jail.

City Jail & Lockup Information

Some cities run their own small jails or lockups. These are often used for short holds. This might be right after an arrest. Or it could be for minor local code issues. These are not part of the county jail system. They are also not part of the state MDOC system.

To find someone in a city jail, contact that city's police department. Check the police department website first. They might list current detainees. If not, call their non-emergency phone number. Ask about inmate information or jail operations. For example, the Detroit Police Department oversees the Detroit Detention Center. You would need to contact them directly for info. Records access varies greatly by city.

Federal Inmate Search (Bureau of Prisons - BOP)

If the person faced federal charges, they will not be in OTIS or county systems. Federal crimes lead to time in federal prisons. These are run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Michigan has several federal sites. But the BOP system covers the whole country.

Use the BOP Inmate Locator tool: https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/. You can search in two ways. One way is by number. This includes BOP register number, DCDC number, FBI number, or INS number. The other way is by name. You need the first and last name. Adding middle name, race, age, and sex helps make the search precise. The search results show the inmate's name, BOP number, age, race, sex, and current location. It may also show a projected release date if one is known.

Using VINElink for Victim Notification

VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. This is a service mainly for crime victims. It lets them track the custody status of an offender. Users can get alerts if an offender is moved. They can get alerts if the person is released. Or if they escape.

This service covers many county jails and state prisons. You can sign up online. Or you can call a toll-free number. You choose phone or email alerts. It is free and confidential. The Michigan VINElink portal is here: https://vinelink.vineapps.com/state/MI/ENGLISH. The toll-free number for Michigan VINE is 800-770-7657. Remember that VINE data changes fast. It relies on info given by jails and prisons. Always confirm identity with care, especially for legal needs. Fingerprints are the surest way. VINE is a good tool for staying aware of status changes.

Understanding Michigan Inmate Records

Inmate records contain key details. Access rules are set by state law. Knowing what is public helps your search.

Public Access to Records

In Michigan, inmate records are mostly public. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guides this. This law says government records should be open. This includes MDOC state prison files. It also includes county jail records kept by Sheriffs.

You have a right to see and copy most inmate data. However, some parts might be kept private. FOIA lists things that can be exempt. This might include some health data. It might shield some victim info. Juvenile records have strong privacy rules too. They are usually not public. Basic details like name, crime, location, and status are usually public for adults.

Common Information Found

When you search OTIS or county systems, you often find similar data points. These help identify the person and their situation. Look for these items:

• Full Name: The legal name and any known aliases.

• Identification Number: MDOC number for state prisoners. Booking number for county jails.

• Personal Details: Date of Birth, Race, Gender (Sex).

• Mugshot: A booking photo, often available in OTIS and many county lookups.

• Current Location: The specific prison or jail where they are held.

• Status: Tells if they are active in prison, on parole, probation, discharged, or maybe escaped or absconded.

• Sentence Information: Details about the crime(s). This often includes the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) number. It shows sentence length and start date.

• Dates: Key dates like sentence start, earliest release date, maximum end date, parole eligibility date.

Record Accuracy

The data in these systems is updated often. But it might not be instant. There can be short delays. Use the information as a guide. Do not rely on it alone for vital legal choices. Data entry errors can occur. Names can be spelled wrong. Dates might be off. If identity is key, use official methods. Fingerprint checks are the most sure way to confirm who someone is. The online lookups provide good leads. But always verify key facts if needed.

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