How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is West Virginia Inmate Search?
West Virginia Inmate search involves looking up inmates held in correctional facilities within the state. Through an inmate search, members of the public can locate persons in detention, find out the conviction that resulted in the imprisonment, and determine the inmate's potential release date.
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDOCR) is responsible for supervising correctional facilities and maintaining inmate records in the state. Anyone may quickly access these records using any of the division's offender search platforms.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, access to inmate records is governed by the Freedom of Information Act. Inmate search records are generally considered public under this Act. As such, anyone can obtain most records in the custody of the WVDOCR without legal restrictions. However, certain types of records are exempt from public disclosure, including investigatory details, sensitive personal information, and records sealed by court orders. These confidential records may not be accessed through an inmate search.
How To Perform a West Virginia Inmate Lookup
The WVDOCR maintains and facilitates public access to information on individuals incarcerated in West Virginia. You may look up these records, including inmates' location, mugshots, custody status, release dates, and sentence information, using the WVDOCR Jail Search, Prison Search, and Daily Incarceration tools.
The Jail Search tool provides information on persons detained in county jail facilities, while the Prison Search tool focuses on inmates in state prisons. To find someone recently admitted to custody in the state, use the Daily Incarcerations tool. These tools typically allow users to locate inmates by name or offender ID number.
How To Search for an Inmate in West Virginia
You can search for an inmate in West Virginia using any of the WVDOCR offender search tools. To locate someone in a state prison, use the Prison Search tool by entering the person's offender number. Alternatively, you can conduct a name search by entering the inmate's first and last names. A successful search will display basic details, such as the inmate's name, mugshot, location, and offender ID. Clicking on the inmate's profile will reveal additional information.
For inmates held in county facilities, use the Jail Search tool. This tool allows you to search by the inmate's last name, with the option to narrow results by adding their first name.
The Daily Incarceration Search provides a daily list of individuals admitted to jail in each West Virginia county. It includes details such as dates of birth, charges, case numbers, booking dates, and custody status. You can access these details simply by selecting the county where the inmate was arrested or detained.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in West Virginia
In West Virginia, members of the public may locate inmate records free of charge using third-party resources like RecordsFinder. These services allow users to search for inmates across all levels of government without the need to navigate multiple tools. In addition to user-friendly search options, they also offer users the opportunity to purchase detailed inmate reports for a nominal fee.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in West Virginia
The Federal Bureau of Prison's (BOP) Inmate Locator provides information on individuals incarcerated in federal correctional facilities within West Virginia, including the following:
- Alderson FPC
- Beckley FCI
- Gilmer FCI
- Hazelton FCC
- McDowell FCI
- Morgantown FPC
The Inmate Locator tool allows users to search federal inmates by register numbers and names. You can conduct a number search if you have an inmate's BOP, FBI, DCDC, or INS number. Alternatively, you can use the name search feature to look up inmates by their first and last names. To refine your results, the tool also offers additional search criteria, such as age, sex, and race, making it easier to locate the correct inmate.
What Can You Find with State of West Virginia Inmate Search
The WVDOCR offender search tools promote transparency in the correctional system by ensuring public access to several details on inmates in West Virginia, such as the following:
- Full names
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Physical appearance
- Mugshots
- Release dates
- Parole status
- Sentencing information
- Criminal charges
- Booking details
- Case number
- Location
- Bond details
Jail and Inmate Search in West Virginia
In 2024, West Virginia had a prison population of more than 5,123 individuals, along with a jail population of around 4,543 inmates, resulting in an incarceration rate of 647 per 100,000 residents. Within the same period, 289 juveniles were in juvenile detention facilities across the states.
In addition to having an incarceration rate higher than the national average, West Virginia also supervises over 6,000 individuals on probation and 3,100 inmates on parole. Furthermore, the state's inmate population consists of 75% White, 12% Black, and 1% Hispanic inmates.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
West Virginia Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 people)
674
Prison Population (All facilities/State & Federal jails)
5,800 / 1,300
Probation Population
6,100
Parole Population
3,100
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 3.8:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 0.3:1
Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)
202
Disenfranchised Population
15,696 (1.10%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
1,810 (3.67%)
Corrections Expenditures (State/Local)
$340 M / $53 M
* West Virginia's incarceration rate includes statistics for prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities.
West Virginia Parole Population
The West Virginia parole population was 9,230 at the beginning of 2022 but increased to 10,130 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
West Virginia
712
Parole Total Population in West Virginia (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
West Virginia
10,130
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
9,070
Exits
8,170
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
9.8%
Number
900
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
267
West Virginia Prisons
With an annual budget of around $400 million, the West Virginia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 5,123 inmates spread across 16 prisons and 4,543 inmates in 10 jails. The department has a staff strength of around 3,000 employees and spends an average of $35,452 on each prison inmate per year. The West Virginia community corrections system oversees 6,100 people on probation and another 3,100 on parole. Based on 100,000 residents, West Virginia has an overall incarceration rate of 674, a property crime rate of 1,230, and a violent crime rate of 278.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Alderson FPC | Federal Prison |
| Anthony Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Anthony Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Beckley Correctional Center and Jail | State Prison |
| Beckley Correctional Center and Jail | State Prison |
| Beckley FCI | Federal Prison |
| Charleston Correctional Center and Jail | State Prison |
| Charleston Correctional Center and Jail | State Prison |
| Denmar Correctional Center and Jail | State Prison |
| Gilmer FCI | Federal Prison |
| Hazelton FCI | Federal Prison |
| Hazelton USP | Federal Prison |
| Huntington Work Release Center (HWRC) | State Prison |
| Huttonsville Correctional Center and Jail | State Prison |
| Lakin Correctional Center and Jail | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions about West Virginia inmate search and their answers:
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
Although the WVDOCR offender search tools are generally reliable, omissions in the databases may cause certain inmate records not to appear. This may occur during system maintenance or if a recently incarcerated inmate has not been fully profiled. Errors in search inputs can also make it difficult to locate inmates.
Furthermore, using the correct tools matters when searching for an inmate in West Virginia. For example, the Daily Incarceration Search provides information on recently detained individuals. In contrast, the Prison Search tool provides details of people in state prisons. To find persons in jail facilities, use the Jail Search tool.
If you encounter difficulties despite using the correct tool and search inputs, you can seek assistance from the WVDOCR by calling (304) 558-2110.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in West Virginia?
The Daily Incarceration Search is a quick and efficient way to check if someone has been recently incarcerated in West Virginia. For more specific details about the facility where the person is being held, you can use the Prison Search and Jail Search tools. You can also input inmates' details in the BOP Inmate Locator to verify if they are in federal custody.
Additionally, the local law enforcement agencies within the location where an inmate was arrested or charged may be able to provide information on the whereabouts of the inmate.
How Can I Conduct a West Virginia Prison Inmate Search?
You can begin by looking up recent inmates in the county of arrest using the Daily Incarceration Search. If the person is not listed on the portal, you may then proceed to conduct a search using the Prison and Jail Search tools. Both tools allow users to search inmates by name. However, the Prison Search tool has an additional Offender ID feature. Requesters may also use third-party websites like RecordsFinder to conduct quick searches across state, federal, and local facilities.
