Ohio Inmate Search

What is Ohio Inmate Search?

An Ohio inmate search is a process that enables individuals to find and access information about persons currently incarcerated in Ohio correctional facilities. The process also provides details about individuals under departmental supervision, those who have been judicially released, or who died of natural causes while incarcerated. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) facilitates public access to these records through the online Offender Search tool which allows users to search inmates by names or ODRC ID numbers.

The ODRC promotes accountability in the correctional system and enhances public safety by facilitating access to inmates' records. In addition to the Offender Search, the ODRC provides a Facility Search service that allows users to locate the state's correctional facilities by name or location.

Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Ohio?

Yes. Under Ohio's Public Records Law, the public has the right to access information kept by state agencies, including correctional records. However, certain sensitive data, such as medical and mental health information, juvenile records, or personal identifiers may be restricted to protect privacy. Also, records sealed by court orders or related to ongoing investigations are typically exempt from public disclosure.

How To Perform Ohio Inmate Lookup

The ODRC's Offender Search tool enables users to find information on offenders who are currently incarcerated in Ohio prisons, under department supervision, or judicially released. To perform an inmate lookup, query parties may enter search parameters such as the offender's name, ID number, county of commitment, residential county, zip code, status, or the next parole board hearing date. The search results provide details including the offender's current location, offense information, sentence length, and parole eligibility.

For county-level facilities, some counties in Ohio, including the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, provide a regularly updated inmate roster with details like charges and booking dates. For additional assistance or specific inmate records, individuals may contact the ODRC directly at:

Obtaining certain records may involve some fees. The ODRC charges $0.05 per page plus postage for public records requests. Payment is typically required via money order. Inquiries may also be made via email or by submitting a request with details, such as the inmate's name, ODRC number, or date of birth.

How To Search for an Inmate in Ohio

Interested individuals may search for offenders currently incarcerated, on probation, or on parole in Ohio by using the Offender Search Page. To use this tool, enter search criteria like the inmate's first and last name or their unique offender ID number for a more precise search. Then click the "Search" button. This displays a list of matching individuals. Afterward, click on the individual's name to view detailed information about them. These include:

• Offense information
• Current facility
• Sentence length
• Parole eligibility
• Release date

For offenders held in county jails, it's advisable to contact the specific county sheriff's office. Counties such as Franklin, Hamilton, and Cuyahoga, have online inmate rosters or search tools.

Alternatively, Ohio inmate records may be requested by mail or email. An email request should contain the inmate's full name. The inmate's ODRC number and exact date of birth, approximate age, or county of conviction may be included in the email to facilitate the search.

How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Ohio

The ODRC provides a free online database where users may search for offenders by name, county, status, or parole hearing date. Also, VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) may be used to track the custody status of offenders in incarceration. Users may register to receive notifications by phone, email, or text message when an offender's custody status changes.

Furthermore, third-party websites such as RecordsFinder provide inmate search services that may include information from various correctional facilities including county, state, city, and federal prisons and jails. However, accessing detailed inmate records or comprehensive criminal histories may require payment of fees.

How To Find a Federal Inmate in Ohio

To find federal inmates in Ohio, you may use the Inmate Locator managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). This online resource allows interested individuals to search for persons incarcerated in federal facilities across the United States, including those housed in Ohio. Searches may be conducted either by name or an inmate's BOP register number, FBI number, or INS number.

The federal correctional facilities located in Ohio include:

• Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Allenwood
• Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Elkton

What Can You Find with State of Ohio Inmate Search

An inmate search conducted using the State of Ohio Inmate Search portal generally returns detailed information about individuals housed in state facilities, as well as those on probation or parole. The following are information that may be found through the search tools:

• Personal details
• Facilities information
• Incarceration details
• Offense Information
• Offense history
• Custody status
• Conviction information

Jail and Inmate Search in Ohio

Ohio has an incarceration rate of 621 per 100,000 residents as of 2024. Ohio's correctional system housed approximately 45,313 inmates across various facilities. County jails held about 20,582 inmates, while Community Work Centers accommodated around 1,200 inmates during the same period. In terms of racial demographics, the Ohio Department of Corrections reported the following racial composition among inmates:

• Black: 46%
• White: 52%
• Hispanic: 3%
• Other: 2%

Additionally, the incarceration rate for Black residents in Ohio is about 40% to 50%. The community corrections system in Ohio oversees a population of 186,900 individuals under probation and 19,150 inmates on parole.

Criminal Justice Quick Facts

Ohio Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)

621

Prison Population (All facilities/State & Federal jails)

71,000

Probation Population

186,900

Parole Population

19,150

Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate

Black: White Ratio: 0-8:1

Hispanic: White Ratio: 1:17.3

Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)

122

Disenfranchised Population

234,000 (3.1%)

Disenfranchised African Americans

131,290 (5.19%)

Corrections Expenditures (state/local)

$425 M / $10 M

* Ohio's incarceration rate includes statistical data from prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice centers.

Ohio Parole Population

At the beginning of 2022, Ohio's parole population was 21,477, and it dropped to 19,150 by the end of the year.

Ohio Prisons

Ohio's prison system is managed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) and includes state-operated facilities such as the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, Ohio State Penitentiary, and Toledo Correctional Institution. The system focuses on reducing recidivism as well as preparing inmates for integration into society through inmates' rehabilitation programs, including education, substance abuse treatment, and vocational training.

State-operated correctional facilities have 11,058 employees and run on an annual budget of $1.94 billion in 2022. It costs the state an average of $30,000 annually in ODRC facilities to house and care for each inmate. This includes operational costs and rehabilitation services.

Ohio reported a violent crime rate of 294 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2022, which is about 23% lower than the national average of 389.5 per 100,000. The property crime rate in Ohio was approximately 1,782.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. The property crime rate in the state increased by 3.6% from 2021 to 2022, while the national rate increased by 7.1% during the same period

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some frequently asked questions about searching for inmates in Ohio:

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