Locating a friend or family member who’s been arrested or convicted of a crime in Texas doesn’t have to be complicated. Sure you can call the local police precinct or sheriff’s department and ask if they arrested the individual. But you might be more comfortable using your computer and the Internet from the privacy of your home to locate the inmate online. Online you can discover if the person is still incarcerated, the charges against the inmate and the address of the correctional facility where the individual is being held.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Step 1
Visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's inmate search website and click on the link labeled "Online Offender Search." You will be redirected to a page where you can enter your search parameters.
Step 2
Allow pop-ups so you can view the information. Click on the word "Tools" at the top of your screen. A drop-down menu will appear. Click "Options" and select the "Content" tab. Click on the box next to the word "pop up blocker"; the check mark in the box should disappear. Click "OK" to apply the change.
Step 3
Type the inmate's name, race, Texas Department of Justice (TDCJ) or State Identification (SID) number in the boxes as directed. You can enter all of the information or just the inmate's full name to begin your search. Click the "Submit Request" button. You will be taken to a page with your search results.
Step 4
Read the information provided before clicking on the highlighted number which corresponds to the inmate for whom you are searching. The page displays the inmate's full name, TDCJ number, race, sex, projected release date, the prison where the inmate is being held and the inmate's age. You will be taken to a page where the inmate's general information is stored.
Step 5
Click the link next to the words "Current Facility." The link will take you to the Unit Information page, which has a list of jail and prison addresses and telephone numbers.
County Jail
Step 1
Visit the county sheriff’s website in the area where the inmate was arrested. Depending on the county, you may find a link labeled “Jail Record Search,” “Inmate Info,” “Active Jail Roster” or “Inmate Information.” You will be taken to a page where you will need to enter search information.
Step 2
Follow the site’s instructions to type the inmate’s last and first name into the empty labeled search boxes; then press "Enter." Narrow the search results by adding information like the date the inmate was arrested, sex and race.
Step 3
Click the inmate's jail ID number to see the incarceration and release dates. You can also view a mug shot to verify the person's identity.
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