Arkansas Inmate Search

The Arkansas correctional system comprises state jails, county prisons, juvenile facilities, community correction centers, and work release centers. These facilities accommodate persons convicted of felony and misdemeanor offenses. Likewise, there are federal correctional institutions in Arkansas catering to persons sentenced for federal crimes. There are 34 state prisons and 76 county jails across Arkansas 75 counties. The state also has 3 federal correctional facilities housing inmates convicted for various federal offenses. The Arkansas correctional system does not have private prisons.

In Arkansas, several facilities handle the detention and rehabilitation of women and juveniles. There are 4 female detention centers and 3 juvenile treatment centers. These centers focus more on rehabilitation and educating inmates rather than punishment. They provide programs focusing on education, substance abuse treatment, and vocational training.

The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) is the central authority for all prisons in the state. Led by the Director, appointed by the state governor, the ADC is responsible for the custody and security of all inmates. The ADC provides rehabilitation services, vocational training, and educational programs for inmates to help reduce recidivism. The ADC is structured to ensure that each facility runs efficiently and effectively. Therefore, each correctional facility is managed by a warden responsible for the day-to-day operations. The warden provides adequate security for inmates and correctional officers. Correctional officers are directly responsible for enforcing the prison rules.

Arkansas Inmate SearchPrison in Arkansas

Arkansas prison system comprises the following types of facilities:

  • State Prisons: State prisons accommodate persons serving long-term sentences for felony crimes. State prisons categorize inmates based on security levels. Minimum security facilities house inmates convicted of non-violent offenses. Medium-security facilities manage inmates, requiring a minimum level of supervision and security, while maximum-security facilities house persons who pose a risk to public safety or have a history of violent behavior.
  • County Jails: County jails house persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes or persons awaiting trial. County jails serve persons serving shorter sentences, usually less than one year. Although county jails are part of the Arkansas correctional system, they are typically managed by the local county government.
  • Community Correction Centers: Community Correction Centers are facilities within the state's correctional system that cater to inmates who require rehabilitation support but do not need maximum security. The center focuses more on the rehabilitation of inmates rather than confining them.
  • Work Release Centers: These facilities accommodate inmates reaching the end of their sentence, allowing them to work in the community during the day and return to the facility at night. Work release centers help inmates transition back into society.
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According to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, the state's correctional system includes 34 state prisons and 76 county jails across its 75 counties. The system also features 3 federal correctional facilities for federal offenders, 4 female detention centers for women inmates, and 3 juvenile treatment centers for young offenders. Unlike many other states, Arkansas does not utilize private prisons in its correctional system.

Arkansas Department of Corrections Inmate Search

The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) oversees inmates and prison operations in the state. The ADC has two Divisions, the Division of Correction (DOC) and the Division of Community Corrections (DCC). The DOC manages all adult correctional facilities across Arkansas, from security to inmate housing and facility management. The DCC handles probationers and parolees, helping them transition back to society.

The ADC is responsible for the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the general public. It ensures that all inmates have access to healthcare services and rehabilitative programs. The ADC is also responsible for keeping and managing records of all inmates confined in its facilities. It uses a secured database to maintain inmate records. The database on the ADC website provides access to all inmate records from state prisons across the state.

Locating the inmate search tool requires searchers to navigate to the ADC website and click the "Inmates" icon on the homepage. This takes users to another page with access to all inmate information and inquiries. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Inmate Search". It takes users to the search tool, where users search for inmate records. Inmate records are accessible by name, ADC number, or facility.

User

Find Inmate by Name

Searchers may use the incarcerated person's name to find their inmate record. The web tool permits searchers to use the first and last name of the record holder. It is also possible to search the database with one known offender name. However, such searches will return multiple results as they will return all search names fitting the search criteria. For instance, entering the name Douglas will return all entries that match the name across all correctional facilities. Sometimes, additional information may be included alongside the name to help narrow down the results. They include:

  • Inmate county
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Race
  • Offense category
User

Find Inmate by Number

All inmates are assigned a number, the ADC number, at the time of entering a correctional facility. The ADC number is a unique identifier for all persons incarcerated across state prisons in Arkansas. The ADC number is a 6-digit number used to track and manage inmate records throughout their stay in the Arkansas correctional system. Since the ADC number is unique to each inmate, using the number to find inmate records produces the exact inmate record.

Jail

Find Inmate by Jail Type

Inmate records are also accessible on the ADC website using the jail type. If the facility where the inmate is locked up is known, searchers can select the appropriate facility from the drop-down menu. Using the facility alongside the name helps ensure that the right inmate records are located.

What Information is Contained in an Arkansas Inmate Record?

Inmate records, kept by the ADC, provide information on persons incarcerated in Arkansas state prisons. The following information is contained in prison records in the state:

  • Name: The inmate's legal name is recorded during the booking process. The inmate's name is the primary identifier on an inmate's record. The inmate's full legal name is recorded in Arkansas inmate records to differentiate one inmate from another to prevent mistaking one inmate for another, especially in cases where inmates have similar names.
  • Register No.: The registered number shown on inmates records is the unique number given to all inmates by the ADC at the time of intake into a correctional facility in Arkansas. Known as the ADC number, the registered number provides a quick method to access the precise inmate's record.
  • Age: Generally, the age listed on inmates' records reflects their present age and not their age at the time of release or incarceration. While inmate ages are not typically included in inmate records in Arkansas, the state lists the inmate's date of birth which may be used to calculate their current age.
  • Race: Inmate records contain information on incarcerated persons' race. Race refers to an individual racial background, which is typically listed on Arkansas inmate records as White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and others.
  • Sex: An inmate's sex refers to the gender recorded against the inmate during the booking process. Typically, it is listed as male or female in Arkansas.
  • Release Date: The release date is the anticipated date an inmate is scheduled to be released from prison. While Arkansas inmate records from the ADC do not reflect the inmate's release date, the record does have the date of incarceration and sentence duration. This information may be used to estimate the expected release date of inmates confirmed in state prisons in Arkansas. However, the inmate's sentence duration may change based on good behavior and participation in parole programs.
  • Location: The location information on inmate records specifies the current facility where the inmate is confined. The information includes the prison name, physical address, and mailing address of the detention facility.

Arkansas Inmate Records by Counties

In Arkansas, inmate records may be county-level records, also called jail records and state prison records. County-level and state prison records are kept and managed by different authorities. While state prison records are managed by the ADC, county-level inmate records are kept and managed by local county sheriff's offices. County-level inmate records are incarceration records for persons held in county jails. Each county in Arkansas is responsible for maintaining its records of inmates in its jurisdiction.

Inmate records from Arkansas counties include the inmate's name, mugshot, race, sex, arrest date, facility held, charges, race, and arresting agency. It also includes information on the inmate's ADC number, parole eligibility, release dates, and bail amount.

Most counties in Arkansas provide an online Inmate Search Tool to search for inmate records. For instance, Benton County provides a searchable tool, Inmates, where users may use the full name, race, sex, arrest dates, release date, or arrest date to look up inmate records. On the other hand, some counties, like Faulkner County, provide access to their Inmate Roster, an online database listing current inmates in the county.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Arkansas?

Generally, incarceration records are public information in Arkansas. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act permits public access to government records, including records held by the ADC and the county sheriff's offices across the state. Therefore, incarceration records are publicly accessible by anyone on request. Persons interested may inspect and copy Incarceration records. Incarceration records contain information on the inmate's identity, the ADC number, conviction details, facility location, demographics, and release or parole dates.

While most incarceration records are publicly accessible, the state restricts access to certain inmates' records. These exemptions and restrictions exist to protect sensitive information and the personal privacy of the record holder. In Arkansas, inmates' medical and mental health records, juvenile inmate records, and inmate records connected with ongoing investigations are excluded from the public. Also, certain confidential personal identifiers on inmate records are redacted to prevent harassment and identity theft. Consequently, inmates' Social Security numbers, home addresses, and victim and witness information are redacted from inmates' records.

Federal Prisons in Arkansas

At the federal level, the prison system is regulated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The BOP manages all facilities housing persons convicted for federal crimes such as drug trafficking, homicide, and financial fraud. The BOP is responsible for the custody and care of individuals convicted of federal crimes. It ensures the security and safety of inmates and correctional staff. Consequently, all BOP facilities fall under different security levels, including minimum, low, medium, and high. Minimum security-level federal facilities have campus-like settings with minimal supervision, while high-security facilities are maximum security facilities, typically housing dangerous offenders.

Federal Facility NameSecurity LevelCapacityLocation
Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Forrest CityLow-level security1600Forrest City
FCI Forrest City MediumMedium Level security1,650Forrest City
FCI Forrest City CampMinimum Security Level250Forrest City

Frequently Asked Questions about Inmate Records

Here are some important questions to consider when looking for information on inmates in Arkansas:

You may submit a request for public records to the Arkansas Department of Correction by email. Alternatively, you may contact the ADC by calling (870) 267-6999 to request the records.

Interested persons may look up an inmate's record for free online using the Inmate Search tool provided by the ADC. Record seekers may use the ADC number or first and last name to look up the record. You may also include the county, gender, facility, offense category, age, or race, if known, to help retrieve the accurate inmate records. Likewise, the county sheriff's department provides access to inmate records for free on their websites. Some counties offer searchable databases, while others provide an updated list of incarcerated individuals.

You can access old inmate records in Arkansas by contacting the ADC or the county sheriff's office where the person was detained. You can also find old inmate records at the Arkansas State Archives.

You can find records for inmates who died while in the state's correctional facilities using the ADC inmate portal. Also, you can contact the county sheriff's offices for information on persons who died while in custody.

Generally, inmate information is updated daily on the ADC inmates offenders tool and the county sheriff's offices across the state. Although there might be some instances where updating the records may pose a challenge where there are administrative delays.

Friends and family members may deposit money to an inmate's account through the mail, online deposit system using approved vendors, or by phone. Some county jails permit cash deposits at the kiosk located at the county jails.