How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is Alaska Inmate Search?
An Alaska inmate search is the method of obtaining information about individuals who are currently incarcerated in jails, prisons, or detention facilities within the state of Alaska.
Among its various roles, the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) oversees the state's correctional facilities and maintains official jail records. To make inmate information readily available to the public, the department utilizes VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), a toll-free automated service that provides inmate details and notifications. Consequently, through the VINELink platform, users can receive timely and reliable information about inmates within the Alaska DOC system. Additionally, the public can perform an inmate search by submitting a formal records request directly to the Alaska DOC.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Alaska?
Yes. The Alaska Public Records Act (APRA) gives the public the right to inspect and copy public records, including those held by the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC). However, certain Alaska jail records are exempt from public access to protect sensitive details.
For instance, juvenile records are safeguarded to ensure the confidentiality of minors. Also, sensitive information that may lead to the invasion of the privacy of a victim or witness is exempt from public disclosure.
How To Perform Alaska Inmate Lookup
By entering their name or ID number, you can look up information about an incarcerated person through the Alaska VINELink platform. A successful search result provides information such as custody status, name, facility location, gender, sentence length, photos (if available), tentative release date, aliases, parole hearings, and offense details.
How To Search for an Inmate in Alaska
To search for an incarcerated person in Alaska, visit the Alaska VINELink platform and select the "search" tab at the top of the navigation page. Then, enter the offender identification number or the first and last name, and click "search".
In the situation where the exact name of an inmate is unknown, select the "partial name" tab and enter the first two characters of the last name of the inmate to include potential matches in the search result. You may also select the "display offender photos" tab to verify your result.
As an alternative, requestors may perform a jail inmate search through the public records request page on the Alaska DOC's website and receive inmate information by email or postal mail.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Alaska
Any member of the public may perform a free Alaska Inmate Search through various reliable third-party services. While a basic search is typically free of charge, it is important to note that a more comprehensive search may involve a fee. Additionally, third-party platforms, such as RecordsFinder, offer in-depth physical descriptions and personal information of inmates housed in state and private correctional facilities within Alaska.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Alaska
The Inmate Locator tool provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) enables the public to conduct an inmate search for offenders housed in federal prisons by providing either a BOP register number or the inmate's full name, race, sex, and age.
However, Alaska does not currently have any federal correctional institutions or penitentiaries. Federal inmates who are awaiting sentencing are housed in state correctional facilities, while those sentenced may be transferred to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), located in Sheridan, Oregon.
What Can You Find with State of Alaska Inmate Search
Depending on your search method, you can obtain information about inmates in Alaska, such as:
- Custody status
- Full name
- ID number
- Facility location
- Tentative release date
- Parole eligibility status
- Criminal charges
- Mugshot or photograph (if available)
If your preferred method for conducting an Alaska inmate search is the Alaska VINELink platform, you may opt to receive notifications concerning custody changes (whether the inmate is in custody, released, or has escaped) and criminal case information.
Jail and Inmate Search in Alaska
In Alaska, the state correctional system is a unified system where all correctional functions, including jails and prisons, are integrated and managed by the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC). As of July 2024, there were 4,554 inmates in Alaska prisons, a figure slightly higher than the population in 2023. With 744 individuals per 100,000 people incarcerated, Alaska's incarceration rate surpasses the U.S. national average.
A significant portion of Alaska's prison population is of White or Alaska Native origin. Approximately 39.4% of them are White, while Alaska Natives make up 40.9% of the population. African Americans account for 10.5% of prison admissions, and only 2.86% are of Hispanic ethnicity. Additionally, at least 2,500 people are on probation, and 830 inmates are on parole supervision in Alaska.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Alaska Imprisonment Rate (per 100,000 people)
744
Probation Population
2,500
Parole Population
830
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 4.7:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 0.6:1
Juvenile Custody Rate per 100,00 juveniles
195
Disenfranchised Population
5,145
Disenfranchised African Americans
443
Corrections Expenditures (State)
$450.6 M
Alaska Parole Population
At the beginning of 2022, the inmate population on parole in Alaska was 870. By the year's end, this population decreased to 750. The analysis below is derived from the 2022 Annual Probation Survey of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Alaska
134
Parole Total Population in Alaska (2022)
Nationwide
698,800
Alaska
750
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
300
Exits
400
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
13.8%
Number
-120
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
43
Alaska Prisons
Alaska is one of the six states in the United States that operates a unified correctional system, in which prisons and jails are integrated under a single management structure. The state has 13 prisons and 15 locally operated jails. Alaskan prisons have a fluctuating number of inmate admissions, with an annual average of 4,200 inmates. Also, the state is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the public and therefore provides secure confinement along with rehabilitation programs to help inmates become better members of society after release. The cost of housing an inmate per day is $202, with an annual budget of $450.6 million.
The 13 state prisons in Alaska vary in security levels and are located across various regions of the state. They include:
- Anchorage Correctional Complex
- Anvil Mountain Correctional Center
- Goose Creek Correctional Center
- Hiland Mountain Correctional Center
- Fairbanks Correctional Center
- Mat-Su Pretrial
- Lemon Creek Correctional Center
- Ketchikan Correctional Center
- Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center
- Palmer Correctional Center
- Point Mackenzie Correctional Farm
- Wildwood Correctional Complex
- Spring Creek Correctional Center
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Anchorage Correctional Complex | State Prison |
| Anvil Mountain Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Fairbanks Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Goose Creek Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Hiland Mountain Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Ketchikan Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Lemon Creek Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Mat-Su Pretrial | State Prison |
| Palmer Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Point Mackenzie Correctional Farm | State Prison |
| Spring Creek Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Wildwood Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Wildwood Pretrial Facility | State Prison |
| Wildwood Transitional Program | State Prison |
| Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An individual conducting a jail inmate search in Alaska may encounter limitations due to privacy restrictions employed to ensure the protection of sensitive information, such as details of an ongoing investigation or an inmate's medical records. Furthermore, technical issues, system maintenance, or glitches may affect access to inmate information.
For instance, individuals using the Alaska VINELink platform may not find information if the facility housing an inmate experiences a loss of connection to the VINE system due to required maintenance or service interruption. Additionally, search results may be unavailable or incomplete if the inmate is no longer in custody or has been released for a period exceeding two weeks. In such situations, you may contact the correctional facility or the Alaska DOC directly.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in Alaska?
You can check if someone is in jail in Alaska through the VINELink platform if you have their full name and ID number. To verify their current location, you may call the VINE toll-free number at 1-800-247-9763. Alternatively, if you have sufficient details regarding the individual, you may contact the Alaska DOC central office at (970) 465-4652.
How Can I Conduct an Alaska Prison Inmate Search?
The quickest method to carry out an Alaska prison inmate search is by utilizing online tools. You can access real-time information about the custody status and release date of an inmate through VINELink. Also, other third-party platforms, such as RecordsFinder, provide accurate and reliable information on current or recently incarcerated individuals.
Submitting a public records request directly to the Alaska DOC is also an alternative. You may complete your request by visiting the department's website and providing sufficient details to expedite your response.
