Inmate Location and Information

  Related links
NYC311 Home Report Problems Look Up Service Requests Browse Topics

You can use the Inmate Lookup Service to get the following information about inmates in the Department of Correction (DOC) jail system:

  • Charges
  • Court date and location
  • Book and Case Number
  • Jail mailing address
  • New York State Identification Number (NYSID)
  • Holding location
  • Release date
  • Bail or bond amount

The Inmate Lookup Service may include information about the court where the trial will be held.

If it’s not listed, you can check the inmate’s Docket Number to find out which borough the court is in.

The Docket Number for a case includes a 2-letter code indicating the borough where the trial will be held:

  • NY: New York County (Manhattan) 
  • KN: Kings County (Brooklyn)
  • QN: Queens County
  • BX: Bronx County
  • RI: Richmond County (Staten Island)

The Inmate Lookup Service lists the charges against an inmate. In some cases, the charge is abbreviated.  

Below are explanations of some terms and abbreviations:

  • Offense: Conduct by an individual that violates state or local law, for which an individual can be sentenced to a term of imprisonment or to a fine. 
  • Violation: An offense other than a traffic infraction, for which an individual may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of fifteen days or less.
  • Misdemeanor: An offense other than a traffic infraction, for which an individual may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year or less.
  • Felony: An offense for which an individual may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
  • Crime: A misdemeanor or a felony.
  • POSS: An abbreviation for "possession of."
  • SUBST: An abbreviation for "substance."
  • AC UZ:  Charge information is not currently available in the database.
  • CCW:  Court Warrant.
  • OJCW:  Other Jurisdiction Warrant.
  • VTL 509:  Vehicle and Traffic Law 509 - Operating a motor vehicle without a license.
  • VTL 511: Vehicle and Traffic Law 511 - Driving with a suspended license.
  • VTL 1192: Vehicle and Traffic Law 1192 - Driving while intoxicated.

The Inmate Lookup Service lists when the inmate is scheduled to be released. 

If the scheduled release date falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the inmate will generally be released early that Friday morning, but it may vary on a case-by-case basis.

Inmates won’t be listed in the DOC Inmate Lookup Service if they are not in DOC’s custody or have been transferred to a State or Federal facility.

Inmates Arrested Within the Past 72 Hours

If it’s been fewer than 72 hours since the person has been arrested, he or she may still be in police custody.

For information about someone who was recently arrested, go to the Find an Arrested Person page.

Inmates Transferred to a State Facility

You can find out if an inmate is in a New York State facility by using the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Inmate Locator. You can also call DOCCS for further assistance.

  • Agency: New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
  • Phone Number: (518) 457-8126
  • Business Hours:

Inmates Transferred to a Federal Facility

You can find out if an inmate is in a Federal facility by using the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator. You can also call BOP for further assistance.

  • Agency: Federal Bureau of Prisons
  • Phone Number: (202) 307-3198
  • Business Hours:

Inmates in the Custody of the U.S. Marshals Service

You can find out if an inmate is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and get more information by phone.

  • Agency: United States Marshals Service
  • Phone Number: (212) 331-7200
  • Business Hours:

Inmates in the Custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

You can find out if an inmate is in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and get more information by phone. ICE is sometimes referred to as Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

  • Agency: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • Phone Number: (212) 264-4213
  • Business Hours:

  Was this information helpful?   Yes    No

Follow NYC311

Download the NYC311 Mobile App

About NYC311 Send Feedback NYC311 Privacy Policy