Find Washington Inmate Records

The admission of inmates into Washington state correctional facilities is usually accompanied by paperwork or documents called Washington inmate records. These documents feature both confidential information regarding the offenders. Typically, inmate records contain personal identifying data of the offender and administrative information of the circumstances surrounding the arrest, sentencing by the court, and eventual incarceration. The Washington State Department of Corrections maintains and updates inmate records. They manage all adult prisons in the state, supervise inmates released into the community, and facilitate public safety by providing information about incarcerated offenders on a searchable, consolidated online database.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Washington?

According to the Washington Public Records Act, incarceration records in Washington are open to the public. Through the act, the state permits citizens to review and copy government public records, including inmates' records. Open records comprise electronic or paper documents maintained by law enforcement agencies and are available on request at the state, county, city, and municipal levels.

Washington provides public record access through official government channels and independent third-party services. These private platforms compile data from multiple sources and are often useful for broad searches across jurisdictions. Requesters typically must provide the subject's name and the relevant city, county, or state. Because third-party services are independent businesses, their records may not be as complete or up-to-date as those maintained by the Washington State Department of Corrections.

What Information is Contained in a Washington Inmate Record?

Inmates' records in Washington are created when the individual is arrested. As a result, they contain detailed information about convicted and incarcerated offenders from the beginning of their journey in the state criminal justice system. From the moment of the arrest, the records are updated to include every event in the offender's life. Therefore, the information contained in a Washington inmate record includes:

• Name
• Age
• Date of birth
• Date of commitment
• Inmate's supervision conditions
• Date of conditional discharge from supervision
• DOC number
• Facility assignment/movement
• Fines imposed
• Mandatory release date
• Parole date
• Race

Also, if the offender has prior offenses, arrests, convictions, sentencing, or incarceration records, they will be included in the inmate record. More extensively, they may also contain the individual's activities or programs during detention, such as educational achievements and jobs while incarcerated.

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Washington?

Generally, the Washington State Department of Corrections manages offender information. Similarly, several federal, state, and local law enforcement databases document inmate information. Some of them include:

• Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Washington Access To Criminal History (WATCH)
• Washington Judicial System
• State and local correctional and detention facilities

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Washington?

The following information is required to run electronic or physical searches for inmates in Washington:

• The facility where the inmate is held (state or local detention facility).
• The inmate's full name
• The inmate's identification and correctional number

Usually, if the inquirer cannot determine where the individual is held, the local law enforcement offices and the sentencing court should be queried before running a search at the state level. Afterward, suppose the individual is held at a local jail. In that case, the offender's records can be retrieved from the local law enforcement offices because they store and maintain their jail inmates' records. Most local jails in Washington also provide inmate locators on their websites, while some publish inmate registries and posters that can be reviewed. According to the state Public Records Act, these offices also accept requests for inmate records and provide paper copies on request.

If the individual is held in a state-run prison, the WADOC maintains the required or relevant records. In addition to the possibility of running electronic searches on the inmate search tool provided on the WADOC website, inquirers may also request physical copies of inmate records according to state laws. The requests can be submitted in writing to the Department of Corrections Public Records officer via electronic or traditional mail. They must include the requester's name, the date the request is made, and the requested records' details.

Public Records Office
P.O. Box 41118
Olympia, WA 98504-1118

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Washington?

Searches on the Washington State Department of Corrections inmate locator provide basic information on offenders in the state at no charge and in a few seconds. The search can be conducted using the inmate's DOC number or the offender's last name. Likewise, all inquiries made directly to state/local penitentiaries and local enforcement agencies are conducted for free. However, this only applies when physical copies are not requested because most agencies provide copies of these records for a fee.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Washington?

The Washington State Department of Corrections provides information about the present and former inmates incarcerated in state prisons. Inquirers may obtain old inmate records by visiting or contacting the department's headquarters. They can also send requests for old inmate records via email and traditional mail.

7345 Linderson Way S.W.
Tumwater, WA 98501-6504
Phone: (360) 725-8213

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 41100
Mail Stop 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Washington?

State and local correctional facilities maintain explicit and detailed records of all the individuals they monitor, including records of deaths within the facility. The facility Superintendent always ensures that a copy of an inmate's death record is added to the central file and sent to the WADOC regional correctional records supervisor. Hence, on request, the correctional facility or the WADOC can provide inquirers with inmate death records in Washington, unless access is restricted by law.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Washington

The Washington State Department of Corrections (WADOC) offers an Inmate Search Tool where the public can access information about custody status, projected release dates, and facility locations. Searches may be carried out using the inmate's name or Department of Corrections number. For further assistance, inquiries can be made to:

Washington State Department of Corrections – Records Office
7345 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 725-8213

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

The Federal Bureau of Prisons manages and runs all federal prisons. Its websites maintain information on federal inmates incarcerated in federal penitentiaries from 1982 to the present. Older records can be retrieved from the National Archives Records Administration (NARA). The website provides a helpful inmate locator feature through which users can run country-wide searches using the offender's full name or the inmate's Federal Bureau of Prisons Register Number. It is important to note that only offenders convicted of violating federal laws or offenders awaiting trial for breaking federal laws can be found through this means.

The website also enlists all federal prisons in the country with specific location details and how they can be contacted by phone, email, or traditional mail. With this information, requesters can contact the desired facility directly to inquire about a detained offender.

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

The Washington Department of Corrections ensures that its data is regularly updated, accurate, and complete through the statewide inmate locator. For inmate records that seem elusive through this means, requesters can contact the department headquarters directly for assistance in retrieving such records.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

The Washington State Department of Corrections' search tool does not include every incarcerated individual. Offenders confined in county jails fall outside the WADOC's authority and will not appear in state records. Federal inmates are likewise excluded, as the Bureau of Prisons maintains their records. Juvenile offenders are kept confidential under state law and are not searchable through public systems. In addition, recently booked inmates or those transferred between facilities may not yet be updated in the database. For security reasons, information about individuals in protective custody or under high-risk classifications may also be restricted from public disclosure.