Search the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) inmate database for current and former state prison inmates. Find unit assignments, projected release dates, and contact information free.
ⓘ Calls may be answered by a licensed bail bond agent.The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains a free public inmate search system for all individuals currently or previously incarcerated in a Texas state facility. Here is exactly how to use it.
Texas operates over 100 state correctional facilities housing more than 120,000 inmates. The Offender Search covers all facilities in the TDCJ system.
Search the TDCJ Offender Search by first and last name, TDCJ number, or SID number. Filter by date of birth for common names.
TDCJ search results include the projected release date, parole eligibility date, and mandatory supervision date for each inmate.
Call TDCJ's Offender Information line at 1-800-535-0283 for assistance locating a specific inmate or unit assignment.
This is the most common confusion families face. Knowing which system holds your loved one determines which search to use.
Who is held here: People who are awaiting trial, serving sentences of one year or less (misdemeanors), or awaiting TDCJ transfer after sentencing.
How to search: Use our Texas County Jail Search page to find the correct county jail roster.
When to check here first: If the arrest was recent (within the past 30 to 90 days), the person is almost certainly still in the county jail system.
Who is held here: People convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to more than one year in state prison.
How to search: TDCJ Offender Search at offender.tdcj.texas.gov. Also searchable by phone: 1-800-535-0283.
When to check here: If more than 90 days have passed since sentencing or the person is not found in the county jail system.
If you cannot find someone in the county jail or TDCJ, also check the Federal Bureau of Prisons at bop.gov/inmateloc (for federal charges) and the ICE Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov (for immigration holds). Call our free line at (346) 352-1115 and we will search all four systems simultaneously.
Texas operates correctional facilities across the state. Below are some of the major TDCJ units by region to help you identify where a transferred inmate may be housed.
For the complete list of all TDCJ units and their contact information, visit TDCJ Unit Directory at tdcj.texas.gov.
TDCJ uses Securus Technologies. Create a TexasPayPhone account at securustechnologies.com to receive calls. Some units use GTL/ViaPath verify with the specific unit.
Deposit via JPay at jpay.com or by calling 1-800-574-5729. Include the TDCJ number. Funds are typically available within 24 to 48 hours for commissary use.
Register through the TDCJ Visitor Registration system at tdcj.texas.gov. All visitors must be on the approved list. Hours vary by unit contact the unit directly.
Send first-class mail to the inmate's full legal name and TDCJ number at the unit mailing address. No packages, no staples, no glitter. Check unit-specific restrictions.
The TDCJ Offender Search is the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's free online system for locating individuals who are currently incarcerated in a TDCJ state prison or who have previously served time in a Texas state facility. It is available at tdcj.texas.gov and can be searched by name, TDCJ number, or SID number.
Visit tdcj.texas.gov and click on the Offender Search link. You can search by the offender's first and last name. If the person has a common name, filtering by date of birth or TDCJ number (if known) will narrow results. The search returns current custody status, unit assignment, projected release date, and offense information.
A TDCJ unit is a state prison facility holding people convicted of felonies with sentences longer than one year. A county jail holds people who are pre-trial, serving misdemeanor sentences, or awaiting TDCJ transfer. If you cannot find someone in their county jail, they may have already been transferred to a TDCJ unit.
Search the TDCJ Offender Search at tdcj.texas.gov using the person's full legal name. The search result will display the unit name and location. You can also call TDCJ's Offender Information line at 1-800-535-0283. Alternatively, call our free line at (346) 352-1115 and we will search on your behalf.
Funds for TDCJ inmates are deposited through JPay. You can make deposits at jpay.com, through the JPay app, by phone at 1-800-574-5729, or at a JPay kiosk location. Include the inmate's TDCJ number. Funds are typically available within 24 to 48 hours.
TDCJ visitation requires pre-registration on the TDCJ Visitor Registration system at tdcj.texas.gov. Visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Visitation hours vary by unit. Contact the specific unit directly for current visitation schedules and COVID or policy-related changes.
After sentencing, TDCJ transfer from county jail typically takes 30 to 90 days but can take longer depending on TDCJ intake facility capacity and the county's transfer schedule. During this time, the person remains in county jail and can be found on the county roster.
TDCJ inmates can make outbound calls through Securus Technologies. Create a TexasPayPhone account at securustechnologies.com to receive calls. You cannot call an inmate directly. GTL/ViaPath handles calls at some TDCJ facilities check the specific unit to confirm the provider.
A TDCJ number (also called an offender number) is a unique identification number assigned to each person who enters the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. It remains the same throughout the person's time in TDCJ, including for any subsequent incarcerations. It is distinct from the SPN used in county jails.
New TDCJ inmates are received at the Byrd Unit in Huntsville, Texas for initial intake and classification. At intake, inmates undergo medical and psychological screening, vocational testing, and risk assessment. Based on this evaluation, TDCJ assigns them to an appropriate unit within the system.
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