How to Locate Someone Who Is Incarcerated

If you're trying to locate someone and suspect they may be incarcerated in a federal or state penitentiary, there are resources to aid you in your search. Follow these steps to find them.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Full name of the incarcerated person

Instructions

1. Search the database of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to locate someone who might be incarcerated in a federal prison (see Resources below).

2. Locate someone incarcerated in a state or county correctional facility by accessing the database at VINELink (see Resources below).

3. Consider the possibility that the person you're trying to locate has been released on probation. Your chances of locating a person this way may be slim, but it might be worth the effort to check individual state Web sites.

4. Hire a private investigator as a last resort. This person is likely to have access to resources not available to the general public.

5. Give any information you find to the appropriate authority, such as your attorney if there is legal action pending, or your local child support enforcement unit if child support is overdue.

6. Connect with inmates directly via third-party online forums that are designed to allow communication between prisoners and the general public. However, these services are usually fee-based.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give up. Databases are updated periodically, and the person you're trying to locate could be incarcerated after you've done an initial search. Check back frequently.

• If the name of the person you're trying to locate is a common one (such as John Smith), you may be able to narrow the search criteria by entering a date of birth.

• The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows you to locate an incarcerated individual, but the Privacy Act of 1974 may subject you to penalty if the information obtained is used inappropriately.

• Exercise caution when perusing online forums for inmates. Above all, guard your personal information carefully.