Arkansas Inmate Records

Arkansas inmate records are documents containing detailed information about offenders incarcerated within the state's prison system. Approximately 17,625 inmates are held in correctional facilities managed and directly funded by the state, while an average of 6,920 are housed in local jails. About 2,500 federal offenders are also incarcerated in the federal prison located in the state. Arkansas's inmate population represents an incarceration rate of 574 per 100,000 residents, one of the highest in the United States, and it is higher than the national average of 355 per 100,000 total population.

Each inmate incarcerated in Arkansas has a record maintained by the state, local, or federal agency/authority in charge of the correctional facility where they are held. The supervising agencies have a responsibility to ensure that inmate records are accurate and up-to-date. A typical Arkansas inmate record has the following details:

• Personal Details - These include the inmate's name, sex, race, weight, height, birth date, eye color, hair color, and mugshot.
• Sentencing Information - This includes the inmate's offense, county of incarceration, sentence date, case number, and sentence length. It will also include details of prior prison sentence history.
• Arrest Details - These include information about the arresting agency, the place and date of the arrest, the arrest warrant, and charges.
• Probation Details - These show the inmate's offense, county of probation, community supervision length, and sentence date.
• Guilt Disciplinary Violations - These include violations of prison rules, the date of infractions, and the disciplinary actions taken against the inmate.
• Release Information - This shows the expected date of release of the inmate from incarceration.

Are Inmate Records Public in Arkansas?

Most inmate records are public in Arkansas as stipulated in the state's Freedom of Information Act, codified as Section 25-19-101 through Section 25-19-110 of the state's Code. Except as otherwise provided by law, all Arkansas public records, including inmate records, are open to inspection and copying by members of the public.

However, certain information in an Arkansas inmate record may be redacted before making the record public. This includes medical records, investigation records, mental health information, social security number, and any information that may reveal the identity of a confidential informant. In addition, public access to sealed or expunged arrest records is restricted. As a result, such records are exempt from public disclosure.

What Agencies Are Responsible for Inmate Records in Arkansas?

The following are some of the notable government agencies in charge of the correctional facilities in Arkansas. They are also responsible for maintaining accurate records of all inmates serving prison or jail sentences under their jurisdiction.

• The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) - The Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC) provides custody for offenders convicted of felony offenses. Such offenders are housed in the ADC's 24 correctional facilities where they receive rehabilitative services. The ADC, in addition to managing state-run correctional facilities and overseeing inmates' activity, is also responsible for keeping records of all offenders incarcerated in those prisons.
• Police Departments - In Arkansas, the local police departments manage arrest records, which are a part of inmate records, for all inmates incarcerated in state correctional facilities or local jails. However, police departments do not house inmates like authorized correctional facilities.
• County Sheriff's Offices - The county sheriff's offices across Arkansas are responsible for maintaining records of all individuals held in their respective local jails. Such persons include offenders convicted of Class Misdemeanors and sentenced for up to 1 year, and those awaiting a court appearance on a misdemeanor or felony charge. Arkansas has about 69 local jails spread across the state.
• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) - Records of offenders sentenced to the only federal correctional facility in Arkansas for violating a federal law are maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The BOP manages this facility, funds it, and oversees all the facility's operations and activities.

How To Search an Inmate's Information in Arkansas

Before searching for an inmate's information in Arkansas, it is crucial to determine where the offender is held within the state's prison system. Typically, an inmate will be incarcerated in a local, state, or federal correctional facility.

Find an inmate in the Arkansas State Prisons

With the Inmate Population Search system managed by the state's Department of Corrections (ADC), anyone may find information about inmates housed in state correctional facilities in Arkansas. Interested persons can search for an inmate's information with this system using several search criteria, including the inmate's name, ADC number, offense category, facility, and county. Typical information obtained from the search includes an inmate's personal information, mugshot, current prison sentence history, and details of the facility where the inmate is held.

If someone needs a comprehensive record on an inmate incarcerated in any of Arkansas's state-run prisons, they can visit the correctional facility where the offender is held and submit a request in person. However, it is often advised to look up a facility's contact information on their website and contact them in advance to determine if an appointment is required for this service. The custodian will request certain information, like the name, ADC number, or date of birth of the inmate whose record is sought, to enable them to locate the inmate's record file.

Find an Inmate in Local Jail

One of the best ways to find information regarding inmates housed in local jails operating in Arkansas is through the online inmate search tools provided by the county sheriff's offices supervising local jails. Many of the county sheriff's offices in the state host inmate locators or inmate rosters on their websites that enable members of the public to locate inmates in custody and retrieve certain information about them. Usually, each local jail strives to keep up-to-date information regarding all the offenders in their custody.

While the online inmate rosters or locators managed by county sheriff's offices in Arkansas offer convenience, inmate information retrieved from them may not be as detailed. Anyone requiring detailed records of an offender incarcerated in a local jail in the state may obtain such records by visiting the facility where the inmate of interest is physically held. However, they must be able to provide certain details that will help the custodian narrow their search and locate the sought record.

Find an Inmate in Federal Prison

Records of federal inmates incarcerated in Forrest City FCC, the only federal prison in Arkansas, may be accessed through the BOP Inmate Locator using an inmate's name or BOP register number as the search parameter. Whether a name-based or BOP register number-based search is conducted, the search result typically comes out with inmate information that includes their full name, BOP registration number, sex, release date, and location.

Alternatively, anyone can obtain detailed information regarding any inmate housed in the federal prison located in Arkansas from 1982 to the present by visiting the correctional facility in person at:

How Can I Access Old Inmate Records?

While the correctional facilities in Arkansas manage different online inmate search resources, such tools generally have records or information of inmates who are currently in custody. Anyone who intends to find records of former inmates who served prison or jail sentences in the state and have been released should consider looking up the Arkansas State Archives. They may contact the Archives to determine if the old inmate records being sought are available on file. Similarly, the National Archives may be searched for information regarding inmates who served prison terms in the state's only federal prison and have been released.

Furthermore, some reputable third-party sites like Arkansaspublicrecords.us periodically collate public records, including inmate records from official sources, and keep them in their databases. Interested persons may look up old inmate records in the state through these sites, although they may have to pay a small fee.

Another way to access records of former inmates in Arkansas is to visit the correctional facilities, whether local jails, state prisons, or federal prison, where such inmates served their terms before their release. The custodians will make the sought record of information available upon providing any details, such as inmates' names, ADC numbers, or release dates, to facilitate the searches.

Alternatively, if a former inmate served their prison term in a state-run correctional facility, submit a FOIA request to the ADC by email to obtain detailed information regarding the inmate. Similarly, anyone may retrieve comprehensive records of an old inmate who was incarcerated in Arkansas's federal prison by submitting a FOIA request to the BOP by email or mail to:

Can I Find an Arkansas Inmate Record for Free?

Yes. Arkansas inmate records are accessible free of charge through several online inmate search resources offered by county sheriff's offices, the state's Department of Corrections (ADC), and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). However, the coverage of each inmate search tool is limited to the records of inmates under the jurisdiction of their prison or jail authority.

With reliable third-party websites like Arkansaspublicrecords.us, interested persons may find records of inmates serving prison or jail sentences in any correctional facility in the state. In other words, these sites are centralized databases of records for all inmates held in local jails, state-run prisons, or the federal prison in Arkansas. However, users will have to pay a nominal fee to access such records.

Jails and Prisons in Arkansas

Each correctional facility in Arkansas is categorized based on the type of management in charge of facility administration and inmate record maintenance. They include the following:

• State Prisons - Arkansas has 24 state-owned correctional facilities under the supervision of the state's Department of Corrections.
• Local Jails - About 69 local jails provide housing for inmates in Arkansas. Each of the local jails is supervised or managed by a county sheriff's office.
• Federal Prisons - Arkansas has only one federal prison facility, which is managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

State Prisons in Arkansas

Below is a list of some state-run correctional facilities in Arkansas:

Private Prisons in Arkansas

Currently, no private prisons operate in Arkansas.

Arkansas Inmate Statistics

• Arkansas Incarceration Rate - 574 per 100,000 residents
• Male Incarceration Rate - 1,068 per 100,000 males
• Female Incarceration Rate - 90 per 100,000 females
• Youth Custody Rate - 90 per 100,000 youths
• Number of Prisoners in Private Prisons - 0
• Black/White Imprisonment Disparity - 3.5:1
• Latino/White Imprisonment Disparity - 0.6:1
• Number of offenders under community supervision: 2,736 per 100,000 people
• Number on probation - 1,787 per 100,000 people
• Number on parole - 965 per 100,000 people
• Felony Disenfranchisement Rate - 3.7%

* Source: United States Bureau of Justice Statistics