How to Find Someone in Custody in Indiana

There is no single 'Indiana 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 Indiana Department of Correction locator (in.gov) — name or ID number searches, current facility, and in most cases projected release dates.
  • County jails: 21 Indiana 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.

Indiana's DOC search sits on in.gov; many county jails also feed a shared statewide jail-tracker vendors run. Content reviewed July 29, 2026 by the SearchSystems editorial team.

Official Indiana Custody Lookups

Indiana Department of Correction — Inmate Locator
Official Free
The official Indiana state-custody search. Current facility, custody status, and release information for people serving state sentences.
🌐 in.gov
VINELink — Indiana 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.
🌐 vinelink.com
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

Indiana Counties With Online Jail Rosters

These counties publish their own booking or in-custody lists — click through for each county records page.

Boone Daviess DeKalb Dearborn Elkhart Gibson Greene Hamilton Henry Howard Lake Marion Noble Pike Porter Ripley Rush Steuben Tippecanoe Vanderburgh Wayne

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Indiana 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 Indiana Department of Correction site covers state facilities, and each county sheriff posts local jail policies.

Related Indiana Records

Custody is one piece: the Indiana criminal records page covers official background checks, wants & warrants lists who's being looked for, and Indiana court records hold the cases behind every custody entry.