Federal Inmate Locator

 Easily locate the whereabouts of a federal inmate incarcerated from 1982 to the present. Please note, due to the First Step Act, sentences are under review and recalculation to account for pending Federal Time Credit adjustments. This may affect the accuracy of an inmate's release date. To stay informed, visitors should regularly check back for updates. 

We receive many requests for information on Federal inmates released before 1982. Not all inmates who were in custody prior to 1982 were keyed into the BOP's inmate management system. Accordingly, when we previously received a request for such information, we researched available records by hand. Many older records are held by the National Archives Records Administration (NARA), not the BOP and we are in the midst of transferring BOP's pre-1982 inmate records to NARA.

As such, users seeking such information are encouraged to direct your inquiry to NARA. To assist them in determining whether information is available, the following information should be provided in the request:

• inmate name (including middle name/initial),
• date of birth or approximate age at time of incarceration,
• race, and
• approximate dates in prison.

For more information about how to obtain copies of records, visit the National Archives website.

1. Visit the Website: Go to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) official website and navigate to the Inmate Locator tool.
2. Enter the Inmate's Information: You can search by the inmate's BOP Register Number, DCDC Number, FBI Number, or INS Number. If you don't have these numbers, you can search by name. Enter the inmate's first and last name, and include the middle name or initial if known.
3. Specify Additional Details (Optional): To narrow your search, you can include additional details such as the inmate's age, race, or gender.
4. Review the Results: The locator will display a list of inmates that match your search criteria. You’ll see details such as their current location, registration number, and projected release date.
5. Check for Updates: If you don't find the inmate or need updated information, check back periodically, as details can change, especially due to ongoing sentence reviews under the First Step Act.

Using these steps, you can easily locate an inmate and stay informed about their status.

he Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Federal Inmate Locator website provides several key pieces of information about federal inmates. Here’s what you can typically find:

1. Inmate Name: Full name of the inmate, including any aliases or middle names.
2. Register Number: A unique identification number assigned to each inmate by the BOP.
3. Current Location: The name and location of the facility where the inmate is currently being held.
4. Age and Race: Basic demographic information about the inmate, including age and race.
5. Release Date: The expected release date of the inmate, which may change due to sentence recalculations or other factors.
6. Custody Status: Information about whether the inmate is currently in custody, on supervised release, or has been released.

This information is regularly updated and is useful for tracking the status and location of federal inmates.

The significance of the BOP Federal Inmate Locator Services is considerable for several reasons:

1. Transparency and Accessibility: It provides the public with easy access to information about federal inmates, enhancing transparency within the criminal justice system. This helps individuals, families, and legal professionals stay informed about an inmate’s status and location.
2. Safety and Security: By allowing users to track the whereabouts of federal inmates, the locator tool helps ensure that information about inmates is up-to-date, which is crucial for maintaining security and addressing concerns related to inmate movements.
3. Legal and Administrative Purposes: The locator service supports legal professionals, researchers, and administrators by offering accurate and timely information needed for legal proceedings, case management, and administrative tasks.
4. Support for Families: For families of incarcerated individuals, the tool offers a means to find out where their loved ones are being held, which can be vital for maintaining communication and providing support.
5. Sentence Review and Monitoring: With ongoing changes in federal sentencing laws, including the First Step Act, the locator helps users track updates on an inmate’s release date and custody status, which may be subject to review and recalculation.

Overall, the BOP Federal Inmate Locator Services play a crucial role in providing accurate, accessible, and timely information about federal inmates, benefiting a wide range of users and supporting the integrity of the criminal justice system.