Where to Find Iowa Inmate Records

Iowa inmate records are a compilation of relevant information concerning persons serving an incarceration sentence within the State of Iowa. Iowa inmate records contain information such as offenders’ name, age, race, gender, offense history, and other details regarding an inmate’s incarceration activities.

The operation of correctional facilities in Iowa is handled by the Iowa Department of Corrections(IDOC). Upon booking into an Iowa correctional facility, the IDOC collates and maintains such inmate information. Inmate records concerning offenders held at county-operated jails can typically be obtained from the Sheriff’s department within the county’s jurisdiction.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Iowa?

Yes, incarceration records are public information in Iowa. In compliance with the state’s open records law, the custodians of incarceration records in the state must provide options that eligible persons can inspect or copy such records. However, confidential records such as medical information on inmates are inaccessible to the general public.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

What Information is Contained in an Iowa Inmate Record?

Iowa inmate records typically contain personal information regarding incarcerated persons and some details about their offense. Such information includes:

• Full name
• Offender number
• Gender
• Date of Birth
• Location
• Offense history
• Tentative Discharge Date
• Supervision Discharge Date
• Commitment Date
• County of Commitment
• Probation details

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Iowa?

The following options are available to look up incarcerated offenders’ information in Iowa:

• Iowa Department of Corrections website: The IDOC website provides an online platform that interested individuals can obtain inmate information on. The IDOC Offender Search tool is available on the website for finding information on offenders held in correctional facilities located within the state.
• Third-party websites: Some inmate information is available on databases that are managed by third-party websites. Interested individuals can look up inmates on such websites.
• Sheriff’s Office: The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for managing records of individuals detained in jails within its jurisdiction. Typically, the records department makes inmate records available to eligible persons to look up offenders or copy desired information.
• County websites: County-run jails usually provide resources on their websites that querying parties can look up inmates in jail facilities.

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Iowa?

Interested persons looking to use the IDOC Offender Search tool to find inmates in Iowa can fill in the search boxes with the appropriate information to retrieve results. However, querying parties should note that the information they can obtain on the search tool is limited.

Interested individuals can also visit the website of county-run correctional facilities to check pages that offer a way to access inmate information. The local law enforcement agency may also provide an inmate locator tool that querying parties can utilize to conduct an inmate search.

Online inmate search platforms such as the IDOC offender search tool usually require the users to provide some information about inmates to facilitate the search. These details are filled in the query boxes. Typically, the information required includes an offender’s full name, date of birth, gender, offender number, offense committed, and the county of commitment.

Querying parties can also request physical copies of inmate information from their custodian. Individuals can visit the custodian’s office to request inmate information in-person or prepare a written request and send it to the custodian’s office location. However, charges may apply for copying of desired records.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Iowa?

To look up an inmate for free in Iowa, querying parties may use the Iowa Department of Corrections Offender Search tool. Some counties and local law enforcement agencies may also provide resources like inmate locators that members of the public can utilize to find inmates held in their jail facility. Scott County website offers an Inmate Listing page that interested persons can find information on incarcerated inmates at no cost.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Iowa

To find inmate records of individuals that have finished serving a prison sentence in an Iowa correctional facility, querying parties can use the Offender Search tool. Users of the search tool can find information on offenders discharged from a correctional facility within the state’s jurisdiction. Interested persons can also request old inmate records from their local law enforcement agency office in-person or via U.S mail.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

To obtain information regarding offenders detained in federal prisons, users can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator tool can be used to conduct an inmate search.

The inmate locator provides information on federal inmates incarcerated between 1982 till present. Persons looking to obtain federal inmates records pre–1982 can visit the National Archives website to make such requests.

On the inmate locator, interested persons can perform searches by using the inmate’s BOP register number or their full name, age, race, and gender. The information available on the inmate locator includes the name, location, release date, offender number, age, ethnicity, and gender. Persons who encounter issues looking up an inmate can visit the BOP contact page. Written inquiries can be addressed to the BOP location:

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Attn: Inmate Locator

320 First Street, N. W.

Washington, DC 20534

How Long Does It Take for An Inmate’s Information to Be Published in Iowa Inmate Locator?

Typically, inmate information on the Iowa inmate locator is available within twenty-four hours after the records have been documented on the correctional facility’s database. County-run jails that provide an inmate listing on their website also update them daily for interested parties to access records of newly incarcerated offenders.