How do I find an inmate or search a jail roster?

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) (state prisons and supervision) / County Sheriff's Office / County Jail (county level - 254 counties)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Online searches free; certified records requests may involve fees ONLINE OPTION: Yes - TDCJ Inmate Search at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov; county Sheriff websites; Vinelink WHERE TO GO: TDCJ (state prison inmates); County Sheriff's Office/County Jail (county inmates)

Online Option

Yes - TDCJ Inmate Search at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov; county Sheriff websites; Vinelink

Where to Go

TDCJ (state prison inmates); County Sheriff's Office/County Jail (county inmates)

County-specific variations apply

Texas's 254 counties each operate their own county jail through the Sheriff's Office. Harris County (Houston - Harris County Jail is one of the largest in the nation), Dallas County, Tarrant County, Bexar County, Travis County, Collin County, and Denton County have the best online inmate search tools. Many smaller TX counties - especially in rural West Texas and South Texas - may have limited online access; direct calls to the Sheriff's Office are necessary.

Texas Notes

Important state-specific details

TDCJ manages 100+ correctional facilities statewide including Huntsville Unit (Walls Unit), Ellis Unit, Estelle Unit, Darrington Unit, Coffield Unit, and many more; Inmate Search covers only CURRENT TDCJ inmates.
TDCJ also operates extensive parole and supervision systems; parolees NOT in TDCJ Inmate Search database.
County jails operated by County Sheriffs - separate from TDCJ; recent arrests will NOT appear in TDCJ database.
Texas Sex Offender Registry (DPS): txdps.state.tx.us/sex-offender-registration - searchable online.
For visitation, phone calls, sending money, commissary, or mailing to a Texas inmate: inmateaid.com has TDCJ and county jail facility details; TDCJ eComm Direct: tdcj.texas.gov for online commissary/communications.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - tdcj.texas.gov | (936) 437-6300; Inmate Search: inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch