New Jersey Inmate Search
New Jersey Inmate Search is a service provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) that allows the public to search for information on incarcerated individuals in an NJDOC-administered correctional facility.
The NJDOC is responsible for managing most state's correctional facilities and providing access to information about inmates through its online inmate search tool.
This service promotes transparency and public safety by providing easy access to information about individuals convicted of crimes in New Jersey.
It provides information such as the inmate's name, SBI (State Bureau of Identification) number, birth date, mugshot, physical description, current location, sentence length, release date, and offenses for which they were convicted.
However, there are limitations to remember when using this tool. The information provided through the system may not be complete or up-to-date, and some information about inmates may have restrictions due to privacy or security concerns.
There is also a possibility of errors in the data provided, and the status of an inmate can change frequently.
Additionally, there may be legal restrictions on using the information obtained through the tool.
Therefore, the information obtained through the inmate search tool should only be used as a starting point for further research or inquiries.
What Are New Jersey Inmate Records?
New Jersey Inmate Records are the materials and files that track an offender's progression through the state's criminal justice system.
These records have comprehensive information about an offender that the New Jersey law enforcement agencies, including local police officers, sheriff's deputies, federal agents, and correctional officials, create.
The NJDOC gathers and maintains these records in a massive online database, allowing anybody to look for an inmate anytime.
If you want complete criminal information, a New Jersey Inmate Record is better than an online inmate search.
When you request these records, you can expect any of the following information or materials:
- The inmate's full name, date of birth, race, gender, and other identifying information
- The inmate's charges, conviction status, sentence length, and release date
- The inmate's institution, date of imprisonment, and SBI or inmate number
- The date and conditions of the inmate's release and the parole officer assigned to their case
- Arrest and conviction information
- Arrest warrants
- Citations
- The disciplinary actions against the inmate while incarcerated
- Educational and vocational programs the inmate participated in while incarcerated
- Crime details
- Court dates
- Mugshot
- Fingerprints
- DNA samples
- Evidence such as audio and video recordings
- Police reports
- Trial records
- Visitation and contact information for the inmate's approved visitors
The New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) is the primary law that governs public access to government records in the state. OPRA allows the public to access government records, including inmate records.
However, there are some limitations on releasing certain types of information, such as confidential medical records or information that could jeopardize the safety or security of the facility. Additionally, certain information may be redacted or withheld if it would compromise ongoing investigations or law enforcement activities.
What Are New Jersey Prison and Jail Records?
The New Jersey correctional system promotes rehabilitation and reduces recidivism by providing inmates with the resources and support they need to reenter society successfully.
The correctional system of New Jersey primarily consists of state prisons and county jails.
The state of New Jersey owns and operates state prisons, while local county governments own and manage county jails. The NJDOC oversees the state prisons, while county sheriffs are responsible for the county jails.
State prisons generally house inmates sentenced to longer-term sentences for more serious offenses. In contrast, county jails primarily house pretrial detainees, individuals awaiting trial or sentencing, and those serving sentences of less than one year.
New Jersey state prisons can house inmates at all security levels, from minimum to maximum security. Conversely, county jails usually have lower security levels and may not house maximum-security inmates.
People are incarcerated in New Jersey for various offenses. But the most common crimes that lead to incarceration in New Jersey include drug, violent, property, and sex offenses.
Here are some statistical data in New Jersey Prison and Jail Records:
- New Jersey releases around 10,000 inmates annually, yet 1.0 times more are imprisoned.
- New Jersey has 96% male and 4% female inmates.
- From 1979–1980 to 2012–2013, New Jersey state and municipal correctional spending climbed 282% from $539M to $2B.
- New Jersey's incarceration rate dropped 26% between 2007 and 2016.
What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in New Jersey?
A thorough understanding of the state's criminal system is necessary for an effective New Jersey Inmate Search. Here's what you should know regarding all types of New Jersey correctional facilities:
New Jersey State Prisons
New Jersey state prisons are correctional facilities operated by the NJDOC. These facilities house individuals convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in prison.
As of 2022, the New Jersey state prison system has nine facilities, each with different security levels and housing units to accommodate inmates with various needs.
Here are the nine state prisons in New Jersey:
- Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center
- Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women
- East Jersey State Prison
- Garden State Youth Correction
- Bayside State Prison
- Northern State Prison
- Mid-State Correctional Facility
- South Woods State Prison
- New Jersey State Prison
You can contact and locate each facility using this tool.
New Jersey Residential Community Release Program (RCRP) Facilities
The Residential Community Release Program (RCRP) program, or the "halfway houses" in New Jersey, allows eligible inmates to serve the final months of their sentence in a residential facility rather than in prison.
These facilities have trained professionals who provide counseling, job training, substance abuse treatment, and other services to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society.
RCRP facilities are residential facilities contracted by the NJDOC to provide housing and services for eligible inmates. As of 2022, there are 13 RCRP facilities in New Jersey, and these are the following:
- CURA, Inc. (Essex County)
- Kintock Newark (Essex County)
- James A. Hemm House (Essex County)
- Tully House (Essex County)
- Fletcher House (Camden County)
- Hope Hall (Camden County)
- Garrett House (Camden County)
- Kintock Bridgeton I (Cumberland County)
- Kintock Bridgeton II (Cumberland County)
- Fenwick House (Passaic County)
- Clinton House (Mercer County)
- The Harbor Assessment and Treatment Center
- Kintock Bridgeton Legacy Program
You can employ the same tool used in state prisons to contact and locate each RCRP facility in New Jersey.
New Jersey Federal Prisons
As of 2023, New Jersey is home to the following federal prisons:
The primary objective of federal prisons in New Jersey is to house and manage individuals convicted of federal crimes serving sentences of varying lengths. These prisons are responsible for providing inmates with a safe, secure, and humane environment while also working to rehabilitate them and prepare them for successful reentry into society.
In addition to these responsibilities, New Jersey federal prisons must adhere to strict guidelines and regulations set forth by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates and staff members.
New Jersey County Jails
New Jersey county jails are facilities operated by county governments in New Jersey that hold individuals awaiting trial or sentenced to serve a sentence of a year or less. The county sheriff's office manages these jails.
The facilities also house individuals awaiting transfer to state prison, individuals held on immigration charges, and individuals arrested for violating probation or parole. The jails provide basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical care to their inmates while ensuring public safety by keeping these individuals in custody.
As of 2023, there are 21 county jails in New Jersey, one for each county. You can contact and locate each through the New Jersey County Jails and Wardens List created by New Jersey County Jail Wardens Association.
New Jersey Juvenile Detention Centers
New Jersey juvenile detention centers are secure facilities that house minors accused or convicted of committing delinquent acts. These facilities provide young offenders with a safe and secure environment while they await trial, sentencing, or transfer to another facility.
There are several juvenile detention centers in New Jersey, operated by the state's Juvenile Justice Commission and the Department of Children and Families. These facilities offer various services, including education, counseling, and medical care. Some of the juvenile detention centers in New Jersey are the following:
- Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility
- Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility
- Garden State Youth Correction
How To Perform Inmate Search in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Inmate Search tool offered by the NJDOC is called "Offender Search Engine."
Once you accept the terms, you will see an extensive form with all search parameters, including the inmate's name, SBI number, birth date, age, gender, race, eye and hair color, county, and current facility location. You can insert as much information as you like.
The New Jersey Offender Search Engine search returns results for presently imprisoned and recently released convicts. In addition, New Jersey law requires the NJDOC to keep parolees' records for one year beyond the end of their parole monitoring periods. Thus, you can also locate parolee records using this search tool.
Note that the tool is exclusive to inmates currently incarcerated in state prisons and RCRP facilities of the NJDOC.
If you cannot find the inmate you are looking for or have any questions about the search process, you can contact the NJDOC at 609-292-4036.
To locate an inmate in a New Jersey county jail, contact the sheriff's office that oversees the detainee. Some New Jersey sheriff's office websites provide inmate search tools to increase public safety and welfare, while others publish listings of current jail residents.
For federal prison inmates, the FBOP has a page for each institution on its website and an inmate locator that you can use to locate someone in their prisons.
If you are looking for a specific juvenile inmate in New Jersey, contact the in-charged agency or the facility.
Remember that information on juvenile inmates in New Jersey is generally confidential. The responsible agency or facility may not provide all the needed information, mainly if you are not the inmate's parent, guardian, or legal representative.
How To Contact an Inmate in New Jersey?
You can contact an inmate in New Jersey state prisons or RCRP facilities primarily through mail and phone calls.
You can send letters to an inmate at their facility's address. Ensure to include the inmate's full name, SBI number, and the name and address of the prison. Prison staff will open and inspect all mail, so avoid sending anything prohibited.
Typically, there is no restriction on the number of persons who may communicate with an inmate nor the quantity of communication an inmate can send or receive.
To send mail to an inmate in a New Jersey state prison or RCRP facility, you should address the envelope in the following format:
Inmate Name, SBI Number
Facility Name
PO Box or Street address
City, State, Zip Code
Another option to contact an inmate in NJDOC correctional facilities is phone calls. Inmates may be able to make outgoing calls to approved phone numbers. You must add your phone number to the inmate's approved calling list and set up an account with a third-party service, such as GTL (Global Tel*Link).
GTL, also known OffenderConnect, provides the NJDOC with inmate phone services. You can create your account over the phone by dialing 1-800-483-8314 or visiting their website.
GTL will charge a fee for each call you make and a rate per minute. If you set up your inmate phone account with a local number, you may be able to cut your phone bill.
All calls are susceptible to recording or monitoring, except calls to the legal department, the AIDS helpline, and the Ombudsman.
For an inmate in a county jail, federal prison, or juvenile detention center, it is best to visit the facility website or the responsible agency to get appropriate communication regulations and procedures.
How To Visit an Inmate in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, there are two kinds of visits in NJDOC correctional facilities: window and contact visits. Not every inmate can have one or both of these visits.
Read this visitation handbook before visiting a New Jersey state prison or RCRP facility to see an inmate.
In addition, use the New Jersey Inmate Search tool's offender visit restriction list to see if an inmate can receive visitors. Here, you will discover convicts permitted just window visits and those without visitation privileges.
The NJDOC lets each facility set visitation rules, But generally, visitation rules in NJDOC correctional facilities are strict and enforced for the safety and security of inmates, visitors, and staff.
All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list and present a valid photo ID at the time of their visit. You can only visit an inmate in New Jersey for a specified number of hours.
If caught with drugs or weapons, visitors may be refused entry. Furthermore, you must dress appropriately and follow all facility rules and regulations.
Failure to comply with visitation rules may result in denial of future visits.
Note that each New Jersey county jail, federal prison, and juvenile detention center has different rules about who can visit inmates. You can find this information on the facility or in-charged agency website.
How To Send Money to an Inmate in New Jersey?
The NJDOC no longer accepts money orders on behalf of inmates. Instead, they contracted JPay for inmate funds transactions. Anyone wishing to deposit funds into an inmate's account must use this payment processor.
Here's how you can send money to an inmate in New Jersey correctional facilities administered by the NJDOC:
Mail Deposit Through Money Order
Send a money order and a deposit form to the JPay postal address (written in the form) when giving money to an inmate in an NJDOC facility.
JPay does not charge a fee for the processing of money order transfers.
Walk-in Cash Deposit
In MoneyGram locations approved by JPay, you can deposit cash to send money to an inmate in New Jersey. These establishments include CVS and Walmart. Provide the receiving code, 1233, while completing the required form.
Phone Deposit With a Credit or Debit Card
To transfer money by phone, dial (800) 574-5729 to reach a live representative. This toll-free number for JPay is accessible at all times.
Online Deposit With a Credit or Debit Card
Credit or debit card transfers are also available through the JPay website. This method is the most practical for sending money to a New Jersey inmate.
Funds Transfer With JPay Mobile App
Lastly, you can transfer money to incarcerated individuals in New Jersey through JPay mobile app, available for Android and IOS devices.
Sending money to an inmate in any NJDOC facility is impossible without the information obtained in the New Jersey Inmate Search tool "Offender Search Engine." This information may include the inmate's name and SBI number.
Sending money to inmates in county jails, federal prisons, and juvenile detention centers in New Jersey is governed by different regulations. Check the facility website for information about financing commissary accounts.
These facilities often provide a variety of payment choices and may employ services other than JPay. Most of the time, they can accept money orders delivered by mail and offer kiosks in their lobbies for on-site deposits. With third-party payment processors, they can also provide online and phone deposit methods.