Find Illinois Inmate Records

Illinois inmate records provide details of offenders serving their jail sentence at city/county jails or state prisons. This record includes name, date of birth, conviction, identification marks, etc. According to section 730 ILCS 5/3-5-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections, the Illinois Department of Corrections is tasked with creating and maintaining inmate records within its jurisdiction.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Illinois?

Inmate records in Illinois are available to the public as required by the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This act was passed in 1984 to create transparency and accountability in all public agencies located in the state. However, only inmates' personal information, identification, and sentence are accessible to the public. Sensitive information, including inmates' medical reports, is confidential and can only be released to members of the public with proper court orders.

What Information is Contained in an Illinois Inmate Record?

Inmate records accessible to the public contain two main categories of information: general and sentence information.

General information includes:

• Personal details, i.e., name, date of birth, sex, race, etc.
• Physical attributes, i.e., weight, height, hair, and eye color
• Identification marks, i.e., scars and tattoos
• Admission information, i.e., name and location of the correctional center, date of admission, etc.

Sentence information includes:

• Criminal offense
• Jail sentence, etc.

Illinois inmate records are created after conviction and sentencing. The chief administrative officer of a state prison is tasked with creating records of persons committed to the state facility. At the county level, the various local jail administrators or county sheriffs must generate and officially document records of inmates detained within their respective jurisdiction.

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Corrections serves as the state's central repository for inmate records. The department maintains an online registry that includes all inmates housed in one state's correctional centers. County and city jail administrators also provide public access to inmates committed to their facilities.

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Illinois?

Inmate search can be conducted using the following methods:

Online

To find inmates at the state's online registry, interested persons can use the inmate's IDOC number, last name, or date of birth. Several counties in Illinois provide online searches similar to the central repository. For instance, Cook County inmate lookup is accessible using the inmate's full name or booking number. Other counties, like Coles County, provide a compact list of confined inmates.

Mail or Call-in

At the state level, inmate records are available by calling the department at (217) 558-2200. To find an inmate via mail, requesters may complete and send an online application to:

Illinois Department of Corrections
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Illinois?

At the national level, the Federal Bureau of Prisons keeps only records of inmates indicted for federal offenses. The bureau also has files on individuals awaiting trial for federal crimes. State and local inmates can be located for free at the online registry. Note that mail or phone requests may attract some fees.

Some records designated as public are accessible through both government offices and independent commercial websites. These third-party portals frequently provide simplified search tools, particularly for individuals attempting to locate multiple records or information across state lines. To use these systems, requesters must typically provide certain information, including the full name of the person involved—except in juvenile cases—and the location associated with the matter. It should be noted that third-party services function separately from official agencies and are not supported by public funds. Consequently, the completeness and availability of information they provide may not always match what is officially archived.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Illinois

Records of inmates who have completed their jail sentences in state correctional facilities are not available online. Interested persons should complete the online request form to obtain archived documents. Before submitting, select 'Records Search' under the form's 'General Subject' part. Alternatively, the records are obtainable by visiting the office in person or sending an email to the address below:

Illinois Department of Corrections:

Springfield Address
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277
Phone: (217) 558-2200

Chicago Address
James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph
Chicago, IL 60601

Note that the type of information provided will determine the accuracy of the search results. Better search results are achieved if the requesters provide relevant details such as:

• The full name of the former inmate (make sure spellings are accurate)
• The date of birth
• The year the inmate was committed to any of the state prisons.
• Name and location of the state prison
• Location of the county where the inmate was convicted
• Dates relevant to the inmate's incarceration

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Illinois

The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) manages information on incarcerated individuals through its Inmate Search Portal. This online system allows the public to obtain details, including projected release dates, parole eligibility, and current facility assignments, by searching with the inmate's name or IDOC identification number.

Those seeking information offline may contact the Illinois Department of Corrections or call (217) 558-2200. Projected release dates can change depending on parole board rulings, earned sentence credits, or administrative reviews. The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice maintains juvenile records separately and are not available to the public.

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Illinois?

The ideal method of getting an inmate death record in Illinois is to contact the Department of Corrections via mail or in person. Information such as date of birth, name, and location of the state prison will improve the search result. Alternatively, requesters may obtain reports related to an inmate's death records through the medical examiner's office that handles the inmate's body. Interested persons may also contact the county clerk-recorder for a copy of the inmate's death records.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

The Federal Bureau of Prisons offers an online locator for federal inmate lookup. Interested persons may search for inmates convicted of a federal offense using their name or registration number.

• Name: Individuals should fill in the first, middle, and last name fields to minimize duplications of common names. Other essential details required when conducting a name search are:
• Age: This depends on the inmate's date of birth. It reveals the inmate's current age instead of the age when released. If the record is for a dead inmate, this detail will be written under the "Date Released" section.
• Race and sex: This alludes to the inmate's ethnicity and can help narrow the results when searching.
• Registration Number: Regardless of the kind of number the Requester enters, this field will show the inmate's Federal BOP register number. Other registration numbers, such as the DCDC (District of Columbia Department of Corrections), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), and INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) numbers, can be used to conduct this search.

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

Generally, inmate information is created and published the day they enter a correctional center. However, before getting to the prison, every inmate must go through a Reception and Classification (R&C) Center for processing. The minimum processing time is 30 days, but this is not fixed as it depends on the facility. According to Section 503.20 of the Illinois Administrative Code, committed persons should be classified by the R&C center to:

• Determine the level of security necessary for control
• Determine the program needs of the inmate
• Assign committed persons to the appropriate facility and program.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

Inmates may not appear in the IDOC system if they are being held in a county jail or a federal facility, as the portal only covers state correctional institutions. Juveniles and individuals whose records are sealed by court order are excluded. Newly processed inmates may not appear until records are updated.