When a person gets arrested or serves a prison sentence, the authorities confine them to an incarceration facility. At the point of arrival, a lot of paperwork takes place. All documentation about the stay of an inmate in an incarceration facility forms an inmate’s record. Each facility has primary data on inmate records. The Mississippi State Corrections Department collects this data into a central logging database. Local city and county jails maintain records and make the records available to persons interested in viewing or making copies.
Are incarceration records public information in Mississippi?
In line with the Mississippi Public Record Act of 1983, incarceration records are free to view and copy by members of the public, provided they do not contain any information considered exempt from disclosure by the same laws.
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 a Mississippi inmate record?
All inmate records in Mississippi contain the following general information:
- Name of the inmate
- Date of birth or age
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Crime charges
- Conviction and sentence
- Expected date of release or parole if available
- Progress reports during incarceration
Where do I look up an inmate in Mississippi?
Inmates in Mississippi are in county-based or state-owned incarceration facilities. There are multiple ways to search for an inmate in the state. The first option is to go to the incarceration facility physically and prepare the basic identifying information of the inmate. Each facility has policies for visits and requirements before granting access. Be sure to contact the relevant facility for details before scheduling a visit. If the facility is state-owned but unknown, contact the Mississippi Department of Corrections by mail or phone:
P.O. Box 24388
Jackson, MS 39225
601–933–2889
If it is a local city or county jail facility, find out from the courts with current jurisdiction on the case for directions.
Another option is to go to the state website to search for an inmate. Many city and county law enforcement agencies also maintain an online record of persons in their custody.
How do I conduct an inmate search in Mississippi?
A request for an inmate record (called a Penpak) will usually return the following information:
- Inmate convictions
- Indictment
- Timesheets
- Sentencing orders
- Social admissions
Be sure to have an appointment before visiting the facility in person, as well as identifying information such as an ID card. As per the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC}, it maintains master files on all inmates within the facilities controlled by the state.
Parties can contact the Records Division by phone at (601) 933–2889 to request copies of an inmate record. The payment schedule is as follows:
- $2 per request and $10 per hour
- $0.25 per page for legal paper size and 35 cents for larger sizes
Additional payments may include postage fees. Fees for prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and court order services are not inclusive. Accepted payments are cashier’s check or money order made out to the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Mail requests must go to:
Records Department
PO box 24388
Jackson MS 39225
Allow seven business days for a response to the request. If there is no response by the seventh day, expect a written notice from the agency explaining the delay’s reason. Online look-up of inmate records is possible in one of two ways in Mississippi:
- Inmate search
- Parolee search
As the name implies, inmate searches cover information about all inmates in all the state facilities. Conversely, parolee searches will only return results of persons on parole. For both, there is the option of a name or ID search. ID number searches are more effective because no two inmates share the same number. Most counties have their jails under the supervision of the Sheriffs or Police Department. Fix a visit in person or look up their website for inmate records. A list of county jails is available on the Department of Corrections website.
How can I find an inmate for free in Mississippi?
Electronic access to records is free. Mostly in-person requests to view are also free. However, upon requesting copies, charges may apply depending on the amount of labor involved or the number of copies requested.
How to find old inmate records in Mississippi?
Begin the search from the Records office of the State Department of Corrections. If the record is still available in their facility, expect feedback accordingly. If not, the facility should direct requestors to where they carry old records. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History collects, preserves, and provides access to old records of the State. Visit the department to request old inmate records.
How do I find inmate death records in Mississippi?
Mississippi still uses discretionary death penalty sentences for high-profile felony cases such as murder. All executions happen at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. Therefore, to get death records of executed inmates, go to the address below, and make inquiries. If the inmate’s death is not due to the death penalty execution, all death records available at the Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Vital statistics.
How do I conduct a federal prison inmate search?
Federal inmates serve their sentences in federal prisons across the federation. All records of persons incarcerated in federal prisons since 1982 available using the inmate locator. There are two ways to do this:
- Search by the first and last name, middle name, age, ethnicity, and gender
- Search by inmate number from either of the following registers:
- DC Department of Corrections (DCDC)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Register of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
- Immigration and naturalization services (INS)
Searches by inmate number are more reliable than by name.
The National Archives and Records Administration maintains records or earlier incarcerations and prisoners records. Some of them date back to 1870 and include the index of inmates once held at Alcatraz. Interested persons can order copies of these records.
How long does it take for an inmate information to be published in the Mississippi inmate locator?
It depends. Inmates held in custody after an arrest have their information published more quickly than those about to begin prison sentences. At the point of arrest, the officer takes down all necessary identifying information, including fingerprints. Prison sentences take a little longer to admit an inmate into a facility.
When the court commits an inmate to a state facility, the Department of Corrections processes the admission by transferring them first into housing units. This unit’s activity includes testing, background examinations, psychological assessments, and exposure to the rules and regulations. An initial classification hearing officer decides what level of custody an inmate gets assigned. Other classifications include housing units, educational programs, rehabilitation programs, and medical classes. After that, the inmate status gets updated appropriately in the record.
