How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is Minnesota Inmate Search?
A Minnesota inmate search allows interested individuals to access information about incarcerated persons held in correctional facilities across the state. This includes the inmate's name, current facility, sentencing information, charges, and release date.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC) provides different resources for people, law enforcement agencies, or researchers looking to locate inmates held in state prisons. These resources generally ensure transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system and public safety, as well as help attorneys in legal proceedings. Interested persons may view inmate records online using the MN Incarcerated Individual Search tool. They can also mail, phone, or visit the DOC to obtain jail records in Minnesota.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Minnesota?
Yes, Minnesota inmate search records are open to the public under the Government Data Practices Act. Interested persons can view digital copies of these records online or obtain paper copies from the MN Department of Corrections. State and federal laws may restrict public access to certain Minnesota jail records. These include records related to juveniles, ongoing investigations, confidential informants, mental health information, and data that could compromise security or safety within correctional facilities.
How To Perform Minnesota Inmate Lookup
To conduct a Minnesota inmate lookup, you should have any of the two search criteria: the inmate's name or MNDOC Offender ID. After entering the necessary details, the inmate search database will generate a list of matching results, including the inmate's name, date of birth, alias, Offender ID, and current status. If no exact matches are found, requesters may be prompted to refine their search with additional details.
How To Search for an Inmate in Minnesota
You may launch the MN Department of Corrections website to look up an inmate housed in state prisons. Find and click the "Locator" option on the website. Next, select a search criteria, name, or MNDOC Offender ID, to enter the relevant details where necessary. Submit the information by clicking "Search", the database will return a list of matching results. Click on the desired inmate's name from the list to access details such as sentence date, court information, current location, and offense type.
Other ways to find Minnesota jail records include the following:
- Submit an Offender Record Request by phone, fax, or via email
- Use the MNDOC Directory to find and contact the administrative officers in each correctional facility
- Use the Minnesota Sheriff List to find and contact the local sheriffs for access to inmates in local county jails or detention centers.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Minnesota
Some reliable third-party services, like RecordsFinder, typically provide access to inmate records in Minnesota. Anyone can use these private search platforms to conduct a Minnesota inmate search free of charge. The user-friendly search databases can provide information on state, local, or federal prison inmates. Some search systems may offer additional services, such as real-time alerts and background checks only to paid subscribers.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Minnesota
Anyone searching for federal inmates in Minnesota may use the BOP Inmate Locator. Managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the inmate locator offers information on incarcerated persons confined in federal institutions located in Minnesota, including:
- Duluth Federal Prison Camp (FPC)
- Minneapolis Residential Reentry Management (RRM)
- Rochester Federal Medical Center (FMC)
- Sandstone Federal Correctional Institution (FCI)
- Waseca Federal Correctional Institution (FCI)
To conduct a federal inmate search in Minnesota, go to the BOP Inmate Locator and select one of the search options below:
- Search By Name: Enter the full names of the inmate and narrow the search by including other details such as the inmate's race, age, and sex
- Search by Number: Enter the inmate's BOP registration number. Other acceptable registration numbers include:
- DCDC (District of Columbia Department of Corrections) number
- FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) number
- INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services) number
The federal inmate search tool only provides the names, current facilities, incarceration status, and other details of inmates in custody since 1982. Older records predating 1982 are accessible through the National Archives Records Administration (NARA).
What Can You Find with State of Minnesota Inmate Search
Minnesota inmate searches typically provide the following inmate information:
- Demographic Information
- Inmate's Photo/Mugshot
- MNDOC Offender ID
- Inmate's Name
- Also Known As Name
- Birth Date
- Current Status
- Current Facility
- Sentence Date
- Expiration Date
- Caseworker/Agent name
- Current Offense Information
- Highest Ranked Offense
- Court File Number
Jail and Inmate Search in Minnesota
Minnesota's prison population declined from over 8,600 in 2022 to about 8,300 inmates in 2024. In 2022, approximately 5,300 inmates were held in county jails, while 513 youths were housed in detention centers across the state. Additionally, the probation and parole population in the same year was 86,000 and 6,770, respectively.
In the state's prisons, 47% of inmates are White, 35% are Black, 9% are Native American, 6% are Hispanic, and 3% are Asian. Minnesota's incarceration rate of 151 per 100,000 persons is relatively low compared to the US.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Minnesota Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)
151
Probation Population
86,000
Parole Population
6,770
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 9.9:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 1.9:1
Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)
62
Disenfranchised Population
9,572 (0.23%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
3,367 (1.59%)
Corrections Expenditures (state/local)
$561 M / $636 M
Minnesota Parole Population
The Minnesota parole population dropped from 6,980 on January 1, 2022, to 6,770 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Minnesota
153
Parole Total Population in Minnesota (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
Minnesota
6,770
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
3,960
Exits
4,160
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
3.0%
Number
210
Number of Parole per 100,000 US Adult Residents
Decreased by
267
Minnesota Prisons
Minnesota has 11 state correctional facilities managed by the Department of Corrections and 78 county jails managed by the county sheriffs. The state prisons hold more than 8,000 inmates, while the county jails house about 5,300 inmates. The MNDOC had about 4,000 employees and a $560 million budget in 2022.
In Minnesota, 86,000 individuals are on probation, while about 6,700 inmates are eligible for parole. Housing and feeding an inmate in the state costs more than $80,000 annually. Based on 100,000 residents, Minnesota's incarceration rate is 151, while its violent and property crime rates are 280 and 1,966.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Duluth FPC | Federal Prison |
| Lino Lakes | State Prison |
| Minneapolis RRM | Federal Prison |
| Minnesota Correctional Facility - Oak Park Heights | State Prison |
| Minnesota Correctional Facility - Red Wing | State Prison |
| Minnesota Correctional Facility – Faribault | State Prison |
| Moose Lake - MCF | State Prison |
| Red Wing (Adult) | State Prison |
| Rochester FMC | Federal Prison |
| Rush City | State Prison |
| Sandstone FCI | Federal Prison |
| Shakopee | State Prison |
| St. Cloud | State Prison |
| Stillwater | State Prison |
| Togo (CIP) | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about Minnesota inmate searches and their corresponding answers.
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An inmate's information may not appear in a Minnesota inmate search for the following reasons:
- The inmate's records may have been expunged or sealed by court orders.
- Incorrect search criteria, such as names, offender IDs, and registration numbers, were provided on the database.
- The database may not have been updated to reflect current transfers between facilities.
- The inmate may have been released, so their details are no longer on the database
- The inmates are juveniles or minors, and their information is not publicly accessible under state and federal laws.
- The state's inmate search system only includes inmates housed in state-run facilities, not those in county jails or federal prisons.
Requesters may contact the Minnesota Division of Corrections to resolve any issues on the search portal or make other related inquiries.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in Minnesota?
You may check if someone is in jail in Minnesota by taking any of these steps:
- Go to the MNDOC Locator and search using the inmate's name or offender ID
- Submit a search request by phone, email, or fax
- Call or visit the administrative officers in any of the state's correctional facility
- Contact the nearest county sheriff to make inquiries about incarcerated persons or visit the sheriff's official website to access their jail rosters.
- Use the BOP Inmate Locator tool if the individual may be in federal custody
How Can I Conduct a Minnesota Prison Inmate Search?
You may search Minnesota prison inmates online through MNDOC's Inmate Search portal. Other ways to find inmates in Minnesota prisons include contacting the MNDOC by email or checking the BOP inmate locator. Reliable third-party inmate record search sites like RecordsFinder provide an easy way to conduct Minnesota inmate searches.
