Find Missouri Inmate Records

Inmate records are official documents that authorized criminal justice agencies create and maintain during and after an offender's custody. The Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) database is the first port of call for persons seeking to find records on inmates incarcerated in any correctional facility in Missouri. In addition to inmate records, interested persons may request relevant court records from the Missouri judiciary.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Missouri?

Yes. Per the Missouri Sunshine Laws, non-sensitive records on inmates must be made available to public requesters.

Public records may sometimes be searched on independent websites operated by private companies. These third-party platforms often highlight their ability to simplify access by removing jurisdictional boundaries, enabling wider searches across counties and states. To initiate a search, an individual must usually provide identifying details, such as the name of the subject and the location associated with the record, with juvenile records excluded. Since these databases are not affiliated with or verified by government agencies, record coverage is inconsistent and may differ from official public sources.

What Information is Contained in a Missouri Inmate Record?

Missouri inmate records typically contain information that provides an overview of an offender's incarceration status as well as personal information:

• Inmate's legal name
• Aliases (if applicable)
• Date of birth
• Race
• Gender
• Mugshot
• Physical description (height, weight, hair, & eyes)
• Unique DOC number
• Date of Incarceration
• Offense history
• Facility of incarceration
• The contact information of the facility

Where Do I Look Up an Inmate in Missouri?

The methods available to individuals looking for incarcerated persons in Missouri primarily depend on the facility. However, the options typically include:

• In-person visits
• Phone calls
• Online search

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Missouri?

• In-person visits & phone calls:

This method primarily depends on knowing the incarceration facility, i.e., local jail or state prison. To find the address of a regional county or city jail, visit the Sheriff Department's official website. A general web search with the name of the county + jail will help find this information. Searchers interested in state prisons need not perform this search. The Missouri Department of Corrections maintains a list of the state's contact information for correctional facilities.

• Online search:

Alternatively, an online search is a faster way to find a person locked behind bars. For inmates of state prisons, the searcher may query the Department of Corrections' central repository of information on inmates. The agency operates Offender Web Search, a helpful tool for finding any inmate within the state. To use Offender Search, the searcher must know the necessary search details, such as the offender's full name or Missouri DOC number. Of course, the probability of having inmates bearing the same name is very high. Thus, the searcher may use the date of birth, approximate age, and gender to narrow down the results. Every search result will display the most recent mugshot, personal information, and offense history of the incarcerated offender.

Finding an inmate in a county or city jail is no different: the requester must know the necessary details. However, unlike Offender Search, a central repository, local law enforcement maintains databases specific to that jurisdiction. These local databases are also known as inmate rosters, and the Sheriff's Office is in charge of updating information on these rosters. Thus, to find information on an inmate in any county, visit the official website of the County Sheriff. For example, the Laclede County Sheriff's Office maintains an inmate roster, and the Boone County Sheriff's Office maintains an online list of detainees.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Missouri?

Generally, a person interested in finding inmate records must cover the cost of searching and reproducing such records. However, requesters may appeal to the record custodian for a fee waiver. If granted, the requester may find inmate records free of charge.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Missouri

Old inmate records from 1836 to 1931 are available on the Missouri State Archives for penitentiary records. For records outside this period, submit a research request to archref@sos.mo.gov. The requester must include the inmate's name, approximate date of incarceration, and identifying information, such as a year of birth, county of crime, or parents' names. Note that mugshots for incarcerated offenders before 1928 are unavailable, as the state only initiated the practice after 1928.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Missouri

The Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC) provides an Offender Search Tool for locating inmates and reviewing their projected release dates. Searches may be performed using name, inmate ID, or other identifying information. The database provides facility location, offense information, parole eligibility, and estimated release dates.

Inquiries outside of the online system can be directed to the Missouri Department of Corrections, 2729 Plaza Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109, or by calling (573) 751-2389. Release information may be subject to change due to parole board rulings, earned credits, or court actions. Records of juvenile offenders are maintained separately and are unavailable to the public.

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Missouri?

Inmate death records are not public records in Missouri until fifty years after the event has elapsed. Thus, only eligible persons, i.e., immediate family members, have immediate access to these records. Other persons must petition a court for an order granting access to that record. The Missouri Department of Health is the official custodian of death records and other vital records. Death records that are considered public are accessible on the Missouri State Archives.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Federal prisons house offenders convicted of violating federal laws in Missouri and persons who committed crimes while in the District of Columbia. The federal prison in Missouri is the U.S. Medical Center Federal Prison in Springfield. The prison doubles as a medical center for incarcerated offenders and is under the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) administration. To find an inmate at the prison, use the BOP Inmate Locator. BOP allows searchers to find information on inmates incarcerated as far back as 1982. The searcher may use the offender's unique BOP number or full name to achieve this.

Furthermore, providing additional information such as race, age, and sex helps narrow down the search from thousands of results. It is worth noting that records on inmates incarcerated before 1982 are only available on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website. The searcher will have access to an inmate information database from 1870 to 1981.

How Long Does it Take For An Inmate's Information to Be Published in the Missouri Inmate Locator?

It varies. Most local jails update the inmate roster or list of detainees at midnight after jail administrative staff book/process the inmate. Thus, a searcher may have to wait for the information on the website to reflect this status. The same applies to the Missouri Inmate Locator for state prison inmates.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

If an inmate cannot be located in the MODOC system, they may be confined in a county jail, juvenile facility, or federal prison. Processing delays may prevent newly admitted, transferred, or released inmates from appearing promptly. Sealed cases or court-ordered restrictions may also prevent public access. Direct contact with the relevant county facility or MODOC is recommended for confirmation.