Find Louisiana Inmate Records

Records of arrests, charges, sentencing, and other records generated about incarcerated persons, including fingerprints, photographs, and identification numbers, are inmate records. Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections generates and maintains inmate records. The department also makes inmate information available to the public, updating the public website daily with new information to ensure accuracy. Typically, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections maintains information about inmates in state incarceration facilities. Offenders sentenced by the criminal justice system to more than one year in prison are sent to state facilities. Offenders sentenced to no more than one-year imprisonment serve time in parish jails and other local correctional facilities.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Louisiana?

Incarceration records are public information in Louisiana. According to the state’s Public Records Law, members of the public may request access to any government agencies’ records to the extent permitted by law. Incarceration records are public records, and anyone may request access to the records to inspect or obtain copies.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

What Information is Contained in a Louisiana Inmate Record?

Inmate records contain personal identifying information and other information that pertain to the incarceration of a Louisiana inmate, such as sentencing information, the nature of the inmate’s offense, and the court or parish at which the court tried the inmate. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections assigns a unique number to each inmate on registration, and this number forms part of the inmate record. Information in a Louisiana inmate record includes:

• Inmate’s names and aliases
• Offense record
• Date of birth
• Age
• Gender
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Nationality
• Photograph
• State Identification number
• Social security number
• Department of Public Safety and Corrections number

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Louisiana?

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) makes inmate information available through the Imprisoned Persons Locator system; interested parties may call the system, which is available 24 hours a day, to lookup inmates. The Imprisoned Persons Locator contains information about inmates in state facilities and custody of the DPS&C, including persons under community supervision or probation. The DPS&C updates the Imprisoned Persons Locator system daily to ensure accuracy and up-to-date information.

Alternatively, interested parties may use the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS) to lookup an inmate. The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice. LAVNS provides information about inmates in local jurisdictions and does not contain information about inmates in state facilities. Interested parties may also contact local Sheriffs or law enforcement agencies for information about inmates in the parish and municipal correctional facilities. Interested parties may also lookup inmates through third-party websites.

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Louisiana?

Interested parties may conduct an inmate search using the Imprisoned Persons Locator system. Requesting parties may call the phone number 225–383–4580 to request inmate information. The DPS&C maintains the inmate locator system and updates the data every 24 hours. Requesting parties may call the Imprisoned Persons Locator any hour of the day; however, such parties must provide the inmate’s prison name, date of birth, DPS&C number, and possible release date. The Imprisoned Persons Locator contains information about persons incarcerated in DPS&C facilities, including persons on probation and community supervision.

Similarly, the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System (LAVNS) provides information about persons incarcerated in local correctional facilities. LAVNS is available 24 hours online or via phone at 866–528–6748. LAVNS does not contain information about persons incarcerated in DPS&C facilities. To request physical copies of local inmate records, interested parties may contact the Sheriff’s office in each parish. Some parishes maintain inmate information in online databases.

To request physical copies of DPS&C inmate records, interested parties may submit written public records requests to:

La. Department of Public Safety and Corrections
Attn: Deputy Secretary’s Office
P. O. Box 94304
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Requesting parties may also send written requests via email to docpublicrecords@la.gov. The DPS&C may charge fees to produce copies of inmate records.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Louisiana?

Interested persons may find inmates in Louisiana for free through independent third-party websites and government-partnered third-party websites. Louisiana partners with third-party service providers to make inmate information freely available online. Additionally, interested parties may visit each parish’s website to search inmates incarcerated in jail for free.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Louisiana

To find old inmate records in Louisiana, interested parties may search through the DPS&C’s Imprisoned Persons Locator System. Requesting parties may also search old inmate records through the Louisiana Automated Victims Notification System (LAVNS) and independent third-party websites. Government-partnered third-party websites also provide updated Louisiana inmate records. Additionally, requesting parties may submit written public records requests to the DPS&C or contact the Parish Sheriff in the county where the inmate was incarcerated.

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Louisiana?

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) makes all inmate information available through the Imprisoned Persons Locator System. The DPS&C updates the system every 24 hours to ensure accuracy; however, persons whose do not find inmate death records through the Imprisoned Persons Locator system may write to the DPS&C via email at docpublicrecords@la.gov or by mail to:

La. Department of Public Safety and Corrections
Attn: Deputy Secretary’s Office
P. O. Box 94304
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Persons interested in a federal prison inmate search must visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website. The website has an inmate locator tool which allows users to search federal inmates using:

• BOP register number
• FBI number
• DCDC number
• INS number
• Inmate name
• Race
• Age
• Gender

The BOP website is updated daily from the BOP’s inmate database.

How Long Does it Take For An Inmate’s Information to Be Published in Louisiana Inmate Locator?

The DPS&C publishes inmate information in the Imprisoned Persons Locator System as soon as the information is available. Processing times may vary from one facility to another. However, the Imprisoned Persons Locator is updated every 24 hours and is available for 24 hours every day.