How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is Mississippi Inmate Search?
A Mississippi inmate search is the process of accessing public records to locate and obtain details about individuals housed in correctional facilities across the state. The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) facilitates public access to these records through the online inmate data search tool, which enables users to search inmates by names or MDOC ID numbers.
Inmate search not only aids in locating individuals but also promotes accountability and enhances public safety. The MDOC also provides a Facility Search service that allows users to search for the state's correctional facilities by name or location.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Mississippi?
Yes. Under the state's Public Records Law, inmate records are generally accessible. However, records sealed by court orders or related to ongoing investigations are typically exempt from public disclosure. Also, certain details, such as medical records, mental health information, juvenile records, or information that could compromise public or institutional safety, are restricted to protect privacy and security.
How To Perform Mississippi Inmate Lookup
The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) offers an online inmate search tool that allows inmate look-ups by name or ID. Users may access details such as the inmate's current facility, length of sentence, visitation eligibility, parole status, offense information, and release dates. Inquiries may also be made by email or by submitting a request with details, such as the inmate's name, MDOC number, or date of birth.
For additional assistance or specific inmate records, individuals may contact the MDOC's Records Division at (601) 933–2889. Obtaining certain records may cost some fees, typically payable by money order or cashier's check.On the other hand, county-level sheriffs maintain inmate rosters online, particularly in larger counties such as Hinds, Harrison, or DeSoto Counties.
How To Search for an Inmate in Mississippi
Interested individuals may search for offenders currently incarcerated, on probation, or on parole within the Mississippi prison system using the Offender Search Page on MDOC's official website. Enter search criteria such as the inmate's first and last name or MDOC ID number for a more precise search. Then click the "Search" button to view details about them. The search results will include the following:
- Offense information
- Current facility
- Sentence length
- Parole eligibility
- Release date
Alternatively, Mississippi inmate records may be requested by email. An email request should contain the inmate's number and full name. If the inmate number is unknown, additional details such as the inmate's exact date of birth, approximate age, or county of conviction can be included in the email to aid the search.
For inmates held in county jails, the specific county sheriff's office should be contacted. Many counties such as Hinds or DeSoto have online inmate rosters or search tools. However, fees may apply for obtaining certain inmate records.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Mississippi
Third-party websites like RecordsFinder offer free inmate search services in Mississippi. However, fees for accessing detailed inmate records, including criminal histories, may apply. Generally, interested members of the public may search for inmates in all Mississippi correctional facilities, including county, state, city, and federal prisons and jails, using reliable third-party services, but their accuracy and timeliness should be independently verified.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Mississippi
Federal inmates in Mississippi may be found using the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator. This online tool allows people to search for inmates in federal custody, including those housed in federal facilities in Mississippi. Searches may be conducted either by name or a BOP register number. The federal correctional facilities located in Mississippi include:
- Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Yazoo City
- Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Yazoo City
- United States Penitentiary (USP) Yazoo City High
What Can You Find with State of Mississippi Inmate Search
Using the State of Mississippi Inmate Search tool provided by the Department of Corrections (MDOC) to find an inmate will typically return detailed information that includes the following:
- Inmate's personal details
- Facilities information
- Incarceration details
- Offense Information
- Custody status
- Conviction information
- Inmate's offense history
Jail and Inmate Search in Mississippi
Mississippi has an incarceration rate of 661 per 100,000 people. As of 2024, Mississippi's correctional system housed approximately 19,317 inmates across various facilities within the state. County jails held about 1,270 inmates, while Community Work Centers accommodated around 518 inmates during the same period. In terms of racial demographics, the Mississippi Department of Corrections reported the following racial population among inmates:
- Black: 62.21%
- White: 33.31%
- Hispanic: 1.17%
- Native American: 0.16%
- Asian: 0.15%
- Other: 0.04%
The incarceration rate for Black residents in Mississippi is 2.5 times higher than that of White residents. Generally, the community corrections system in Mississippi oversees a population of 30.380 individuals under probation and 9,270 inmates on parole.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Mississippi Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)
661
Probation Population
30,380
Parole Population
9,270
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 1.86:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 1:28.5
Disenfranchised Population
234,000 (3.1%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
131,290 (5.19%)
* Mississippi's incarceration rate includes statistical data from prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice centers.
Mississippi Parole Population
At the beginning of 2022, Mississippi's parole population was 40,420, and it dropped to 39,660 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Mississippi
411
Parole Total Population in Mississippi (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
Mississippi
11,470
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Reported Entries
Reported Exits
12,230
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
3.2%
Number
930
Number of Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
Mississippi Prisons
Mississippi's prison system is managed by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) and includes state-operated facilities such as the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, Mississippi State Penitentiary, and South Mississippi Correctional Institution. It also comprises private prisons, including East Mississippi Correctional Facility and county jails that house state inmates. The system focuses on reducing recidivism through rehabilitation programs, including education, substance abuse treatment, and vocational training.
State-operated correctional facilities have about 2,500 employees and an annual budget of $353.6 million. It costs the state an average of $59.24 per day in MDOC facilities to house and care for each inmate. Mississippi reported a violent crime rate of 245 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2022, which is about 36% lower than the national average of 381 per 100,000. The property crime rate in Mississippi was approximately 1,747 incidents per 100,000 residents.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Adams County Jail | Federal Prison |
| CMCF - Central Mississippi Correctional Facility | State Prison |
| MSP - Mississippi State Penitentiary | State Prison |
| SMCI - South Mississippi Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Yazoo City Low FCI | Federal Prison |
| Yazoo City Medium FCI | Federal Prison |
| Yazoo County Jail | Federal Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions and answers about searching for inmates in Mississippi:
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An inmate may not appear in a search if held in a county jail, transferred to a federal facility, or if the search criteria entered are inaccurate. Information about such inmates may only be obtained by contacting the holding facility, such as city jails, county jails, or federal prisons. If the issue is a result of incorrect search criteria, double-check the details for any spelling errors or inaccuracies, or contact the MDOC directly for assistance. Other possible reasons include sealed records and recent transfers.
How Can You Check If Someone Is in Jail in Mississippi?
An interested party may check if someone is in jail in Mississippi by doing any of the following:
- Use the MDOC Inmate Locator tool to conduct a search
- Call the MDOC directly for state prison inquiries
- Contact the local sheriff's office, particularly if the person in question has been charged
How Can You Conduct a Mississippi Prison Inmate Search?
A Mississippi prison inmate search may be performed online through the MDOC search portal or by contacting the Department of Corrections directly. Alternatively, reliable third-party inmate record search platforms like RecordsFinder may assist in locating inmates' records in the state. State-provided tools are typically free, while third-party platforms may impose certain fees (usually small) based on the specific information requested.
