What are Wisconsin Inmate Records?

Wisconsin inmate records are those that follow someone through the criminal justice system. They may include court records, police reports, arrest warrants, bench warrants, confinement rosters, and behavioral write-ups.

The general information contained in inmate records includes the offender’s name, date of birth, age, gender, race, eye and hair color, weight, height, and any tattoos, scars, or other defining marks. They may also include fingerprints, evidence, mugshots, and charges and sentencing.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WDOC) is the state agency responsible for inmate records, correctional facilities, and inmates themselves. They make it easy to find some records, but others may be harder to get.

Wisconsin Prison and Jail System

Wisconsin has 36 correctional facilities. Many of them are called “institutions” and focus more on programs of rehabilitation rather than punishment. A few are for women only, and some treat substance abuse and other mental health issues.

Wisconsin also has various local county jails owned and operated by the towns within each county. These facilities hold short-term inmates (serving less than a year) and those awaiting trial. Sheriff’s offices typically run them.

There are 24,000 people in state prison in Wisconsin, another 13,000 in local county jails, and 2,200 in federal prison within the state.

How to Search for Inmates in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has a special website where the public can go to search for someone incarcerated in the state. The search is based on name or alias, and you can narrow down the search results with an address, DOC#, gender, age, race, or birth year.

The results show in a list with each offenders’ name, birth year, county, race, zip code, and status. You can click someone’s name for more information such as a mugshot, aliases, current location, status, all moves within the incarceration system, all court cases, and more photos.

Types of Jails in Wisconsin

How to Contact, Send Money to or Visit an Inmate in Wisconsin

Anyone wishing to visit an inmate in Wisconsin must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list. To get on the list, you must apply by filling out an application form. Then you can visit on regularly scheduled days/times, but you must follow all the rules and dress accordingly. The punishment for bringing anything illegal to a visit is severe.

According to the WDOC, anyone can send mail to an inmate as long as it includes “the inmate’s full name, DOC number, and a return address.” Inmates are also allowed to converse with friends and family via email. Read more about that here.

You can easily send money to an inmate using the Access Corrections Secure Deposit service. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections contracts with them to handle all inmates’ accounts. You may also send packages following the instructions on the above page.

Inmates are allowed to make outgoing calls only. The state uses ICSolutions for phone services, and friends and family can prepay for phone minutes online or by phone using the instructions on this page.

Police Departments in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Counties