How to Find Someone in Custody in Illinois
There is no single 'Illinois inmate search.' State prisons, county jails, and federal facilities each keep their own rosters. The good news: all three layers are checkable online, free, from official sources listed here.
- State custody: start with the Illinois Department of Corrections locator (idoc.illinois.gov) — name or ID number searches, current facility, and in most cases projected release dates.
- County jails: 47 Illinois counties post their own jail rosters, linked below — that's where you'll find anyone arrested recently or serving under a year.
- Federal custody: the Bureau of Prisons locator (bop.gov) covers federal defendants and anyone sentenced in US District Court — a separate population people forget to check.
- Stay notified: VINELink sends automatic alerts when someone's custody status changes — transfer, release, or escape — in nearly every state.
IDOC calls it the individual-in-custody search now; Cook County's jail — one of the country's largest — has its own separate locator. Content reviewed July 29, 2026 by the SearchSystems editorial team.
Official Illinois Custody Lookups
Illinois Department of Corrections — Inmate Locator
Official Free
The official Illinois state-custody search. Current facility, custody status, and release information for people serving state sentences.
VINELink — Illinois Custody Alerts
Official Free
Search custody status and register for automatic notification when someone is moved or released. Free, run for victims but open to anyone.
Federal Bureau of Prisons — Inmate Locator
Official Free
Everyone in federal custody since 1982, searchable by name or register number. Covers federal sentences, which no state system lists.
🌐 bop.gov
Inmate Search | Richland County Sheriff's Office IL
Official Free
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office website was developed to help improve communication with area residents. The Richland County IL Sheriff’s website allows residents to connect with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office by reporting crimes, submitting tips, and other interactive features,.
Illinois Counties With Online Jail Rosters
These counties publish their own booking or in-custody lists — click through for each county records page.
Adams Calhoun Carroll Champaign Clark Coles Crawford Cumberland DeKalb Douglas DuPage Effingham Fayette Grundy Hamilton Hardin Jasper Jersey Jo Daviess Kane Kankakee Kendall Knox LaSalle Lake Logan Macon Macoupin Marion Massac McHenry Menard Mercer Peoria Putnam Randolph Richland Schuyler St. Clair Stephenson Tazewell Warren Wayne White Whiteside Will Woodford
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Illinois inmate locator free?
Yes. Every official source on this page is free to search. Sites that charge for 'inmate reports' are reselling public data.
Why can't I find someone arrested yesterday?
Fresh arrests appear in the county jail's booking system first, sometimes hours later. State locators only list people after sentencing and transfer to state custody.
Does a locator listing mean the person was convicted?
No. Jail rosters include people awaiting trial who are presumed innocent. Check the court docket for the case outcome.
How do I send money or arrange a visit?
Each facility sets its own rules — the Illinois Department of Corrections site covers state facilities, and each county sheriff posts local jail policies.
Related Illinois Records
Custody is one piece: the Illinois criminal records page covers official background checks, wants & warrants lists who's being looked for, and Illinois court records hold the cases behind every custody entry.