Find Wisconsin Inmate Records

An inmate is confined to an institution, in this case, for disciplinary purposes. The institutions generate and maintain reports of prisoners' admissions, progress, and release within their systems—these items make up inmate records. Inmate records are available at the state central incarceration centers and the local jail facilities in each county or city. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections generates and maintains records concerning inmates in state facilities. County law enforcement agencies oversee inmate information in their jail facilities. A critical difference between a jail and a prison facility is that prison facilities hold inmates for sentences of more than a year. In contrast, jails detain persons under trial or incarceration penalties for fewer than one year.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Wisconsin?

Incarceration records in Wisconsin are public; anyone interested in viewing them can visit any repository for information. There are no restrictions on who is eligible to view them in Wisconsin.

Public records in Wisconsin can sometimes be found through commercial search platforms and official government databases. Such websites are particularly convenient because they are not limited by geography, allowing requesters to review records from various locations. To complete a search, it is generally necessary to provide a person's name and a related location, such as the county or municipality of residence or arrest. Because these third-party providers operate independently of Wisconsin government agencies, they are not officially endorsed, and the detail or timeliness of results may differ from those kept by the primary custodians of records.

What Information is Contained in a Wisconsin Inmate Record?

How much information is available about a Wisconsin inmate depends on the operating guidelines of the confinement facility. Some request more information than others. However, the following information is present in an inmate record:

• Names of inmates
• Correction ID of the inmate
• Details of the offense they committed
• The sentence and other penalties
• Detailed information about previous convictions and incarceration
• The address of the incarceration facility
• Programs, educational attainments, and jobs.

When a prison-sentenced convict arrives at the center, they go to a holding center to see counselors and correction department staff who decide the class of security to adopt for the inmate. The period of stay varies but rarely exceeds eight weeks.

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Wisconsin?

Whether the facility is county-based or state-owned, parties must have the following information:

• Inmate full names
• Name of the county where the inmates receive the sentence
• Address of the incarceration facility where the inmate is currently serving time
• Inmate identification number

One way to look up an inmate in the state is to visit their incarceration facility in person. Some rules and regulations attend the decision to go in person. Contact the incarceration facility for the requirements or locate the instructions on the respective websites. Some general requirements include scheduling a visit only during visitation periods. Most of them require visitors to book an appointment before coming over. The Department of Corrections office is located at:

3099 East Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704

Another option is to look up an inmate by accessing the electronic registers that the facility makes available online. In Wisconsin, local county jails are under the supervision of a local law enforcement agency, usually a sheriff's department. Therefore, visiting the agency website will provide access to the inmates' register for that county. A limitation is that updates may not be as regular as a direct visit to the facility. State facilities have online registration available at the State Department of Corrections website. Another way to get information is to contact the relevant agency representative by phone, mail, or email.

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Wisconsin?

The following steps are necessary to conduct an inmate search in Wisconsin:

• Prepare the essential information needed to conduct a successful search. This includes the inmate's name, the facility's address, and the inmate's identification number. Identification numbers are crucial because inmates can share the same name, but identification numbers are unique.
• In-person visits: Contact the agency beforehand to prepare to visit the incarceration facility. Be sure to have all the requirements that the agency demands. Interested individuals can do this by calling, emailing, or looking up necessary information at the relevant website.
• Getting physical copies of records requires the submission of a written request. Incarceration records are free to access, but it is necessary to state clearly the purpose of the request. Also, individuals should note that there are terms and conditions under which the authorities will not release certain aspects of records. For local county jails, follow their websites' instructions to get physical record copies. To request it from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, download and complete the Public Records Request form. Submit it to the respective incarceration facility with the required fee or by email. Use the fee schedule to determine how much to pay for physical copies. Public record requests require an authorization form filled out and signed by the inmates. Submit it along with the request for public records. For more information, call (608) 240-5000.
• To search for an offender online, the following information is necessary:
  • First and last names, including aliases, if any;
  • Race, gender, year of birth, or age range;
  • City/village/town of the facility;
  • Zipcode range of the county;
  • Department of Correction Identification Number.

Parties should specify whether the individual is under active community supervision or incarceration. Go to the Department of Corrections website's Inmate and Offender search tab. After reading the terms and agreements, click 'I agree.' This will open the offender search page.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Wisconsin?

Electronic inmate records are accessible remotely on a computer device using an internet connection. Other than data charges that may apply, searches are free. Other options will require payment or the other, such as requesting physical records or paying for mail delivery to the incarceration facility.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Wisconsin

Information about released inmates is accessible upon an in-person visit to the facility. Victims of these offenders usually get a notification of an inmate's release as part of their right to know. A data summary of released inmates is available on the Department of Corrections website. However, to get an old inmate record, visit the incarceration facility of interest or email an inquiry to the Department of Corrections. The same rule applies to local jail facilities across the state.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WIDOC) operates an Offender Locator known as Vinelink, which allows the public to obtain information about inmates, including projected release dates, facility locations, and parole eligibility. Searches may be conducted using an inmate's name or Department of Corrections number. For additional requests, individuals may contact:

Wisconsin Department of Corrections – Records Office
3099 East Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7925
Madison, WI 53707-7925
Phone: (608) 240-5000

The database is accessible at no cost. However, certified or archived documents may involve processing fees in line with the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31 et seq.).

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin does not use the death penalty as capital punishment for first-degree felonies. However, should an inmate die in custody for other reasons, the family members or next of kin are notified of the development. The Office of Vital Statistics receives a notification and files a death certificate for the dead inmate. Such information is available upon an in-person visit or an email inquiry.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

The Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains a nationwide database of persons in federal prisons. Anyone can conduct a federal prison inmate search by visiting the agency website. Searches could be by name or number. An inquiry by the identification number yields a more accurate result since more than one inmate can bear the same name. Identification numbers vary depending on which criminal investigation agency allocated the ID:

• Bureau of Prisons
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• DC Department of Corrections
• Immigration and Naturalization Service

Data on the federal inmate locator website dates back to 1982 and includes persons released from prison since then.

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

The Department of Corrections in Wisconsin does not give a specific time frame for updating information about newly incarcerated individuals. However, it states that the database gets updated periodically. To put it differently, the current status and information regarding an offender may not readily reflect on an inmate/ offender locator search. The most reliable way to receive updates is to contact the Department of Corrections in person, by mail, or by email. Most county jails update the online register daily. However, contacting the local jail supervisor for real-time updates is still essential.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

Inmates in federal facilities, county jails, or other jurisdictions may not appear in the WIDOC system. Juvenile inmates are not included in public searches due to confidentiality rules. Delays in data updates, incorrect spellings, or protective custody classifications may also prevent records from being publicly displayed.