How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is the Washington Inmate Search?
Washington inmate search is the process of accessing information about individuals held in correctional facilities in the state through public repositories. Various inmate records are available online to ensure easy access for members of the public and promote transparency in the correctional system.
The Washington Department of Corrections publishes information on current inmates in state-run prisons through its Incarcerated Search portal. Requesters may also contact the department in person or via mail to obtain detailed reports on current and past inmates in the state.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Washington?
Yes, inmate search records are open to the public in Washington. The Washington Public Records Act allows members of the public to access records maintained by several government agencies, including the DOC. However, sensitive records are exempt from public access and, as such, may not be disclosed in inmate records. These include investigation records, healthcare information, security information, and certain personal records.
How To Perform Washington Inmate Lookup
You may access information about inmates incarcerated in Washington using the DOC's Incarcerated Search portal. The portal has a form where users can enter an inmate's name or DOC number. If the details match an inmate's record, the portal displays the inmate's full name, age, location, DOC number, and victim notification status. Where several individuals share the same name, the portal will typically provide a list of all the inmates whose names correspond with the search.
Additional information, such as race, sentence information, date of execution, release date, supervision conditions, and parole status, is available through the DOC's public records portal. You may also obtain these details by visiting the department or mailing in a written request.
How To Search for an Inmate in Washington
In Washington, members of the public can search for inmates currently detained in state-run correctional facilities using the DOC Incarcerated Search portal. To find an inmate, enter the person's name or DOC number and click the search button. The portal will then display matching records or notify you if no results are found.
However, to obtain more comprehensive reports on an inmate in Washington, create an account on the DOC's public records portal and select public records requests from your dashboard. Following these, complete the request form and pay the applicable fees.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Washington
In addition to public resources, you may conduct an inmate search in Washington for free using third-party databases like RecordsFinder. These platforms often provide advanced search filters and user-friendly interfaces, making it easy to locate inmates across federal, state, and local detention facilities in the state. They also offer affordable subscription plans for users that require detailed search reports.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Washington
In Washington, individuals in custody for violating federal laws are typically held in federal correctional facilities maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The state is home to the following federal prisons:
- SeaTac FDC
- Seattle RRM
You can locate inmates in these facilities using the BOP Inmate Locator tool. This platform allows you to search for current and recently released federal inmates. Users can find inmates by entering their BOP, DCDC, INS, or FBI numbers in the number search form. If you do not have any of these details, you can conduct a name search and refine results using additional criteria like age, race, and sex.
An inmate search on the BOP Locator will display basic information about an inmate, including full name, register number, and custody status. The tool also provides links users can use to call, email, or send money to the inmate.
What Can You Find with State of Washington Inmate Search
Inmate search resources in Washington, including the DOC Incarcerated Search tool and record request portal, grant public access to various types of inmate records, such as the following:
- Inmate's name
- Age and race
- DOC number
- Facility location
- Date of birth
- Date of commitment/release
- Supervision conditions
- Sentence information
- Parole details
Jail and Inmate Search in Washington
Washington has an incarceration rate of 373 per 100,000 residents, significantly lower than the national average of 614. The state's correctional system also supervises over 62,000 individuals on probation and another 11,000 on parole.
The state's prison system houses over 14,300 inmates in DOC-run facilities, while another 10,000 are held in county jail facilities. Additionally, more than 4,055 juveniles were admitted to juvenile detention facilities. Around 55% of inmates in Washington are White, while approximately 18% are Black. Hispanic inmates constitute around 16% of the incarcerated population.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Washington Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 people)
373
Prison Population (All facilities/State & Federal jails)
14,373 / 2,300
Probation Population
62,000
Parole Population
11,000
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 5.5:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 1.2:1
Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)
51
Disenfranchised Population
15,577 (0.28%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
2,666 (1.32%)
Corrections Expenditures (State/Local)
$1.3 B / $870 M
* Washington's incarceration rate includes statistics for prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities.
Washington Parole Population
The Washington parole population was 63,340 at the beginning of 2022 but decreased to 61,500 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Washington
997
Parole Total Population in Washington (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
Washington
61,500
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
31,430
Exits
32,230
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
-2.9%
Number
-1,840
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
267
Washington Prisons
Washington's correctional system runs over 50 local jail facilities and 11 state-run prisons. There are over 10,000 inmates in the jail facilities, while the state prisons house more than 14,000 residents. The state's Department of Corrections operates off an annual budget of $1.3 billion and a staff of more than 8,000 employees.
Based on 100,000 residents, WA has a violent crime rate of 375.6 and an overall incarceration rate of 373. It costs the state $ 82,377 to cater to each inmate per year. The state community corrections system also oversees 62,000 people on probation and 11,000 inmates on parole.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) | State Prison |
| Cedar Creek Corrections Center (CCCC) | State Prison |
| Clallam Bay Corrections Center (CBCC) | State Prison |
| Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (CRCC) | State Prison |
| Larch Corrections Center (LCC) | State Prison |
| Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW) | State Prison |
| Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) | State Prison |
| Olympic Corrections Center (OCC) | State Prison |
| SeaTac FDC | Federal Prison |
| Seattle RRM | Federal Prison |
| Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC) | State Prison |
| Washington Corrections Center (WCC) | State Prison |
| Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) | State Prison |
| Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions about Washington inmate search and their answers:
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An inmate may not show up in your search if you are using the wrong tool for your search. For example, you are not likely to find information on federal inmates through the DOC Incarcerated. The appropriate tool for such a search is the BOP Inmate Locator.
Additionally, some inmates may not show up if they were recently incarcerated, if the database is still being updated, or if their records are legally protected from public access. Furthermore, double-check your search inputs for errors, as even small mistakes can lead to unsuccessful results. If you are still unable to locate the inmate, contact the DOC for further guidance.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in Washington?
There are several public portals and third-party websites where you can search for inmates in Washington. You can typically check if someone is detained in a state-run facility by searching the person's details on the DOC Incarcerated Search portal. Similarly, details of federal inmates may be accessed through the BOP Inmate Locator.
You may also contact local law enforcement agencies for information on the whereabouts of some detained in connection with criminal offenses within their jurisdiction. These agencies also often have search tools for inmates in local jails.
How Can I Conduct a Washington Prison Inmate Search?
The DOC Incarcerated Search portal allows members of the public to search for an inmate in Washington prisons. You can conduct a search by entering the inmate's name or DOC number in the portal and clicking the search button. The portal then generates a list of inmates that match the search criteria.
Alternatively, anyone may obtain reports on an inmate in DOC-run prisons by submitting a public records request through the department's records portal or using third-party sites like RecordsFinder. In addition to this, anyone may request an inmate's details from the DOC in person, via mail, or by email.
