Arizona inmate records are the official documents of persons who have served time in correctional facilities located in Arizona. These records contain the personal identifying information of prisoners, as well as details on the conviction, sentence, transfer, release, and status of prisoners. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) maintains all inmate records of individuals incarcerated in state prisons by the courts while local law enforcement agencies keep inmate records of persons imprisoned in county jails.
Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Arizona?
Under Arizona law, incarceration records are considered public information unless confidential by law. Per A.R.S § 31–221(C), the Department of Corrections disseminates these records to the public according to provisions of the state’s Public Records Law. However, the law prohibits the Department of Corrections from disclosing records, or parts of records, to the public or subject of record, that:
- Identify a confidential informant
- Endanger a person’s life or physical safety
- Compromise an ongoing criminal investigation
Also, A.R.S § 41–1606(B) directs that the medical history information of prisoners must be kept confidential except to directors, assistant directors, wardens, and deputy wardens who require the information for an inmate’s care, housing, or transportation.
Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:
- The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
- The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.
Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.
What Information is Contained in an Arizona Inmate Record?
Arizona inmate records are created when persons have been assessed, classified, and processed into prison facilities by the Department of Corrections. In the state, inmate processing takes roughly five to ten days. This time is expedited to 3 days if the prisoner is serving a sentence that is up to or less than six months. The information contained in an inmate’s record includes:
- Basic information of the inmate and aliases (if any)
- Commitment and sentencing details
- Inmate classification
- Infractions while incarcerated
- Parole action and placement
- Work release program
- Warrant/detainer details
Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Arizona?
To look up an inmate in Arizona, an individual may:
- Use the ADCRR Inmate Data Search maintained by the Department of Corrections to find an inmate incarcerated in a state prison, or request physical or electronic copies of inmate records from the Department of Corrections
- Use an online inmate locator provided by a specific local enforcement agency to find an inmate incarcerated in a county jail, or contact the agency to obtain inmate information
How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Arizona?
As stated above, the ADCRR Inmate Data Search provides the information on inmates currently or previously incarcerated in Arizona state prisons, or on parole or supervised release, from 1985 to present. To search this database, an individual may use the " number search” or “name search” fields. Anyone who knows an inmate’s ADCRR 6-digit number may use the “number search” option. To search with the “name search” field, an inmate’s last name and first initial (if known) may be entered to retrieve records. Searches can also be narrowed by selecting an inmate’s gender or status (active, inactive, supervised/parole, or absconder). Members of the public have access to personal and incarceration details of inmates, and the ADCRR provides a glossary of terms to assist searchers understand the information disseminated on the site. However, inmate dates of birth are excluded from this site to prevent identity theft and fraud.
In addition, the ADCRR publishes an index of death row inmates. As of November 10, 2020, there were 116 inmates on death row in Arizona. The following information of a death row inmate can be viewed:
- ADCRR 6-digit number
- Mugshot
- First name, last name, and middle initial
- Physical features: eye and hair color
- Body measurements: height and weight
- Ethnicity
- Custody class
- Date of Admission
- Estimated release date and type of release
- Cell address: complex, unit, last movement, and status
- Mailing address
- Detailed information about the crime: comments, proceedings information (trial start date, presiding judge’s name, defense attorney’s name, prosecutor’s name, verdict and sentencing dates), aggravating or mitigating circ*mstances, and public opinions
For offenders imprisoned in county jails, most county sheriff offices provide online inmate locators to the public via their official websites. Generally, an individual can search for or lookup an Arizona inmate using a last/first name, date of birth, or booking number/ID. The sheriff offices may also be contacted directly during business hours to retrieve this information.
To obtain physical copies of inmate records or other public records (basic agency and employee records) from the ADCRR, an individual may submit a request with the Online Record Request Application or by fax: (602) 364–0601. Requesters are required to create an account or log in with an existing email address and password to submit an application. There is a fee assessed per request: 50 cents/page for paper records, 10 cents/page for electronic records, and 25 cents/page for paper records of subpoenas including an hourly processing fee of $25. Payment can be made via credit card (Visa or MasterCard) on the ADCRR’s Credit Card Payment Website. Electronic records are sent to a requester’s email address, and paper copies to a requester’s physical address or P.O box, if provided.
Family members and friends looking for specific inmate information may contact the ADC by email: IFFLiaison@azcorrections.gov or phone: (602) 364–3945 or with the toll-free number, (866) 333–2039.
How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Arizona?
Free searches for an inmate confined in a state prison may be conducted using the ADCRR Inmate Data Search. Similarly, using online inmate locators accessible on county sheriff websites, an offender in a county jail can be found at no cost to the interested party.
How to Find Old Inmate Records in Arizona
In Arizona, members of the public may find old inmate records from 1972 to 1985 by contacting the Arizona Department of Corrections:
Central Office
1601 West Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 542–5497
Inmate records dated 100 years prior to 1972 can be found on the ADC’s Historical Prison Register. These records may be viewed alphabetically in list or tabular form. It is possible to retrieve the following information:
- An inmate’s first name, last name, and middle initial
- ADCRR number
- Date of admission
- Other information such as the inmate’s alias or true name
How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry publishes records of inmates who have died while serving sentences in state prisons. These records contain the following inmate information:
- Name (first, last, and middle initial)
- Age
- ADCRR number
- Date of admission
- Sentencing county
- Offense for which incarcerated
- Assigned housing location
- Date, time, and place of death
- Details of death
For inmates who died in a county jail, the applicable local sheriff’s office may be contacted for information on obtaining these records.
How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator provides information on inmates incarcerated in federal prisons from 1982 to date. Searches can be conducted by using an inmate’s name, race, age, or sex, or an inmate’s:
- Bureau of Prisons (BOP) register number
- DC Department of Corrections (DCDC) number
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) number
- Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) number
Anyone who wants to obtain a federal inmate record prior to 1982 may visit the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website for more information.
How Long Does it Take For An Inmate’s Information to Be Published in Arizona Inmate Locator?
There is no exact time frame indicated by the Arizona Department of Corrections between an inmate’s processing into a state prison and availability of the inmate’s information on the Arizona Inmate Locator. However, this locator is updated weekly.
