How to Find Prison and Jail Records

Why Incarceration Records Are Genealogically Valuable

Prison and jail records are not what most people think of when they start genealogy research, but they contain remarkably detailed personal information. At a time when birth certificates and other vital records were sparse, a prison intake form might be the most comprehensive physical description and biographical snapshot of your ancestor available anywhere.

What Incarceration Records Contain

Prison Registers and Intake Records

When a person was admitted to a prison, detailed records were created:

• Full name and aliases
• Date and place of birth
• Physical description including height, weight, hair color, eye color, complexion, and distinguishing marks
• Occupation
• Marital status and next of kin
• Literacy level
• Crime committed and sentence
• Court of conviction
• Behavior records during incarceration
• Release or parole information

Mugshots

Beginning in the mid-1800s, many facilities photographed inmates. A mugshot may be the only surviving photograph of an ancestor.

Correspondence

Prisons often retained copies of inmates' letters, which can contain personal details and family information.

Parole Records

Parole files may include additional biographical information gathered during parole hearings, including family contacts and employment history.

Where to Find Prison and Jail Records

State Archives

Most state prisons transferred their historical records to state archives. These records are usually public after a certain period. Contact the state archives in the state where the incarceration occurred.

State Departments of Corrections

For more recent records, contact the state department of corrections directly. Each state has its own policies regarding access to incarceration records.

National Archives

Federal prison records for inmates at facilities like Alcatraz, Leavenworth, and Atlanta are held at the National Archives or its regional branches.

County Jails and Local Courts

County jail records are typically held by the county sheriff's office or have been transferred to county archives. The criminal court records associated with the case are held by the court that issued the sentence.

Online Databases

Several genealogy platforms have digitized prison records from various states. These are searchable by name and date.

ActualPeopleSearch

ActualPeopleSearch can help you identify where an ancestor lived and their associates, which may lead you to the correct jurisdiction for searching criminal and incarceration records.

How to Search for Incarceration Records

Step 1: Identify the Jurisdiction

You need to know where your ancestor was incarcerated. Clues include:

1. Family stories about an ancestor's legal troubles
2. Census records showing a person at a prison address
3. Newspaper reports of arrests, trials, and sentencing
4. Court records from the county where they lived

Step 2: Check the Census

The U.S. Census enumerated prisons, jails, and workhouses along with other institutions. If your ancestor disappears from their family household in one census year, check institutional schedules for that state.

Step 3: Search Court Records First

Criminal court records typically exist separately from prison records and may be easier to locate. They include:

• Indictments or informations
• Trial transcripts (for serious cases)
• Sentencing records
• Appeals documents

Step 4: Request the Prison File

Once you know the facility, submit a request for the inmate file. Include the person's name, approximate dates, and any identifying information you have.

Handling Sensitive Discoveries

Finding that an ancestor was incarcerated can be emotionally complex. Consider:

• Context matters. Laws and enforcement were very different in earlier eras. People were imprisoned for debts, minor offenses, and activities that are not crimes today.
• It is part of the story. Every family has complexity. An honest family history includes all aspects of ancestors' lives.
• Privacy for living people. If you discover incarceration records for living family members, handle this information with discretion.
• Share thoughtfully. Not every family member may want to learn about an ancestor's criminal history. Be sensitive when sharing findings.

Common Types of Historical Crimes in Records

Genealogists frequently encounter ancestors imprisoned for:

• Property crimes like theft, forgery, and fraud
• Violent crimes including assault and homicide
• Alcohol-related offenses especially during Prohibition
• Moral offenses that reflected the social norms of the era
• Debt in states that still practiced debtor imprisonment
• Draft evasion and military desertion

Using Criminal Records for Broader Research

Criminal records lead to other sources:

• Newspaper coverage of the crime, trial, and sentencing
• Court case files with witness testimony and evidence
• Pardon applications that may include character references and family pleas
• Post-release records showing where the person lived and worked after serving their sentence

Every record type adds another layer to your understanding of an ancestor's life, including the difficult chapters.