Find Arizona Inmate Records
Arizona inmate records are held by multiple agencies at the state and county level. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry manages state prison inmates. County sheriffs run local jails across all 15 Arizona counties. You can search for inmates online through official databases or request records by mail and in person. This guide shows you how to find Arizona inmate records using free and low cost methods that work right now.
Arizona Inmate Records Quick Facts
Arizona State Prison Inmate Search
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry runs the state prison system. They call it ADCRR for short. This agency holds over 35,000 inmates in facilities across Arizona. You can search their database online at no cost.
The ADCRR inmate lookup tool lets you find state prisoners by name or inmate number. Go to the ADCRR inmate data search page to start. The site shows basic info about each inmate. You will see their photo, current location, and projected release date. Keep in mind that release dates are not verified by the department and can change at any time based on good behavior credits or other factors that affect the sentence calculation.
The actual search database is at inmatedatasearch.azcorrections.gov. Type a name and click search. Results show up fast. You can view details for any match you find.
One thing to know about Arizona prison records: sending inmate data to a current prisoner is a crime. Under A.R.S. 13-2505, this counts as promoting prison contraband. It is a Class 5 felony in Arizona. The punishment can reach two and a half years in state prison. This rule exists because inmates might use the data to find witnesses or plan escapes.
Note: ADCRR data includes state prison inmates only, not county jail detainees in Arizona.
Request Arizona Inmate Records
Sometimes you need more than what the online search shows. ADCRR accepts public records requests for detailed inmate information. You can ask for court documents, classification files, and other records in the system. Some items require a subpoena or release form from the inmate themselves.
The ADCRR public records page explains how to submit requests. Call their Public Access line at 602-542-5886 for help. You can also email questions to ADCconstituent@azadc.gov or use their toll free number at 866-333-2039. Staff will tell you what records are available and what forms you need to fill out for your request.
Medical and mental health records require special handling. Send those requests to DOC-HCC.MRR@azadc.gov with a signed release form from the inmate. ADCRR no longer provides visitation lists or tablet contact information in response to public records requests. Those policies changed in recent years due to security concerns at Arizona facilities.
Arizona Criminal History Records
Criminal history records are different from inmate records. The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the Central State Repository for all criminal records in the state. This is separate from ADCRR. Under A.R.S. 41-1750, all Arizona law enforcement agencies must report arrests and dispositions to this central database.
The DPS criminal history page covers how to get records. Private citizens cannot run checks on other people through this system. The law restricts access to authorized agencies and specific uses. You can check your own record though. Request a Record Review Packet from DPS and they will mail back any criminal history tied to your fingerprints within 15 days.
The DPS Public Services Portal handles fingerprint based background checks for employers and licensing boards. Fees run $22 for paid employees and $20 for volunteers. Call 602-223-2222 to reach the Criminal History Records Section at DPS. They can answer questions about what records exist and how to obtain them legally in Arizona.
Note: DPS cannot process employment background checks for private companies unless they fall under specific statutory exceptions in Arizona law.
Arizona Court Case Records
Court records show the legal side of criminal cases. The Arizona Judicial Branch runs a statewide public access system that covers most courts. You can search cases from 153 of 180 courts in Arizona through one portal. This includes criminal cases that led to jail time or prison sentences for inmates.
Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess to search court cases in Arizona. You can look up cases by name or case number. The system shows minute entries, hearing dates, and case status. Some counties have their own additional search tools as well.
Maricopa County has its own criminal case search at the Superior Court website. Pima County Justice Court offers a separate case search tool. These local systems sometimes have more detail than the statewide portal. Check both if you are trying to find full case history for an Arizona inmate.
Court records tell you what crimes a person was convicted of and what sentence the judge ordered. This context helps explain why someone is in jail or prison in Arizona. The records also show if appeals are pending or if the case is fully resolved.
County Jail Inmate Records in Arizona
Each of the 15 Arizona counties runs its own jail. The sheriff operates the detention facility in each county. Inmate search tools vary by location. Some counties have online rosters. Others require a phone call.
A 2024 federal court ruling changed how some counties handle inmate searches. The Ninth Circuit decided in Houston v. Maricopa County that posting mugshots and personal information may violate due process rights. Several Arizona counties paused their online inmate search tools after this ruling came down. Pinal, Mohave, and Cochise counties removed public access to their jail rosters. You now need to call these jails directly to ask about specific inmates being held there.
Counties that still offer online inmate search include Maricopa, Pima, Yavapai, Yuma, Apache, and Navajo. La Paz County posts an inmate list as a PDF file on the sheriff website. Each county sets its own policies within the limits of state and federal law. Check the specific county page on this site for current search options and contact numbers.
Note: County jail records show current detainees and recent bookings, not historical arrest data going back years.
Arizona Victim Notification System
VINELink is a free service that tracks inmate custody status across Arizona. Victims of crime can register to get alerts when an offender is released, transferred, or escapes. The system covers both state prisons and county jails throughout Arizona. Anyone can use it to check if someone is currently in custody.
Visit vinelink.com to search for offenders in Arizona. The site is free. You can also call 1-866-277-7477 any time of day or night. Arizona VINE has provided victim notification services for over 27 years. The state funds this program through the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission.
The system sends alerts by phone, email, or text message based on your preference. This helps victims stay informed without having to check jail rosters every day. Registration takes just a few minutes and the service remains active until you cancel it.
Arizona Public Records Law
Arizona has strong public records laws. Under A.R.S. 39-121, public records must be open for inspection by any person during office hours. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The custodian of records must allow access promptly or the request is deemed denied.
Inmate records at ADCRR have specific rules under A.R.S. 31-221. The department keeps a master record file on each prisoner. Inmates can view their own automated summary record once per year. They cannot access records about other inmates. The public can request certain information but some details remain confidential.
Record review through DPS uses a different process. The portal at psp.azdps.gov handles authorized background checks. Responses come back within 15 days of receiving a complete Record Review Packet. You need fingerprints for a full criminal history search.
Browse Arizona Inmate Records by County
Each county sheriff operates the local jail and sets policies for inmate information access. Select a county below to find contact details, search tools, and record request procedures for that area.
Inmate Records in Major Arizona Cities
Cities do not run their own jails in most cases. Arrestees go to county facilities after booking. Select a city below to learn how inmate records work in that area and which county jail holds local detainees.