Find Idaho Inmate Records

When an offender is detained or sentenced in the justice system, they will spend time in a correctional facility in Idaho. The Sheriff has custody of detainees and inmates in the county jail and maintains relevant records on inmates. The Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC) is the administrative supervisor of county jails and state prisons. It maintains a publicly available database for this effect. However, the Department of Corrections' custody does not extend to federal inmates. Federal inmates are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which also maintains inmate records.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Idaho?

Yes. In line with state and federal laws on government transparency, these custodians maintain inmate records that members of the public can access (Idaho Code § 74–102).

In addition to government websites, certain public records may also be available through online third-party providers. These companies often consolidate information across jurisdictions, giving users broader search options. This convenience makes them useful when the exact location of a record is unknown. Typically, the user must supply identifying details, such as the individual's name and the area connected to the record. Records involving minors are usually restricted from public view. Because third-party sites operate without government sponsorship, the quality and completeness of their data may vary. For this reason, while such platforms can be helpful, official government sources remain the most reliable.

What Information is Contained in an Idaho Inmate Record?

An inmate record will typically contain the following information:

• Mugshot
• Full legal name
• Age
• Inmate ID number
• Offense Information
• Sentence information
• Facility of incarceration
• Status (inmate, parole, discharged, or fugitive)

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Idaho?

Generally, the three ways to find an inmate in Idaho are:

• Online search
• In-person request
• Mail request

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Idaho?

Finding an inmate in Idaho is relatively straightforward if the requester has the necessary details.

• In-person request:

First, the requester must identify the facility of incarceration or detainment. If this is known, they may contact or schedule a visit to the facility to find information on the inmate of interest. A helpful rule of thumb is to confirm an inmate's incarceration or detainment before contacting the facility.

Some jails allow members of the public to call to find information on an inmate. Thus, scheduling a visit with the jail administrator is unnecessary. The Idaho Department of Corrections also maintains a directory of correctional facilities and visitation rules. County jails often have specific rules, so knowing these rules before visiting is useful.

• Online search:

The Sheriff's website is the best resource for information on inmates in local jails. For example, the Ada County Sheriff maintains a jail roster, and the Bonneville County Sheriff regularly updates an inmate list.

If the individual is looking for inmates in multiple counties or is not sure of the facility of incarceration, the IDOC Offender Search is a valuable tool. The central repository pools inmate information from county and state correctional facilities. To use the Offender Search, the individual must query the database with the inmate's full name or ID. Click on the IDOC number for inmate information, including booking photos and personal information.

• Mail requests

If a requester needs additional information not listed on the public online database, he/she may submit a public record request citing Section § 74–102 of the Idaho Code (Public Records Act).

Most records are available under the Act, but statutory provisions exempt confidential records from public disclosure, even with consent from the inmate. Generally, the Idaho Department of Corrections provides an online form for this purpose.

Alternatively, a requester may submit a written request detailing the requester's contact information and a statement requesting the records under the Idaho Public Records Act. The requester must also include a detailed description of the records sought. Then, the requester must enclose the request in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail it to:

1299 North Orchard Street, Suite 110
Boise, ID 83706
Phone: (208) 658–2000

The Public Records Act mandates that record custodians respond to a public request within three (3) business days. However, if the request requires extensive research, the Department has leeway to respond within ten (10) business days. Furthermore, paragraph 10 of the Act grants the Department the ability to charge nominal fees for reproducing the records sought. Sometimes, the record custodian may waive the associated fees or allow the requester to copy for free. If the Department does charge for processing a request, the Department will estimate associated costs and only process the record request after confirming payment.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Idaho?

Petition the record custodian for a fee waiver, stating how providing free access to inmate information serves the public's best interests. The appeal must also show that the requester needs the inmate information for non-commercial purposes. Otherwise, the requester must bear the cost of searching, reproducing, and certifying the inmate record requested.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Idaho

Information on discharged inmates is not available online. Therefore, a requester must contact the Department of Corrections by mail or use this online questionnaire. If the inmate is under probation or parole, send a public information request to the Commission of Pardons and Parole at paroleweb@idoc.idaho.gov.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Idaho

The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) provides public access to inmate information through its Resident/Client Search Tool. This database includes sentencing information, custody location, parole eligibility, and projected release dates where applicable. Searches may be conducted using the inmate's name or IDOC number.

Formal requests may also be directed to the Idaho Department of Correction or by calling (208) 658-2000. Release dates are approximate and may change due to parole decisions, disciplinary sanctions, or credit adjustments. Records concerning juveniles or restricted cases are not made available to the public.

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Idaho?

Send a public information request to the Department of Corrections. If the inmate death record contains non-confidential information and is not subject to an active investigation, the Department shall provide a copy. Likewise, eligible persons, i.e., surviving family members of the inmate, may also request death records from the Idaho Department of Health.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Federal prisons house offenders convicted of federal crimes, and depending on the severity of the crime, offenders are held in minimum or maximum-security facilities. All federal prisons in Idaho are under the administration of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). To find an inmate at the prison, use the BOP Inmate Locator. BOP allows searchers to find information on inmates incarcerated as far back as 1982. The searcher may use the offender's unique BOP number or full name to achieve this.

Furthermore, providing additional information such as race, age, and sex helps narrow down the search from thousands of results. Bear in mind that records on inmates incarcerated before 1982 are only available on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website. There, the searcher will have access to a database of inmate information from 1870 to 1981.

How Long Does it Take For An Inmate's Information to Be Published in Idaho Inmate Locator?

It depends. The availability of inmate information on the inmate locator from jail systems depends on several factors. Some of these include when administrative staff completes the booking process, the level of technology integrations, and the availability of technical staff.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

An inmate may not appear in the IDOC system if they are confined in a county jail instead of a state prison. Juvenile offenders under the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections are not listed. Records may also be absent if an inmate has recently been admitted, transferred, or released, and the database has not yet refreshed. Contact IDOC directly or the appropriate county sheriff's office for missing records.