New Jersey County Inmate Search

Thank you for visiting this page. We are glad you are here. We aim to help you with your County Inmate Search in New Jersey. Our goal is to give you the facts you need. We will work hard to make your search clear and simple.

If you need to start a County Inmate Search in New Jersey right now, you can visit https://newjerseyinmaterecords.com/county-inmate-search/. This site may help you begin looking for inmate details quickly. It offers a way to search across different county areas. Remember to check official county sources too for the best results. It is always good to use more than one tool.

County Inmate Search in New Jersey: Finding Information

Finding someone in a county jail needs the right steps. Each New Jersey county may run things a bit differently. But there are common ways to look for inmate data. Knowing these ways can speed up your search. You want to get the facts you need fast.

How to Start Your County Inmate Search in New Jersey

There are a few main ways to find inmate info. You can look online. You can call the jail. Or you can go there in person. Some ways work better based on the county.

Using Online Search Tools

Many New Jersey counties now offer online inmate search tools. These are often found on the County Sheriff's Office website. Or they might be on the main county government site. You type in the person's name. Sometimes you need their date of birth too. These tools often show current inmates. They list charges and maybe bail info. Check the site often. Data gets updated, but not always in real time. Some sites update just once per day. Some counties do not have online tools. You must use other ways for those.

These online systems are very helpful. They save time and let you search from home. Most tools ask for a last name. Some need a first name too. A date of birth helps narrow the search. If you know a booking number or county ID, use that. It makes the search exact. Read any notes on the search page. They tell you how often the data is updated. They may list what info is shown. For example, Cape May County updates its list daily on weekdays. It shows the name, age, ID, date put in jail, who charged them, and bail.

Calling the County Facility

If you cannot find info online, call the jail. Find the phone number for the county jail or the Sheriff's Office Corrections Division. Ask if they can confirm if someone is held there. Be ready to give the person's full name. You might also need their date of birth. Staff can often tell you if the person is there. They might give basic booking info. They can usually give you bail details too. Calling is direct. It gives you current facts. But be patient. Staff can be busy. Call during normal business hours if you can. Some booking desks are open 24/7. Hunterdon County Corrections Booking Desk phone is 908-788-1184 and is staffed 24/7. The Cape May County Corrections Division number is 609-465-1233.

Visiting in Person

You can also go to the county jail or Sheriff's Office. This might be needed in some cases. Or if you need to post bail or deliver items. Find the facility address first. Check their visiting hours or public access hours. Bring your ID. Be ready to give the inmate's full name and date of birth. Going in person takes more time. But it can be good for complex questions. Or if you need to handle tasks like paying bail. Be sure you know the rules for entry. Some places have dress codes or limits on what you can bring.

State vs. County Inmate Searches

It is key to know the difference. Are you looking for someone in state prison? Or in a county jail? The search tools are different. State prisons hold people convicted of serious crimes. They usually have longer sentences. County jails hold people waiting for trial. Or they hold those with short sentences (often less than one year). Your "County Inmate Search in New Jersey" focuses on the jails run by each county.

New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) Inmate Locator

The NJDOC runs the state prison system. They have their own online search tool. This tool finds people in state prisons. It also lists inmates released in the past year. It does not show people currently in county jails.

• Scope: State Prison Inmates (Current & Released within 12 months)

• Information Needed: Full Name, State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) Number, Date of Birth (DOB), Gender, Race, County of Commitment. More details help narrow the search.

• Link: You can access the NJDOC Inmate Search Engine here: https://www-doc.state.nj.us/DOC_Inmate/inmatesearch.jsp

This tool is free to use. It shows details like name, SBI number, current location (which state facility), admission date, and potential release date. It also includes parolee records. Using the inmate's SBI number gives the most exact results. If you only have a name, add other details like age or race. The site shows photos to help you find the right person. Remember, this is only for state prison inmates. It will not help with a county jail search.

County Jail Inmate Locators

Each New Jersey county runs its own jail. Some counties provide online search tools. Others do not. These tools only search inmates in that specific county's jail. You must check each county's website. Look for the Sheriff's Office page. Or search the main county site for "inmate search" or "jail roster".

• Scope: Individuals currently held in a specific county jail.

• Availability: Varies greatly by county. Some have great online tools. Some have basic lists. Some offer no online search.

• Examples: Middlesex, Cape May, Ocean, Cumberland, and Union counties offer online searches. Essex County has an inmate info page but less of a direct search tool.

If a county has an online tool, it is the fastest way. If not, you must call the jail or Sheriff's Office. See the county specific section below for links and contacts. This is where your "County Inmate Search in New Jersey" efforts will focus. You might need to check more than one county if you are not sure where the person is held.

Information Needed for a County Inmate Search

To get good results, you need some basic facts. The more info you have, the better. Staff and online tools need details to find the right person.

• Full Name: Always provide the first and last name. Use the legal name if you know it. Nicknames might not work.

• Date of Birth (DOB): This helps tell apart people with the same name. It is often required for online searches.

• Booking Number: If you know this number, use it. It is unique to that specific arrest or stay. It gives exact results.

• County ID or Permanent Number: Some counties assign a permanent ID. This number stays the same across different stays in that jail. Use it if known.

Have this info ready before you search online or call. If you lack some details, use what you have. A name is the minimum needed. But just a name might give too many results. Especially if it is a common name. Adding the DOB is very useful.

Understanding Inmate Record Information

When you find an inmate record, it shows certain details. Knowing what these mean helps you understand the situation. Access is generally governed by public records laws.

What You Might Find

County jail records often include:

• Inmate Name & ID: The person's name and the jail's ID number for them.

• Booking Date / Committed Date: The date the person entered the jail for this stay.

• Charges: The crimes the person is accused of. These may be initial charges. They can change as the case moves on.

• Bail Amount / Status: The money needed for release before trial. It might say "No Bail" or "$0.00". This could mean bail has not been set yet. Or it could mean the charge does not allow bail. Or the person has finished their sentence.

• Housing Location: Where the person is kept inside the jail complex.

• Age: The inmate's current age.

• Committing Authority: The police agency or court that ordered the person jailed.

This data gives a snapshot of the person's status at the jail. It is public information. But it reflects a specific point in time.

Limitations and Updates

Keep these points in mind:

• Updates: Data is not always live. Many counties update their online lists once a day. Call the jail for the very latest info. This is vital for bail amounts. Bail can change quickly based on court actions. Cape May County notes bail shown online needs phone confirmation (609-465-1233).

• Bail Details: Bail amounts shown might not include fees. New Jersey adds a state fee ($50.00) to some bails. This fee is often not shown online. Always confirm the total bail amount needed by phone. Jails usually require exact cash for bail.

• Release Status: When an inmate is released, the online record might take time to update. A recent release may not show right away.

• Accuracy: While counties try to be accurate, errors can occur. Information should be seen as a guide, not the final legal word. Union County notes their data may change quickly and may not reflect true current status.

County-Specific Inmate Search Resources (Examples)

Each county handles inmate searches its own way. Here are details for some New Jersey counties. If your county is not listed, check their Sheriff's Office website. Or call the jail directly.

Middlesex County

• Online Lookup: Yes, available on the county website.

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

• Facility: Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center

• Contact: Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred S. Scott Phone: 732-745-3381. General County Admin Phone: 732-745-3000. Call for specific jail contact info if needed. The lookup site requires agreement to terms before searching. It covers inmates currently housed there.

Cape May County

• Online List: Yes, a daily list is posted online.

• List Link: https://capemaycountynj.gov/1368/Current-Inmate (Read the page first, then click the link at the bottom)

• Update Frequency: Once per day, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

• Facility: Cape May County Correctional Center

• Contact: Corrections Division Phone: 609-465-1233 (Call to confirm bail). Sheriff Admin: 609-463-6430.

• Address (Corrections): 125 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.

• Notes: The list shows name, age, inmate ID, committed date, authority, charges, and bail/detainer info. Bail requires exact change if paid in person. A $0.00 bail means it might be set later, no bail allowed, or the person is sentenced.

Ocean County

• Online Lookup Tool: Yes.

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

• Facility: Ocean County Department of Corrections

• Contact: Search results did not provide a direct public phone number. Check the main Ocean County Government website or Sheriff's Office page for contact details if the online tool is insufficient.

• Notes: The tool allows searching by name (First, Last, DOB) or by an identifier like Booking Number, Permanent Number, or County ID. You can choose to include released inmates in the search.

Cumberland County

• Online Lookup Tool: Yes.

• Tool Link: https://www.cumberlandcountynj.gov/doc-IPS (Click the "Search" button on the page)

• Facility: Cumberland County Jail

• Contact: Re-Entry Coordinator Phone: 856-453-4549. Medical Department (CFG): Christa Bogan 856-453-4827, Kim Segers 856-453-4844. Check the county site for general jail inquiries.

Union County

• Online Lookup: Yes, accessed after agreeing to a disclaimer.

• Disclaimer/Access Link: https://ucnj.org/sheriff/corrections/inmate-look-up-disclaimer/ 

• Facility: Union County Sheriff's Office Division of Corrections

• Contact (Written Questions): Union County Sheriff's Office Division of Corrections, ATTN: Classification Unit, 15 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207.

• Notes: The disclaimer warns that information may change quickly and might not reflect the absolute current status or location, especially for those on work release. Misuse of the information is prohibited.

Essex County

• Inmate Info Page: Yes, but mainly focuses on rules (mail, visits, funds). Less of a direct search tool was found in the top results.

• Info Page Link: https://essexdoc.com/inmate-info/

• Facility: Essex County Department of Corrections

• Contact: Search results did not provide a primary contact number for inmate status. Refer to the Essex County Sheriff's Office or Department of Corrections website for phone numbers.

• Address (Inmate Mail): P.O. Box 748, Newark, NJ 07105. (Confirm mailing address rules on their site).

Other Counties (General Approach)

If the county you need is not listed above:

1. Go to the county's official website.

2. Look for the "Sheriff's Office" section.

3. Check for links like "Inmate Search," "Jail Roster," "Corrections," or "Inmate Lookup."

4. If no online tool exists, find the phone number for the Sheriff's Office or the County Jail/Correctional Facility.

5. Call them during business hours to ask about an inmate's status.

Public Records Access in New Jersey

Finding inmate information relates to public records laws. New Jersey's key law is the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).

Open Public Records Act (OPRA) - N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.

OPRA gives the public the right to access government records. This includes many records held by county jails and sheriff's offices. Inmate booking information is generally public.

• Governs: Access to records kept by public agencies in NJ.

• Link: Read the law text here: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/opra

• Purpose: To make government more open.

However, OPRA has limits. Not every record is public. Exceptions protect privacy and safety. For example, inmate medical records, security plans, or victim information are usually not public.

Making OPRA Requests

If the info you need is not online or via phone, you might file an OPRA request.

• Form: You must usually use the agency's official OPRA request form. Many agencies have these online. You must complete, sign, and date it.

• Submission: Submit the form to the agency's designated Records Custodian. This can often be done by mail, in person, or sometimes email. Fax might not be accepted.

• Fees: Fees may apply for copying records. Usually $0.05 or $0.07 per page for standard copies. Special charges might apply for large requests or special formats.

• Response Time: Agencies must typically grant or deny access within seven business days. This timeframe can be extended if records are archived or by mutual agreement.

• Denials: If access is denied, the agency must state why in writing. You can appeal a denial to the NJ Government Records Council (GRC) or in Superior Court. (GRC Contact: 866-850-0511, https://www.nj.gov/grc/).

• Restriction: State law prevents access to records with victim personal info if the requester was convicted of a crime against that victim.

Most basic inmate status checks (if someone is jailed, charges, bail) do not need a formal OPRA request. Online tools and phone calls usually work. OPRA is more for detailed documents or if routine access fails.

Contacting County Sheriff's Offices

The County Sheriff is often in charge of the county jail. Contacting their office is key if online tools fail or you need more help.

General Directory

While a single statewide directory for all Sheriff inmate info lines wasn't prominent in top search results, individual county websites are the best source. The New Jersey Department of Corrections site (https://www.nj.gov/corrections/) lists County Services contacts which might be helpful.

Specific County Examples:

• Mercer County Sheriff:

  • Main Office: 609-989-6125

  • Communications (After Hours/Weekends): 609-989-6111

  • Warrants: 609-989-6134 / 609-989-6135

  • Full List: https://www.mercercounty.org/government/sheriff-/informational/telephone-numbers

• Morris County Sheriff:

  • Administration: 973-285-6600

  • Address: P.O. Box 900, Morristown, NJ 07963-0900

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

• Hunterdon County Sheriff:

  • Main Phone: 908-788-1166

  • Corrections Booking Desk (24/7): 908-788-1184

  • Address: 71 Main Street, Building 1, 1st Floor, Flemington, NJ 08822

  • Website: https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/directory.aspx?did=32

• Middlesex County Sheriff:

  • Sheriff Mildred S. Scott Phone: 732-745-3381

  • Website: https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/government/constitutional-officers/sheriff

• Cape May County Sheriff:

  • Corrections Division: 609-465-1233

  • Administration: 609-463-6430

  • Law Enforcement Division: 609-463-6420

  • Address (HQ): 4 Moore Road DN 301, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

  • Website: https://capemaycountynj.gov/Directory.aspx?did=62