Find Nebraska Inmate Records

Upon conviction, the Nebraska judiciary usually sentences offenders to serve time in a local prison or a state correctional facility. The Sheriff Department oversees inmates in county and city jails, while the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) is in charge of inmates in state prisons. Similarly, custody and information regarding federal offenders are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. All of these custodians also maintain inmate records that are available to interested members of the public.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska inmate records are public per Section 84–712 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes. Thus, interested persons may request non-sensitive non-confidential records from the agency that has custody of the inmate.

Public records are generally made available under state transparency laws, but access to them is not always straightforward. In many cases, third-party websites provide an additional means of locating such information. These platforms are not bound by local or regional jurisdiction, which means they can aggregate records from multiple states or counties into a single searchable database. This makes them particularly useful for individuals attempting to locate documents or verify details across different geographic areas.

When initiating a search on a third-party platform or an official government site, requesters must enter specific information, such as the full name of the person connected to the record, provided the subject is not a minor, and the likely jurisdiction or location where the record originated. However, it is essential to note that third-party sites operate independently from official government agencies. As a result, they may not carry the same guarantee of accuracy or comprehensiveness. Availability of records can vary, and in some cases, the data may be outdated, incomplete, or subject to restrictions that are not clearly explained on the site.

What Information is Contained in a Nebraska Inmate Record?

A Nebraska inmate record will typically contain the following:

• Mugshot
• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Demographics
• Inmate ID number
• Offense Information
• Sentence information
• Facility of incarceration

Where Do I Look Up an Inmate in Nebraska?

Interested persons may look up an inmate in Nebraska in one of three ways:

• Online search
• In-person requests
• Mail request

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Nebraska?

• In-person and telephone:

The first step is identifying the state correctional facility or the county jail where the inmate is incarcerated or detained. If the requester has identified the facility, they may contact the facility using the contact information on the county jail website or the NDCS directory of correctional facilities in the state. Some jails provide members of the public with telephone service to find an inmate, but scheduling a visit with the jail administrator may be necessary to obtain physical copies of inmate records. Most jails have visitation policies, and an individual who violates a visitation policy may not gain entrance into the facility.

• Mail requests:

Prepare a written request citing the Nebraska Public Records Statutes (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84–712). Most importantly, the record request must contain a detailed description of the records sought. Once the request contains the necessary details, the requester may send it by email or enclose it in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send public records requests to:

Public Disclosure Unit
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
P.O. Box 94661
Lincoln, NE 68509
Email: DCS.PublicRecords@nebraska.gov

The unit responsible for handling the request will typically respond to the request within four (4) business days of receipt. While the NDCS charges no fees for submitting a request, the Department may charge for unusual requests or records requiring extensive research. In this case, the Department will provide an estimate of associated costs. Notably, the Department does not process requests if the requester does not approve the estimated costs.

Meanwhile, statutory provisions exempt individual records from public disclosure. It may also be helpful to see if the courts have denied a request in the past. The NDCS maintains a collection of such denied record requests.

• Online search:

Online searches help confirm the incarceration or detainment of an inmate. Still, these databases are useful resources for inmate records. For local jails, the inmate roster on the Sheriff’s website is the best resource. For example, the Douglas County Department of Corrections maintains an inmate locator, and the Sarpy County Jails regularly update booking records.

On the other hand, the NDCS Offender Search is an online resource for finding information on inmates in state prisons. The finder must know the inmate’s full name or ID to query the database. Upon query, the database will display a list of possible matches, and the finder may click on the name for more information.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Nebraska?

Apply for a fee waiver from the record custodian. An application for a fee waiver is more likely to be granted if the requester shows that the record is in the public interest and for non-commercial purposes. Otherwise, the requester must bear the cost of searching, reproducing, and certifying the inmate record requested.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Nebraska

Nebraska stores old inmate records, including parole or probation records, on the prisoner records database. Interested persons may contact reference staff for a complete Descriptive Record of Inmates. Email hn.reference@nebraska.gov with the procedures and costs for initiating a search.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) maintains inmate release date records. The NDCS online inmate locator provides access to projected release dates, parole eligibility, and custody status. Dates may change based on good-time credits, parole decisions, or disciplinary measures.

Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
801 W. Prospector Place, Building 1
Lincoln, NE 68522
Phone: (402) 471-2654

Formal written requests should be directed to the Records Office at the address above. Fees may apply for certified copies.

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Nebraska?

Follow the instructions for requesting inmate records to send a written request to the Department of Corrections. If the death records are subject to public disclosure, the Department will provide the requested documents. Interested persons may also submit a request to the Department of Health. Only surviving family members and authorized persons may request the death records. Other persons must produce a court order granting access to the requested documents.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Federal prisons hold offenders convicted of federal crimes. Depending on the severity of the crime, offenders serve time in minimum—or maximum-security facilities. Federal prisons are under the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), and interested persons may find inmates using the BOP Inmate locator. BOP allows searchers to find information on inmates incarcerated as far back as 1982. The searcher may use the offender’s unique BOP number or full name to achieve this.

Furthermore, providing additional information such as race, age, and sex helps narrow down the search from thousands of results. It is worth noting that records on inmates incarcerated before 1982 are only available on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website. The searcher will have access to an inmate information database from 1870 to 1981.

How Long Does it Take For An Inmate’s Information to Be Published in Nebraska Inmate Locator?

It depends. Factors such as staff availability and technology integrated into the prison record management system affect how quickly information on newly incarcerated inmates is available on the inmate locator.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

In Nebraska, the Department of Correctional Services updates inmate data regularly, but some records may not appear immediately due to processing delays. Inmates who are newly booked or recently transferred between facilities may not yet be entered into the public database. Specific categories of offenders, such as juveniles or individuals in protective custody, are excluded from public searches to comply with state confidentiality laws. Search errors, including misspellings or incorrect identifiers, may prevent results from displaying.