Find North Carolina Inmate Records

Inmate records in North Carolina are maintained by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS). According to Chapter 148, Article 7 of the North Carolina General Statutes, the records section of the NCDPS is required to collect, classify, and maintain vital information of all inmates housed in any of the state's 57 correctional centers. Examples of information in the record include names, date of birth, photographs, and fingerprints of inmates. For investigation or statistical purposes, law enforcement agencies, correctional agencies, or courts often need this information. Sometimes, individuals or employers may use the records to conduct background checks on ex-convicts.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in North Carolina?

Yes, incarceration records are available to the public in North Carolina. According to G.S. 132.1, public documents like incarceration records are 'property of the people' since public agencies create them. Hence, interested persons can contact the approved record custodian to obtain a copy of the record. While some information on these records is available online, other sensitive details may only be accessible to law enforcement agencies and other authorized bodies in North Carolina.

Public records can be located in multiple ways, with official and third-party sources available. Official government repositories remain the primary custodians, but private search platforms have become increasingly popular because of their broad coverage and ease of access. These third-party databases often allow individuals to conduct searches without the limitations of county or state boundaries, offering consolidated results that might otherwise require several separate inquiries. Searches typically require input of identifying details such as the subject's full name—unless restricted due to juvenile protections—and the specific or probable location of the filing. It must be emphasized, however, that third-party sources function independently of government entities. This separation means that record content and availability can vary significantly from one platform to another, with some offering more current or comprehensive information than others.

What Information is Contained in a North Carolina Inmate Record?

The information found on the North Carolina inmate record can be divided into three sections. These are:

• Offender information: This includes the prisoner's basic information, including details such as the offender's name, photograph, number, gender, race, age, and date of birth.
• Incarceration summary: This shows the date of conviction, projected release date, type of crime, prison location, etc.
• Sentence history: This section reveals the prisoner's sentence number, offense date, and jail term.

The records section compiles inmate records in North Carolina under the direction of the Secretary of Public Safety. The documents are created once an individual is committed to one of the state prisons.

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in North Carolina?

State residents can look up inmates in North Carolina by contacting the approved record custodian. At the state level, the NCDPS maintains a central repository that is easily accessible online. However, the online database may be limited or not up to date. It is advisable to contact the department via mail or call to obtain comprehensive inmate information. Note that state prisons are different from city jails. As a result, inmates committed to city or county jails may not be available at the central repository. Information on prisoners in city jails may be found by visiting the county sheriff or police department in the city.

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in North Carolina?

As indicated earlier, inmate information in the state of North Carolina is available at approved state and county agencies. Requesters can mail or call the record custodian to obtain inmate records of prisoners in city or county jails. Meanwhile, some counties provide an online search platform that may be free or easily accessible.

Below are the methods of conducting an inmate search in North Carolina state prisons.

• Online: Open the online database (offender search) and provide the full names to find information on the inmate. To narrow the search, it is advisable to provide other details such as the offender's number, gender, date of birth, and age range. Requesters may also search active, inactive, or probationer inmates only.
• Mail-in: Requesters interested in getting physical copies of inmates' information may send a request or call the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

512 North Salisbury Street
4201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699–4201
Phone: (919) 733–2126

• Contact state prisons: Individual state prisons in North Carolina may also offer information concerning inmates committed to the facility.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in North Carolina?

Inmate records accessible online via the NCDPS webpage are provided free of charge. The online database includes information on released inmates, absconders, and captured escaped inmates. Note that most counties offer the same service at no cost. However, requesters may be charged for printing physical copies of these records.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides an inmate database that dates back to 1972. Interested persons may contact the department directly if such old inmate records are inaccessible online. To get a copy of this record, mail or call requests should be sent to:

512 North Salisbury Street
4201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699–4201
Phone: (919) 733–2126

Archive records beyond 1972 may be found at the state archives of North Carolina.

State Archives of North Carolina
4614 Mail Service Center
109 E. Jones St. Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 814–6840

Inmate Release Date Lookup In North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction offers an offender public information search that provides release dates, custody status, and facility details. Dates may change with earned time credits, parole, or program participation.

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
512 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: (919) 733-2126

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in North Carolina

Inmate death records in North Carolina may be available at the Department of Public Safety. The chief medical examiner in North Carolina may also provide information on inmates if their death was suspicious. Requesters can fill out the online request form to obtain the death certificate, report, or autopsy of North Carolina's inmates. The office equally accepts mail or call-in requests that are sent to:

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
3025 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699–3025
Phone: (919) 743–9000

Note that the records of inmates placed on death row may not be available at the office of the chief medical examiner. The Department of Public Safety publishes such records in North Carolina.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Federal prisons housed in any federal prisons in North Carolina may be accessible via the Federal Bureau of Prisons' online inmate search. Requesters can find inmates on the web page by inputting the offender's name or registration number (BOP number). Alternatively, they can look up federal inmates by contacting the federal prison directly.

Federal Correctional Complex, Butner
3000, Old 75 Highway
Butner, NC 27509
Phone: (919) 575–5000
Email: BUH-ExecAssistant@bop.gov

Rivers Correctional Institute
145 Parker's Fishery Road
Winton, NC 27986
Phone: (252) 358–5200
Email: RIV-General@bop.gov

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

In North Carolina, inmates committed to a correctional center are initially classified and given an ID number (offender number). Information like fingerprints and photographs of the inmate is compiled through the classification process. Within 24 hours, these details may be published on the North Carolina offender search. The online database is regularly updated according to each inmate's current sentence status.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

In North Carolina, inmates may be absent from the Department of Adult Correction's search results if their information has not yet been uploaded following admission or transfer. Juvenile offenders are excluded from public systems under state law. Some individuals serving short sentences in county jails may also not appear in the statewide database. Incorrect entry of the inmate's name, offender number, or other identifiers often results in no search matches.