New Jersey Inmate Search

We are glad you came to this page. Our goal is to give you the best help for your New Jersey Inmate Search. We will show you the tools and steps you need. We aim to make this process clear for you.

For those ready to begin a New Jersey Inmate Search immediately, use https://newjerseyinmaterecords.com/. This site offers a direct way to look for inmate details. It can be a fast starting point if you have the needed name or ID. Visit the site if you want to start your search right now without reading further guides first. It is set up to help you find records fast.

New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) Offender Search

Official NJDOC Online Tool

You can find people held in state prisons. Use the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) tool. It is called the Offender Search Engine. This tool lists adults under NJDOC control. It shows inmates now in state prisons. It also shows those let go in the past year. You can search in a few ways. Use the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) number. Or use the first and last name. You can add birth date, race, or sex to help.

The search results give key facts. You will see the inmate's full name. Their SBI number is shown. It lists the prison where they are held. You can see sentence start and end dates. A mug shot may be shown. The tool is free to use. Find it on the NJDOC official site. Look under Offender Information.

The main NJDOC site provides access. Go to the main page. Look for sections like "Offender Information". You should find the "Offender Search Engine" link there. This is the main path to the state prison data. It helps find where someone is. It tells you about their state sentence. Keep the person's full name handy. Know their date of birth if you can. This makes the search work best. The site is updated often. But small delays can occur. Check back if you need the most current facts.

NJDOC Contact Information

Need help? Call the NJDOC main office.

• Address: Whittlesey Road, PO Box 863, Trenton, NJ 08625

• Main Phone: (609) 292-4036

• General Information: (609) 826-5600

• Hours: Office hours are usually 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This is Monday through Friday. State holidays may affect hours. It is best to call during these times.

Searching New Jersey County Jails

Why Search County Jails?

People are often held in county jails first. This is after an arrest. They may stay there before trial. Some serve short terms in county jail. These are usually less than one year. State prisons hold those with long terms. So, check county jails for recent arrests. Also check for those serving short times. A New Jersey Inmate Search may need to check both state and county.

Finding County Inmates

How you find a county inmate can change. It depends on the county. Many large counties have online tools. These tools list current inmates. You can search by name on their sites. These are often run by the County Sheriff's Office. They manage the county jails. Some smaller counties do not have online search. You may need to call the jail directly. Or visit the Sheriff's office. They can tell you if someone is there. Always check the specific county's website first. Look for Sheriff or Corrections links.

Examples of County Search Methods & Contacts

Each county has its own system. Some make it easy to search online. Others need a phone call. It is key to know which county the person might be in. If someone was just arrested, they are likely in that county's jail. People serving sentences under a year are also in county jails. Here are details for some NJ counties:

• Middlesex County: Offers an online inmate lookup. Find the link on their county website. Go to Public Safety and Health, then Adult Corrections.

  • Website: https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/government/departments/department-of-public-safety-and-health/office-of-adult-correction-and-youth-services/adult-corrections/inmate-lookup 

• Ocean County: Provides an online Inmate Lookup Tool. You can search by name or ID number.

  • Website: https://coroms.co.ocean.nj.us:8087/IML 

• Cape May County: The Sheriff posts a daily inmate list online. It shows name, age, ID, charges, bail. The list updates on weekdays.

  • Website: https://capemaycountynj.gov/1368/Current-Inmate 

  • Jail Records Phone: (609) 465-1233 (Confirm bail info here)

  • Address: 9 North Main Street, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

• Burlington County: Has an online inmate search results page. Call for more detailed information.

  • Website: https://bcnj.co.burlington.nj.us/pages/jl/inmatesearch 

  • Information Phone: (609) 265-5993

• Monmouth County: The Sheriff’s Office has an online Inmate Search feature.

  • Website: https://www.mcsonj.org/divisions/corrections/inmate-search/ 

• Morris County: No online search tool found in results. Contact the jail records.

  • Jail Records Phone: (973) 631-5174

  • Address: Morris County Correctional Facility, 43 John Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

  • Website: https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Departments/Jail 

• Somerset County: No online search tool found in results. Contact the Corrections Division.

  • Jail Phone: (908) 231-7150

  • Address: 40 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876

  • Website: https://www.somersetcountynj.gov/government/elected-officials/sheriff-s-office/corrections-division 

NJDOC Office of County Services Contact

The NJDOC oversees county jails too. They have an Office of County Services. This office handles standards and inspections. You might contact them for general county info. Or if you have issues with a county facility.

• Email: County.Inspections-Ops@doc.nj.gov 

• Phone: (609) 292-4036 Ext. 5458

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator

When to Use

Is the person charged with a federal crime? They will not be in state or county jails. They will be in a federal prison. These are run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Use the BOP Inmate Locator in these cases. This search covers the whole country.

Accessing the BOP Tool

The BOP has a free online tool. You can search for any federal inmate.

• Website: https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ 

Search Options

You can search the BOP tool in two ways.

• By Number: Use the inmate's BOP register number. Or use their DCDC, FBI, or INS number.

• By Name: Use the inmate's first and last name. You can add race, age, and sex. This helps narrow the list.

Data Provided

The BOP locator gives key details. It shows the inmate's name and register number. It lists their age, race, and sex. It tells you the name and location of the federal facility. It provides a projected release date. If released, it shows the date they left.

Limitations

The BOP tool has limits. It only holds data for inmates in custody since 1982. For records before 1982, contact the National Archives. The info is updated daily but may have slight delays. Make sure your pop-up blocker is off.

Using the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) for Records

Understanding OPRA (N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.)

Sometimes online tools do not have all you need. You might want older records. Or need specific case files. New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA) can help. This law gives the public the right to access government records. This includes many correction records. Not all records are public. Some have limits due to privacy or safety. OPRA details what you can get. And how agencies must respond.

The law aims for open government. It defines what a government record is. It sets rules for asking for records. It lays out reasons why a record might be kept private. For full details, see the law itself.

• Statute Link: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/laws-constitution/statutes/title-47/section-47-1a-1 (This links to the start of the OPRA statute)

Making an OPRA Request

To use OPRA, you must make a formal request. You need to fill out an OPRA request form. You must send it to the right records custodian. This is the person in charge of records at that agency. Each agency (like NJDOC, or a County Sheriff) has one. You can often find forms online. Deliver the form in person, by mail, or sometimes email. Fax is usually not accepted. Phone calls do not count as OPRA requests. Be specific about the records you seek. Give names, dates, and case numbers if known.

• NJDOC: Check the NJDOC website for their specific OPRA process or contact info. General state contact info for OPRA requests can be found via the Attorney General's site: https://www.njoag.gov/contact/public-records-request/ 

• NJ State Parole Board: They have a specific OPRA form.

  • Form Link: https://www.nj.gov/parole/docs/opra.pdf 

• County Jails: Check the county or sheriff's website for their OPRA form and custodian contact.

Potential Costs

Getting records may cost money. Agencies charge for copies. Fees are set by law. Usually $0.05 per letter size page. Or $0.07 per legal size page. If a request takes a lot of time or effort, extra fees may apply. This is called a special service charge. You will be told about costs before they happen. Large requests may need a deposit. Payment is often by cash, check, or money order. Make it payable to the State of New Jersey or the county agency.

Response Timelines and Appeals

Agencies must act on your request fast. By law, they have seven business days. This is from when the custodian gets your form. They must grant access, deny it, or ask for more time. If a record is in storage, they will tell you when it can be ready. If your request is denied, they must say why in writing.

You can fight a denial. You have two choices. File a complaint with the Government Records Council (GRC). Or file a case in NJ Superior Court. The GRC helps settle OPRA fights.

• GRC Contact: Toll-free 866-850-0511 or visit https://www.nj.gov/grc/ 

Additional Services and Information

Inmate Visitation

Visiting someone in jail requires following rules. These rules protect safety and order. Both state prisons and county jails have rules.

• NJDOC: The NJDOC has set visiting hours and rules. You likely need to be on an approved list. You must schedule visits ahead of time. Check the NJDOC website for current rules, dress code, and ID needs. Look for "Visiting NJDOC Facilities".

  • Info Path: Start at https://www.nj.gov/corrections/ and look for Visitation sections.

• County Jails: Rules differ greatly by county. Go to the specific county jail or Sheriff's website. Or call the jail directly. They will tell you the hours, rules, and how to schedule visits. Some may offer video visits.

Sending Funds and Mail

Inmates can often receive money and mail. Strict rules apply.

• NJDOC: Uses ViaPath Technologies for money transfers and maybe electronic messages. This replaced JPay. Mail must follow rules about content and format. Check the NJDOC site for the latest on sending funds and mail rules.

  • ViaPath Info: https://www.nj.gov/corrections/pages/viapath.html 

• County Jails: Each jail has its own vendor or process. Check the jail website or call them. They will tell you how to send money or mail. Using the wrong service means the inmate won't get it.

Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE)

Crime victims have rights in New Jersey. VINE is a free service. It lets victims track an offender's custody status. You can get alerts by phone or email. This happens if an inmate is moved, released, or escapes.

• Access VINE: https://www.vinelink.com/ (Select New Jersey)

Parole Details

After prison, some inmates get parole. The NJ State Parole Board oversees this. They decide on parole release. They supervise parolees in the community. They also handle parole records.

• NJ State Parole Board Website: https://www.nj.gov/parole/ 

• General Information: (609) 292-4257

• Public Information Email: SPB-Public-Info-Office@spb.nj.gov 

• Parolee Search: The Parole Board website directs users to the NJDOC Offender Search tool for parolee status. You can also request specific parole info via email or OPRA.

Helpful Resources

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