New Jersey Inmate Search
New Jersey's correctional system consists of jails and prisons managed by federal, state, private, and county authorities. Each correctional facility serves different functions. There are 2 federal correctional institutions housing persons convicted of federal crimes or awaiting federal trials. Similarly, New Jersey has about 9 state-run prisons and 19 county jails. There is also a private correctional facility that handles overflow from other jails.
In New Jersey, female and juvenile detention centers are distinct from general adult facilities. These facilities focus on the needs of women and minors in custody. Currently, the state operates 2 women's correctional facilities and 10 Residential Community Homes (RCH) aimed at rehabilitating juvenile delinquents.
State and county authorities run the prison system in New Jersey. Each facility serves specific purposes and populations within the criminal justice system. The correctional facilities in New Jersey are structured across multiple levels, each intended to house different categories of incarcerated individuals. New Jersey correctional facilities are structured as follows:
- State Prisons: Persons convicted of serious felony crimes, including drug-related offenses and violent crimes are housed in state prisons in New Jersey. Typically, persons incarcerated in state prisons have jail sentences exceeding one year.
- County Jails: County jails are operated by the county sheriff's offices and accommodate persons awaiting trial or with short sentences, usually less than one year.
- Juvenile Detention Center: Established and managed by the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC), the juvenile detention centers cater to minor offenders. The center focuses on rehabilitation and administering educational behavioral programs in place of punishment.
- Private Facilities: Managed by private organizations, private detention centers accommodate the overflows from state or county prisons.
- Federal Facilities: Federal facilities hold persons convicted of federal crimes in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) manages the prison system. The NJDOC oversees the admission of new inmates to correctional facilities across the state. It also provides rehabilitation and reentry services for inmates. Lastly, the NJDOC oversees parole operations, ensuring ex-convicts are reintegrated into society. The NJDOC is led by the Commissioner of Corrections. Each facility has wardens and administrators overseeing daily operations. The NJDOC manages 9 correctional facilities, 11 Residential Community Release Programs, and an Assessment Center.
New Jersey has an incarceration rate of 270 per 100,000 residents. On average, there are over 25,000 persons incarcerated in correctional facilities across the state, with over 12,000 persons locked up in state prisons, 8,000 plus in local county jails, and about 2,300 in federal prisons.
According to the New Jersey Department of Corrections, the state's correctional system includes 9 state prisons, 19 county jails, 2 federal prisons, 2 women's facilities, and 10 juvenile facilities. The system has a prison population of over 25,000 inmates (including 12,000+ state inmates, 8,000+ county inmates, and 2,300 federal inmates), with an incarceration rate of 270 per 100,000 residents.
New Jersey Department of Corrections Inmate Search
Appointed by the Governor of New Jersey, the Commissioner of Corrections manages all state-level prisons in New Jersey. The Commissioner of Correction under the NJDOC oversees the management, administration, and policy implementation of all state correctional facilities. The NJDOC is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of inmates and correctional staff by securing the facility, monitoring inmates' behavior, and enforcing discipline. The department offers rehabilitation services to inmates through educational programs and substance abuse counseling. In the same vein, the department organizes reentry programs and works with halfway houses to support inmate reintegration into society.
The NJDOC maintains a statewide electronic database, the Offender Search Web Page, having inmates' personal and legal information. The platform provides information on sentencing details, inmate's incarceration location, and inmate status. In addition, the database includes details on individuals released from state custody. This information helps crime victims and the public to stay informed on the status of previously incarcerated inmates.
Accessing inmate records via the platform requires users to have relevant information on the inmate they wish to locate. The platform permits record seekers to query the database using search criteria such as the SBI Number, first name, and last name. Searchers may refine the search to narrow down the results using the descriptive factors of the inmate. Also selecting the appropriate county and detention facility helps users obtain favorable results. Access to the record is by clicking the submit button at the bottom of the search page.
Find Inmate by Name
Users can access inmate records using the first and last names of incarcerated persons. Where only one name and an initial are known, users may still query the database with the name and initials. For instance, the first name is Matthew, and the last name is not known, but the initial is M. Inputting this information into the portal will return all names with last names beginning with M and the first name Matthew. Also, Where the short form of a name is used to facilitate the search, the result will return all names that match the letters used. Therefore, entering Rob as the first will return names like Robert and Roberto.
Likewise, a single name alias may be used to find an inmate by entering the alias into the first name or last name field and checking the "Search Aliases" box. For instance, an alias of Don is entered into the first name, and the search aliases box is checked, the result will return names such as Donald, Donahue, Donaldson, and Donegan.
Other information that may be used to refine the search includes:
- County
- Detention facility
- Birthdate or age
- Ethnicity
- Race
- Sex
- Hair and eye color
Find Inmate by Number
All inmates are assigned an SBI number -State Bureau of Identification Number. An SBI number is a unique identifier issued by the State Bureau of Identification used to identify individuals and persons incarcerated across prisons and jails in New Jersey. SBI numbers are alphanumeric, that is, they consist of numbers and alphabets. It is a ten-digit number, with the first nine as numbers while the 10th digit is an alphabet.
What Information is Contained in a New Jersey Inmate Record?
New Jersey inmate records contain information about persons incarcerated across county jails, state prisons, and federal detention centers. This information typically includes:
- Name: Inmate records contain the distinct identifier or legal name a person is known by. Typically, the record contains all the given names of the incarcerated individual including any aliases. Common names or abbreviated names will yield multiple results. Therefore, it is good practice to use the full name and include the middle name or middle initial to help reduce duplicates.
- Register No: Inmate records contain the unique identifier assigned to inmates during the booking process. Known as the SBI number in New Jersey. The registered number consisting of 9 numbers and a letter, is used to track their records throughout their stay at the detention facility.
- Age: Inmate records contain information on a person's age. The age is reported based on the date of birth recorded at incarceration. The age of the inmate records reflects their current age and not the age they were at the time of release.
- Race: Race distinctly classifies a person based on inherited physical properties. Inmate records contain the class category or group to which a convicted person belongs. Race listed on inmate records could be African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian, or White.
- Sex: Sex relates to the gender of incarcerated persons. Generally, most inmate records categorize gender into male or female.
- Release Date: The release date is the estimated date incarcerated persons leave the detention center. The release date may change based on behavior. Good behavior may shorten the release date while engaging in prohibited activities pushes the release date forward. Inmate records may also contain unknown release dates. This is true for inmates awaiting trials, eligible for parole, or inmates awaiting transfers.
- Location: Inmate records carry information on the precise location where incarcerated persons are accommodated. For persons in county jails and state or federal prisons, the location shows the name of the current detention facility. The location information may state CCM (Community Corrections Management), for persons or within a county or state prison, but under the supervision of the correctional facility. Likewise, the location status may reflect "Halfway House" for inmates in a transitional facility and In-Transit for persons moved from one detention center to another. An in-transit location is temporary.
New Jersey Inmate Records by Counties
Each county sheriff's department across New Jersey maintains its records of persons incarcerated in detention facilities within their jurisdiction. Likewise, inmate records are accessible through the county's Department of Corrections. Inmate records from county jails differ from inmate records from the state's prisons.
Inmate records are publicly accessible to anyone on request. Persons seeking inmate records may contact the county sheriff's offices or the county's Department of Corrections. While some counties such as Essex provide online access to inmate records through its Inmate Lookup tool other countries provide a list of all persons incarcerated in their facilities. Lastly, some counties may require searchers to submit written requests in person or by email, to request the documents.
Are Incarceration Records Public Information in New Jersey?
Yes, incarceration records are public information. The Open Public Records Act permits the inspection, copying, and examination of government records of government records, including incarceration records. Consequently, the inmate's full name, booking date, estimated release date, inmate DOC number, date of birth, photo, gender, race, county incarcerated, and detention facility are public information on inmate records. Likewise, incarceration history, current prison sentence, aliases, bond information, and charges information, including the offense date and charges description, are publicly accessible information on inmate records.
Nonetheless, the law restricts access to certain incarceration records or information on inmate records. It specifically exempts from public access incarceration records sealed by the courts or federal or state laws. Therefore, confidential information such as substance abuse treatment information and medical records are restricted from the public. Likewise, state law exempts public access to personal identifying information contained in inmate records. Consequently, Social Security numbers, home addresses, and financial accounting information are redacted from inmate records to prevent unwarranted harassment or harm to incarcerated persons.
Federal Prisons in New Jersey
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) manages all U.S. federal prisons, including the ones in New Jersey. The BOP is responsible for confining persons who have committed federal crimes or violated federal laws. Federal crimes and violations include fraud against the U.S. government, drug-related offenses such as drug trafficking, and manslaughter.
Federal prisons are categorized into 4 different security levels. These levels ensure offenders are confined at an appropriate security level. The categories are minimum, low, medium, and high. The categories reflect the level of security barriers, type of institution, and detection devices used. Other features include staff-to-inmate ratio, external patrols, and internal security features. Outlined below are the federal prisons in New Jersey and their level of security.
| Federal Correctional Institution | Security Level | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairton FCI | Medium security level | Fairtom | 800 |
| Fort Dix FCI | Low-security level | Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst | 3,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Inmate Records
Record seekers may mail written requests to the NJDOC at PO Box 863 Trenton, NJ 08625-0863, to access public records. Processing times vary based on the information requested. Record requests attract a fee.
You may utilize the Offender Search Engine to access inmate records online for free. This platform allows users to search for inmate records across the state using the first and last name or SBI number. Some counties like Essex provide a free online tool to look up inmate records, while others provide an electronic list of inmates.
To look up inmate records, you need the individual's name, SBI number, or identification number. The Offender Search Engine web tool provided by the NJDOC provides you with information on the inmate's status, location, and estimated date of release. You may access county inmate records from the sheriff's department website.
You may find old inmate records in New Jersey by submitting records requests to the NJDOC or the county sheriff's department. The state deletes inmate records from the online database a year after the inmate has completed their custodial term. In such cases contacting the relevant authority may be required.
You may request inmate death records from the NJDOC. Likewise, you may visit the county offices to find records for inmates who passed while in custody at the county jail.
The NJDOC updates inmates' information on the inmate locator every two weeks. The information may change quickly, especially for work releases, residential community programs, and furlough.
You may deposit the money into the inmate's account when visiting. You may use the kiosks located in the Administrative lobby. You may also mail money orders to New Jersey county jails. Lastly, you may send money to an inmate in New Jersey state prisons using third-party services.