Find Vermont Inmate Records

In Vermont, offender or inmate records refer to information generated, compiled, or kept by the Vermont Department of Corrections (VT DOC) about convicted offenders sentenced to prison by the state's courts. Typically, inmate records contain the personal history, booking details, release date, sentence information, probation/parole information of offenders, and are maintained on paper, electronic, and other media forms. The Vermont Department of Corrections maintains records of offenders confined in state prison facilities or jails. The local law enforcement agencies (sheriff and police departments) also handle records of individuals housed in prisons.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in Vermont?

Per the Vermont Public Records Act, 28 V.S.A. § 107(b), Vermont's incarceration or inmate records are not considered public information. Although this law directs that these records be kept confidential, the Department of Corrections is authorized to maintain a Public Use File (a part of the inmate record) open to any interested person. As a result, members of the public can obtain some information from an inmate's record.

Public records in Vermont can be accessed directly from the appropriate government office or through privately operated third-party search services. These sites frequently combine information from different regions, making it easier to locate records when the jurisdiction is uncertain. Requesters are typically asked to provide a name and the location linked to the record, such as a town, county, or state reference. However, since Vermont authorities do not sponsor third-party platforms, the records they provide may not always align completely with official government files.

What Information is Contained in a Vermont Inmate Record?

As stated above, inmate records are closed to the public in Vermont. However, the "Public Use File" that can be released to any person contains the following inmate information:

• Personal identifying information: name (first/middle/last), aliases (if known), age, race, sex, and the town of residence
• Admission/booking date
• Current location
• Minimum and maximum date of release
• Date released (if applicable)
• Probation and parole officer
• Corrections Service Specialist
• Legal status
• Charge status
• Description of charges
• Bail amount
• Sentence(s)

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in Vermont?

Inmates incarcerated in Vermont may be found using the following methods:

• Online via the VT DOC Offender Locator
• Submitting an FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), a written request to the VT DOC
• Contacting the VT DOC, correctional facility, or relevant local law enforcement agency

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in Vermont?

The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) provides remote access and direct request methods for finding inmates. Remote access to inmate information is provided through the Offender Locator. With this search tool, current and released inmates can be located by entering the offender's last and first name into the search query. At a glance, searchers can view an inmate's complete name, booking date, release date (if applicable), jacket/ID number, and facility of incarceration. By selecting "view more", additional information can be obtained, including:

• Charge(s) and charge(s) code
• Court date
• Court type
• Booking status (sentenced, detained, or hold)
• Offense date
• Arrest date
• Arresting agency
• Case number
• Bond type and amount
• Inmate's current age
• Booking time
• Race
• Sex
• Aliases
• Parole officer
• Caseworker
• Minimum and maximum release date

Under the Vermont Public Records Act, 1 VSA 315 et seq, questions about an inmate's whereabouts can also be submitted directly to the VT DOC. The contact information for public record requests may be found in the footer of the VT DOC's website. The Department may assess a request fee according to the uniform charges schedule.

Also, friends, family members, and other interested persons may use the DOC Online Portal Form to obtain information on an inmate or place an inmate-related inquiry. Requesters may enter their personal information, such as first and last names, title (for persons writing for professional reasons), phone number/email, contact preferences, and the following offender information:

• First and last name
• Gender
• ID/Jacket number
• Location
• Specific correctional facility
• Offender status

The form also allows interested persons to specify the reason(s) for their inquiry, including medical, facility case management, field supervision, programming, inmate property, legal issues, staff conduct, inmate phone system, and other general inquiries.

Offenders serving sentences in the jails may be found using the above methods, as the Vermont correctional facilities double as jails. However, the sheriff's office or police department responsible for an individual's apprehension may be able to provide information on an offender. The contact information of any law enforcement agency is typically available on the specific agency's website.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in Vermont?

The remote-access inmate locator provided by the Vermont Department of Corrections assists members of the public in finding or looking up an inmate's location in the state. The service also provides the offender's status, identifying data, sentencing details, and more. Persons using this service are not required to pay any fee to obtain this information.

Inmates confined in jails may be located for free by contacting the law enforcement agencies or the applicable correctional facility/jail.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in Vermont

No explicit information is provided on accessing or obtaining old inmate records in Vermont. Members of the public who want to inquire about these records may contact the Vermont Department of Corrections or relevant local law enforcement agencies for further information.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In Vermont

The Vermont Department of Corrections (VT DOC) oversees inmate information, including release dates. While Vermont does not operate as extensive a public database as some states, custody and release inquiries can be made through the Department's Offender Locator Tool or by contacting:

Vermont Department of Corrections – Central Office
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671
Phone: (802) 241-2442

Basic search information is typically free. Formal record requests under the Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq.) may involve processing charges.

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in Vermont?

In Vermont, there is no publicly available instruction on finding inmate death records. Interested persons may contact the correctional facility where the death occurred for this information. However, it should be noted that Vermont law does not ordinarily permit public access to inmate records, except for the information in the Public Use File, as explained above, or information published on the VT DOC's inmate locator. Therefore, public access to an inmate's death records may be restricted.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Interested persons may find federal inmates through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator with an inmate's name or BOP/FBI/INS/DCDC number. This search tool provides information on offenders imprisoned from 1982 to the present:

• Personal details: name, sex, race, and age
• Present location
• BOP registration number
• Expected release date

Older federal inmate records are also obtainable, but not from the BOP. Inmate records dating back to 1982 are accessible through the National Archives and Records Administration. Ordering instructions for these records are available on the How to Obtain Copies of Records page.

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

The Vermont Department of Corrections does not outright state the time between an offender's commitment and an update on the Vermont Inmate Locator. However, these inquiries may be directed to the Department at (802) 241–2442.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

Vermont's inmate records may not display specific individuals in the public offender locator for several reasons. Inmates held in federal custody or housed in out-of-state institutions under interstate agreements are not included in the Vermont Department of Corrections' system. Juvenile offenders are strictly protected under state law and cannot be accessed through public databases. Records for newly incarcerated individuals may not be processed immediately, resulting in short-term omissions. Some inmates are also deliberately excluded from public listings due to protective custody arrangements, high-risk classifications, or court-ordered confidentiality.