Washington Inmate Search
Washington Inmate Search is a process or system allowing the public to search for information about incarcerated individuals in a Washington State Department of Corrections (WADOC) facility. The search may provide information such as the inmate's name, mugshot, DOC number, location, and release date.
The WADOC manages and operates all state-run correctional facilities in Washington. The department maintains an online database of all inmates currently incarcerated in these facilities, which is available to the public through the Washington Inmate Search system.
When conducting a state inmate search, it is essential to consider the limitations that may be present. One of the primary limitations is privacy restrictions. In Washington, certain information about inmates may be restricted due to privacy concerns. For example, the search results may not disclose an inmate's medical or mental health status.
Another limitation is the inadequate information that may the search results provide.
While the search results may provide basic information such as the inmate's name, inmate number, and current location, other details, such as the inmate's criminal history, may not be available. It can limit the usefulness of the search results, particularly for those looking for more detailed information about an inmate.
In addition, the information provided in a state inmate search database may not be current. An inmate's location or current status may have changed, but these changes may not be reflected in the search results.
Lastly, technical issues such as server downtime, system glitches, or slow internet speeds may also limit your access to the search database.
What Are Washington Inmate Records?
The Washington Inmate Records give a complete and extensive overview of a person's criminal history and current incarceration status in the state.
In addition to the WADOC, other agencies may maintain inmate records in Washington. For example, county jails may keep records for individuals in their facilities, and court records may contain information about an inmate's criminal history and sentencing. However, the WADOC is the primary agency maintaining Washington Inmate Records.
In Washington, inmate records are generally public. The state's public records laws, the Washington State Public Records Act (PRA) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), allow individuals to request access to records created or maintained by state and local government agencies, including the WADOC.
However, specific categories of records, such as medical or mental health records, may be exempt from disclosure to protect an individual's privacy or safety.
Requesting these records rather than running a Washington Inmate Search will give you more detailed information about the offender's criminal history. Most of the time, you can access and get copies of the following information or materials:
- Inmate's full name, date of birth, and physical description
- Inmate's personal information, such as the inmate's address, phone number, and emergency contacts
- Other identifying materials, such as mugshots, fingerprints, and DNA samples
- Details of the inmate's crime(s) and conviction(s)
- Sentencing information, such as the length of the sentence and the date of sentencing
- Information on the inmate's incarceration, including their facility and housing unit
- Release information, such as the projected release date, actual release date, and any conditions of parole or probation
- Disciplinary actions against the inmate during their incarceration
- Arrest information, such as the date and location of the arrest and the agency that made the arrest
What Are Washington Prison and Jail Records?
Washington State has several correctional facilities, including state prisons and county jails. Both serve the purpose of confining individuals found guilty of a crime.
Generally, state prisons incarcerate individuals convicted of more serious offenses, such as violent crimes, drug trafficking, or other felonies that carry longer sentences. On the other hand, county jails hold individuals accused or convicted of less serious crimes, such as misdemeanors or non-violent offenses.
In addition, county jails are typically for short-term confinement, usually for those awaiting trial or sentencing. The maximum sentence for a county jail is generally less than a year. Conversely, state prisons are for long-term confinement, with penalties ranging from a year to life imprisonment.
Lastly, state prisons tend to have a more stable and long-term inmate population. In contrast, county jails have a more transient population as inmates move in and out of the facility.
Here are some statistical data obtained from Washington Prison and Jail Records:
- Washington releases around 8,700 individuals yearly, although people are imprisoned 1.0 times more in Washington.
- The inmate population in Washington grew by 7% from 2007 to 2016.
- In Washington, 91% of convicts are male, while 9% are female.
- Between 1979-1980 and 2012-2013, state and local government correctional spending in Washington grew by 283%, from $392.4M to $1.5B.
What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in Washington?
In Washington, there are numerous prisons and jails, and each fulfills the requirements of convicts and handles specific areas of the criminal justice system.
Each facility serves a distinct function and is subject to its own set of laws and regulations. Knowing the various types of prisons and jails in Washington is necessary when doing a Washington Inmate Search.
Here's an overview of all the different kinds of prisons and jails in Washington:
Washington State Prisons
Washington state prisons are correctional facilities operated by the WADOC. The WADOC supervises and manages adult offenders sentenced to incarceration for a criminal conviction in Washington.
The department has various prison facilities, ranging from maximum to minimum security work-release centers.
Washington state prisons aim to prevent recidivism and encourage successful reintegration by providing offenders with a safe and secure environment, programs, and services to address the issues contributing to their criminal conduct.
There are 12 state prisons in Washington as of 2023, ten for men and two for women. The following are the state prisons in Washington:
- Washington Corrections Center
- Washington Corrections Center for Women
- Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women
- Washington State Penitentiary
- Cedar Creek Corrections Center
- Airway Heights Corrections Center
- Clallam Bay Corrections Center
- Larch Corrections Center
- Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
- Olympic Corrections Center
- Monroe Correctional Complex
- Stafford Creek Corrections Center
Washington Federal Prisons
Washington Federal Prisons are correctional facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) in the state. The FBOP is a division of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for the custody and care of federal inmates.
FBOP incarcerates federal inmates for various offenses, including drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, weapons offenses, and immigration violations.
As of 2023, there are two federal prisons in Washington:
Both facilities provide a range of programs and services to inmates, including education and vocational training, drug and alcohol treatment, and mental health services. They also offer visiting hours for family and friends of inmates, as well as other types of support services to assist with reentry into society upon release.
Washington County Jails
Washington county jails house individuals arrested and awaiting trial or sentencing, those convicted of misdemeanors, and those sentenced to serve time in jail. The local county governments manage county jails in Washington. Each county has its own Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for law enforcement and the operation of the county jail or jails.
In addition to providing incarceration for those charged or convicted of crimes, county jails in Washington may also offer various programs and services for rehabilitation and reentry, such as education and job training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling. However, the availability and quality of these programs can vary widely from county to county.
There are 39 counties in Washington, each with at least one county jail. Thus, there are at least 39 in Washington county jails.
However, some counties may have more than one jail, and some may contract with neighboring counties or private companies to house inmates. Therefore, the exact number of county jails in Washington may vary.
You can contact the appropriate Sheriff's Office or visit its website to get the official list of jails they manage in the county.
To find the website for a specific county's Sheriff's Office, you can search online using the name of the county and "Sheriff's Office." For example, if you are looking for the website for the King County Sheriff's Office, you can search for the "King County Sheriff's Office website."
Washington Juvenile Detention Facilities
Washington juvenile detention facilities hold adolescents suspected or convicted of crimes before and during judicial procedures.
The Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) manages these institutions and provides child offenders with safe care and rehabilitative programs.
As of 2023, there are 11 residential and community juvenile detention facilities in Washington, and these are the following:
- Green Hill School
- Echo Glen Children's Center
- Naselle Youth Camp
- Canyon View Community Facility
- Oakridge Community Facility
- Parke Creek Community Facility
- Touchstone Community Facility
- Sunrise Community Facility
- Ridgeview Community Facility
- Woodinville Community Facility
- Twin Rivers Community Facility
How To Perform Inmate Search in Washington?
Performing a Washington Inmate Search is a relatively straightforward process.
The WADOC offers an Inmate Search tool to assist the public in locating persons detained in its facilities. To search for an inmate using this tool, enter their DOC number or name. Each Washington offender in state prisons is issued a six-digit DOC number as a means of identification.
You can visit the Sheriff's Office website for an inmate in a county jail in Washington. Most county jail websites have inmate locators where you can search for an inmate using their name, number, or date of birth.
Furthermore, some Sheriff's Offices provide frequently updated inmate rosters or jail registries. These lists include the names and personal information, such as age, gender, and inmate number, of all inmates presently in detention.
If you are searching for an inmate in a Washington federal prison, the process is slightly different than searching for an inmate in a state or county facility. You can use the FBOP inmate locator tool or visit the facility website to get information for inmates in Washington federal prisons.
Searching for an inmate in a Washington juvenile detention facility is more challenging than searching for an inmate in an adult facility. Washington laws prohibit releasing specific information about young inmates, such as their criminal history and court proceedings. This information is confidential and is only available to the inmate's parents or legal guardians.
If authorized, you can visit the website of the JRA or the responsible facility to get juvenile inmate information.
If you cannot find the information you need through online methods, you can contact or visit the responsible agency or the correctional facility directly.
How To Contact an Inmate in Washington?
In Washington, there are several ways to contact an inmate. The most common method is through the mail. To send a letter, you must include the inmate's name, DOC number, and the name and address of the facility.
There may be restrictions on the kind of items that you can send over the mail, such as drugs, weapons, or pornography-related materials.
Another option is through phone calls. Inmates are allowed to make collect calls to approved numbers. To add your phone number to an inmate's approved list, the inmate must provide your name and phone number to the facility staff.
Global Tel*Link (GTL) is the phone service provider for the WADOC. A pre-paid account with GTL will give a little per-minute discount over collect calls. You may create a GTL OffenderConnect account online by visiting its website or calling 1-800-483-8314 or 1-877-650-4249.
All calls are monitored and recorded for 20 minutes to allow all offenders to use the phones. Three-way calling, call forwarding, and call waiting are forbidden and may result in the termination of the call.
Lastly, via JPay's email service, you may send electronic letters to inmates in WADOC facilities. Emails are subject to the same screening and delivery regulations as conventional mail and are sent to inmates according to a facility-determined schedule.
The methods mentioned above only pertain to WADOC facilities. For information on contacting an inmate in federal prisons, county jails, and juvenile detention facilities, contact the in-charged agency or the facility directly or visit their websites.
How To Visit an Inmate in Washington?
The WADOC establishes visiting procedures and regulations for Washington state-run prisons. To visit an inmate in a state prison, you must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Thus, all prospective visitors, whether adults or minors, must first accomplish and submit a visitor application.
When an adult applies on behalf of a minor, they must also fill out and attach copies of the DOC Guardian Consent Form.
This electronic application takes about a month, but more time may be required in certain instances. Such instances are when several applications for a single visitor result in a delay in processing. You will receive a written notification once your application is approved or denied.
You can only be on the Approved Visitor List of one inmate unless you are a close relative of more than one inmate.
Generally, you must provide a valid government-issued photo ID and dress appropriately during your visits. Furthermore, you cannot bring certain items into the facility during your visit, such as weapons, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Some facilities may prohibit cell phones and cameras.
You can find the specific facility visiting restrictions on the prison visits page of the WADOC's website.
In addition to in-person, the WADOC allows authorized visitors to remotely arrange video visits, following its video-visit policy. If you are on an inmate's approved visiting list, you can organize a 30-minute video visit for a fee using a JPay or Securus account.
The rules for visiting inmates in other correctional facilities in Washington differ. Contact the facility or the agency in charge, or visit their respective websites for information on their visitation procedures and policies.
How To Send Money to an Inmate in Washington?
The WADOC offers three ways for inmates in Washington state prisons to fund their accounts. Here's how you can send money to an inmate in Washington:
JPay
Using the JPay Send Money service, you can immediately deposit funds into an inmate's trust account in a Washington state prison.
Western Union
Aside from JPay, you can send money to inmates in Washington using Western Union. Just choose "Washington Dept of Corrections" from the list of correctional institutions and select your preferred method (in person, by phone, online, or through the mobile app).
In using Western Union, you must provide an account number (Inmate's DOC number + Last Name), state code (WA), and city code (WA DOC) to transfer money to an inmate successfully.
Cashier's Check or Money Order
In addition to JPay and Western Union, state prisons in Washington accept cashier's checks and money orders addressed to the facility's address. You may deposit the check or money order into any inmate's four sub-accounts: postage, spendable, education, or medical.
In the payee line of a cashier's check or money order, provide the inmate's complete name, DOC number, and sub-account you want to fund. Moreover, ensure to write the inmate's facility address and a return address on the backside of the envelope used to deliver the money.
If you want to send money to inmates in Washington county jails, federal prisons, and juvenile detention facilities, you may do so in several ways.
Most facilities under these correctional facility types have kiosks in lobbies that take deposits in cash. Moreover, some facilities accept checks and money orders addressed to the facility. Online and over-the-phone credit or debit card deposits are other options for sending money to these facilities' inmates.
For more information about sending money to inmates in different correctional facility types, contact the facility or the agency in charge, or visit their respective websites.