How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is New Mexico Inmate Search?
A New Mexico inmate search is the process of looking up public records to find and gather information about people incarcerated in detention centers and correctional facilities across the state. The public may access this information using the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) online Inmate Locator Tool, which allows users to search for inmates by name or offender numbers.
The NMCD Inmate Locator Tool promotes transparency and public safety by making inmate records readily available upon request. In addition to the NMCD, county jails in New Mexico have inmate rosters for inmates under their jurisdiction. Larger counties such as Bernalillo and Doña Ana maintain online inmate rosters.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico allows public access to inmate records under the state's Inspection of Public Records Act. However, certain records are restricted to ensure privacy and maintain institutional security. They include:
- Medical or mental health information.
- Details related to juvenile offenders.
- Records sealed by court orders or tied to ongoing investigations.
How To Perform New Mexico Inmate Lookup
The NMCD's online search tool allows users to search for inmate details by entering their name, offender ID, or other search criteria. Individuals may contact the NMCD directly by visiting the administrative office in person. Moreover, they may make an email request. However, requesting parties must provide the inmate's full name, Inmate's full name, NMCD number (if available), Date of birth, or any identifying information. Individuals may contact the Records Division at (505) 827-8662 for specific inmate records.
Accessing documents may require payment of fees, usually made via money order or cashier's check. Online lists of nearby jails and detention facilities are also kept up to date by major counties in New Mexico. Examples include Bernalillo County. Santa Fe County, Doña Ana County, and San Juan County also offer comparable inmate search services through their sheriff's or detention center websites. In addition, the Sheriff's Association website provides a list of New Mexico County Sheriff's contact details.
How To Search for an Inmate in New Mexico
Interested individuals may search for inmates in New Mexico by visiting the NMCD Offender Search page. The following steps are required to search:
- Input search criteria such as the inmate's first and last name, jail number, or Offender ID number
- Click "Search" to view the results
The search results will generate a list of inmates, including their name, ethnicity, gender, age, and current facility information. From there, interested parties may refine their search and select any record to view detailed information. This may include the inmate's full name, race, gender, date of birth, aliases, sentencing details, parole eligibility, facility location with visitation directions, offense history, release dates, Incarceration status, mugshots, and comprehensive criminal background.
For inmates housed in county jails, users may contact the local sheriff's offices or visit their websites. Inquiries to NMCD or county jails may also be submitted via email or phone, often requiring details such as the inmate's name, date of birth, or arrest location. Some counties may charge fees for accessing detailed records.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in New Mexico
The NMCD offers free access to its database through its official search tool. Additionally, Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) allows free searches and updates about inmate status. While state resources are free, third-party websites such as RecordsFinder, which also offer free inmate search services, may charge fees for additional details, including criminal histories.
Typically, interested members of the public may use these services to look up convicts in all New Mexico correctional facilities, including county, state, city, and federal prisons and jails. However, the accuracy and reliability of the information should be verified.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in New Mexico
Federal inmates in New Mexico can be located using the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator. This tool allows users to search by name or BOP register number. New Mexico's federal facilities include:
- Cibola County Correctional Center
- Otero County Processing Center
- Torrance County Detention Facility
What Can You Find with State of New Mexico Inmate Search
The NMCD Inmate Search offers comprehensive access to details about individuals' past involvements with the criminal justice system. Inmate searches conducted on the portal will return information such as:
- Personal details
- Current facility information
- Incarceration details
- Parole and probation details
- Offense Information
- Custody status
- Conviction information
- Inmate's offense history
Jail and Inmate Search in New Mexico
New Mexico has an incarceration rate of approximately 342 per 100,000 residents. As of 2024, the state housed about 6,500 inmates across its facilities. County jails, such as those in Bernalillo and Santa Fe, manage detainees awaiting trial or serving short sentences. According to the New Mexico Department of Corrections reports, the following is a list of the state's inmate population:
- Total Inmate Population: Approximately 7,100 in state facilities.
- County Jail Population: Nearly 2,500 inmates.
- Racial Demographics:
- Hispanic: ~48%
- White (Non-Hispanic): ~40%
- Native American: ~8%
- Black: ~3%
Additionally, the community corrections system in New Mexico oversees a population of 10,480 individuals under probation and 2,320 inmates on parole.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
New Mexico Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)
342
Prison Population (All facilities/State & Federal jails) - 5,316
Probation Population
10,480
Parole Population
2,320
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 1:13.3
Hispanic: White Ratio: 1.2:1
Disenfranchised Population
234,000 (3.1%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
131,290 (5.19%)
Corrections Expenditures (state/local)
$381 M / $25 M
* New Mexico's incarceration rate includes statistics from prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice centers.
New Mexico Parole Population
At the beginning of 2022, New Mexico's parole population stood at 2,320 and it declined to 2,270 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
New Mexico
164
Parole Total Population in New Mexico (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
New Mexico
2,320
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Reported Entries
Reported Exits
6,150
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
-3.3%
Number
-390
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
New Mexico Prisons
The New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) oversees the state's correctional facilities, focusing on public safety and inmate rehabilitation. As of June 30, 2023, there were 5,421 individuals confined in New Mexico prisons. State-operated facilities include the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility (CNMCF), Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM), Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility (SNMCF), and Western New Mexico Correctional Facility (WNMCF). On the other hand, privately operated facilities comprise Guadalupe County Correctional Facility and Northeast New Mexico Correctional Facility.
State-operated correctional facilities in New Mexico have approximately 2,521 full-time staff and an annual budget of $374.9 million. It costs the state an average of $135.8 per day in NMCD facilities to house and care for each inmate. New Mexico recorded a violent crime rate of 781 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2022. Additionally, the property crime rate reported by the state was approximately 1,838 incidents per 100,000 residents.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Correctional Facility | State Prison |
| Penitentiary of New Mexico | State Prison |
| Roswell Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility | State Prison |
| Springer Correctional Center | State Prison |
| Western New Mexico Correctional Facility | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions and answers about searching for inmates in New Mexico:
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An inmate may not appear in an inmate search for reasons such as if the incarcerated individual is being housed in a county jail, transferred to a federal facility, or has restricted records. Contacting the NMCD or the specific holding facility is recommended for accurate information. If the issue results from incorrect search parameters, double-check the details for any spelling inaccuracies.
How Can You Check If Someone Is in Jail in New Mexico?
To determine if someone is incarcerated in New Mexico, an interested party may do any of the following:
- Use the NMCD Offender Search tool to conduct an inmate search
- Contact the NMCD directly
- Call the local sheriff's office if the person is held in a county jail
How Can You Conduct a New Mexico Prison Inmate Search?
A New Mexico prison inmate search may be conducted through the NMCD search portal, by contacting the NMCD administrative office, or through third-party platforms such as RecordsFinder. While NMCD's services are free, third-party providers may charge a fee for detailed records.
