How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is Massachusetts Inmate Search?
A Massachusetts inmate search helps to locate individuals incarcerated in correctional facilities within the state and access their jail records. The inmate search system allows members of the public to access information about offenders using their names, state ID numbers, or other details as search parameters.
In addition to providing Massachusetts jail records, the inmate search system ensures public safety. The Massachusetts Department of Correction (MADOC) oversees the state prison system and manages inmate records on its database. Upon incarceration, records of inmates are entered into the department's database and regularly updated to reflect any changes throughout their prison sentences.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, inmate records are generally open to the public, although with some exceptions. The Department of Corrections may provide such records to interested persons in compliance with the provisions of the commonwealth's Public Records Law.
Certain laws or court orders may prohibit the disclosure of Massachusetts jail records containing private or sensitive information about inmates. Confidential inmate information or records may include:
- Parole records and hearings
- Medical and mental health records
- Juvenile records
- Victim-related information
- Sealed or expunged inmate records
How To Perform Massachusetts Inmate Lookup
Individuals can search for inmates in Massachusetts prisons by using details such as their names and state identification numbers. Upon entering the search criteria on the inmate locator, the portal displays a list of inmate records that match the search details. Users can click on the inmate's profile to view record details, including full name, date of birth, gender, race, and sentencing details.
How To Search for an Inmate in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Correction (MADOC) provides public access to inmate information through the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) online portal and phone line. To locate an offender in a Massachusetts prison, follow either of these steps:
- Online:
- Visit the VINELink website
- Select Massachusetts as the location
- Search by any of the following criteria:
- Name - Enter the full name or partial name of the inmate
- ID Number - Input the offender's full or partial ID number (at least the first four numbers)
- Click the search button to view search results
- By Phone:
- Call the VINE line at (866) 277-7477
- Provide the offender's full name or their commitment ID number
Users can access basic inmate information on the VINELink portal and register to receive notifications about changes to the inmate's records via email, phone, or text. Registered users can also access other inmate information, such as mugshots, full dates of birth, and complete ID numbers.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Massachusetts
Anyone may search for inmates in the custody of the Department of Corrections at no cost using free public resources. Additionally, third-party databases like RecordsFinder offer online access to Massachusetts inmate search free of charge. Visitors may search for inmates using criteria like the offender's name and filter by location.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Massachusetts
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) oversees the incarceration of federal offenders in Massachusetts. To perform a federal inmate search in Massachusetts, enter the offender's name or prison register number in the appropriate search criteria tab on the BOP inmate locator tool. Users who search by name may also include the inmate's race, gender, and sex to filter the search results.
FMC Devens is the only federal correctional facility in Massachusetts. It houses male inmates who require certain medical or mental health care.
What Can You Find with State of Massachusetts Inmate Search
Massachusetts inmate search may provide the following information about individuals incarcerated in the state:
- Full name and aliases
- Date of birth
- Race and ethnicity
- Gender
- Inmate identification number
- Current correctional facility name, location, and contact information
- Sentencing details
- Custody status
- Current charges and convictions
- Parole possibility/date
- Mugshots
- Reporting agency
Jail and Inmate Search in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Corrections reported that as of January 20, 2025, 6,169 inmates were under its jurisdiction. In 2022, the jail population was 6,732, while 255 youths were held across detention centers within the state. Massachusetts has an incarceration rate of 241 per 100,000 people, which is 2.5 times lower than the national average.
As of July 1, 2024, the racial/ethnic background of incarcerated offenders in Massachusetts prisons included 36% White, 31% Black African American, and 30% Hispanic. Additionally, 97% of inmates were male, while 3% were female. 38,000 residents are on probation in Massachusetts, while 1,400 are on parole.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Massachusetts Imprisonment Rate (per 100,000 people)
241
Prison Population ( All facilities/State & Federal Jails)
6,100 / 8,300
Probation Population
38,000
Parole Population
1,400
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 7:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 4:1
Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)
32
Disenfranchised Population
7,360 (0.14%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
2,097 (0.65%)
Corrections Expenditures (State)
$1.64 B
Massachusetts Parole Population
The parole population in Massachusetts increased from 1,450 at the start of 2022 to 1,660 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Massachusetts
29
Parole Total Population in Massachusetts (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
Massachusetts
1,660
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries 1,790
Exits
1,590
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
14.4%
Number
210
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
267
Massachusetts Prisons
Massachusetts Department of Corrections (MADOC) manages 13 prisons across the state. In addition, the state has 17 local sheriff's correctional centers (jails). The state's community corrections system oversees up to 14,400 inmates serving time in prisons and jails and supervises 38,000 people on probation and another 1,400 on parole.
The average cost of housing an inmate in MA is up to $300,000, depending on the facility. Based on 100,000 residents, Massachusetts has an incarceration rate of 241, a violent crime rate of 322, and a property crime rate of 1,070. The Department of Corrections has an annual budget of $1.64 billion and employs over 5,000 staff members. The Department of Corrections maintains an online directory of the prisons that are currently operating in Massachusetts.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Boston Pre-Release Center | State Prison |
| Bridgewater State Hospital | State Prison |
| Devens FMC | Federal Prison |
| Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit | State Prison |
| Massachusetts Correctional Institution - Plymouth | State Prison |
| Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Cedar Junction | State Prison |
| Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Concord | State Prison |
| Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Framingham | State Prison |
| Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Norfolk | State Prison |
| Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Shirley | State Prison |
| Massachusetts Treatment Center | State Prison |
| North Central Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Northeastern Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Old Colony Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Pondville Correctional Center | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
The section includes commonly asked questions about searching for inmates in Massachusetts and their answers:
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
Newly incarcerated offenders may not show up in Massachusetts jail inmate search results due to delays in updating the Department of Corrections database. In such cases, users may wait between 24 and 48 hours before searching for the inmate or contact the MADOC for assistance.
Also, entering incorrect search inputs, such as misspelled names or inaccurate ID numbers of inmates, may return no matching results. Users can verify the inmate's details or enter partial names/ID numbers for more search results. Furthermore, confidential inmate records like juvenile information and jail records sealed by the courts are typically excluded from inmate search results.
Only the Department of Correction and Essex County participate in the Massachusetts VINE program. Hence, inmates in county jails may not appear on the state's VINELink inmate search portal. However, users may access the relevant sheriff's office inmate roster instead.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in Massachusetts?
To check if someone is incarcerated in a Massachusetts jail:
- Conduct an inmate search using the person's name on the Massachusetts VINELink online portal.
- Call the VINE inmate search number at (866) 277-7477.
- If the individual is not in a state facility, visit or contact the relevant county Sheriff's Office or check their website for an inmate roster.
- Use third-party databases like RecordsFinder to perform an inmate search with the person's details.
- Contact the local arresting agency to make inquiries.
How Can I Conduct a Massachusetts Prison Inmate Search?
To locate an inmate in Massachusetts state prisons:
- Access the Massachusetts Inmate database:
- Visit the VINELink website and select Massachusetts
- Enter the inmate's full name or DOC ID number
- Choose the inmate's profile from the search results
- Alternatively, call the VINE hotline at (866) 277-7477 and provide the inmate's details
- Contact the Massachusetts DOC by phone at (508) 422-3312for assistance in locating an inmate
- Perform an inmate search on reliable third-party databases like RecordsFinder
