Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
Independent records-search resource. This website is not a government agency, police department, sheriff's office, jail, prison or courthouse. Search coverage varies by source and jurisdiction. Some links may lead to third-party services, and compensation may be received when a partner service is used.
Find a DC Inmate and Confirm the Right Custody System
A DC jail inmate search works differently from searches in most states because Washington, D.C. does not have a normal county-jail system. For a person held locally, the main agency is the District of Columbia Department of Corrections (DC DOC). The quickest official options are the DOC Records Office and the VINE custody system. If the person has already been transferred after a felony sentence, the correct search may instead be the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
(202) 523-7060
1-877-329-7894
Search by name or number
How to Run an Official DC Jail Inmate Search
Unlike many county sheriff websites, the DC DOC does not currently present its main inmate-location service as a large public “current inmates” roster. DOC directs people to its Records Office for general inmate information and to VINE for custody-status information.
- Have the inmate’s legal name ready. A DCDC number, PDID number or court case number makes identification easier.
- Open the DC DOC Locate an Inmate page or call the Inmate Records Office at (202) 523-7060.
- Ask which facility currently holds the person. The answer may be Central Detention Facility, Correctional Treatment Facility or another DOC placement.
- Write down the DCDC and PDID numbers if DOC provides them. These identifiers are useful for visitation, mail and later case research.
- Use VINE if you need current custody status or notifications. Search the person’s record and register for status alerts when appropriate.
- Check federal custody if the person has been transferred. A sentenced DC Code felon may ultimately be housed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
What DC DOC Can Confirm by Phone
Current DOC inmate-record policy specifically authorizes the Inmate Records Office to provide certain custody information to a family member, friend or other non-law-enforcement caller asking whether someone is in custody.
| Information | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Current facility | Confirms whether the person is at CDF, CTF or another DOC location. |
| Inmate name | Helps verify that you have the correct custody record. |
| DCDC number | DC Department of Corrections inmate identifier used across several services. |
| PDID number | Metropolitan Police Department identification number that can also help with court or custody research. |
| Facility address | Useful before sending mail or arranging a visit. |
| Date committed to DOC | Helps distinguish a current commitment from older arrest information. |
| VINE number | DOC publishes 1-877-329-7894 for VINE custody information. |
Do not confuse this information with a complete criminal-history report. A jail or custody record answers where a person is being held; the court record is the better source for filed charges, hearings and later case activity.
Which DC Facility Should You Check?
| Facility | Location / contact | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Central Detention Facility (CDF / DC Jail) | 1901 D Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 Command Center: (202) 698-4932 | The main DC Jail. DOC says most people housed here are male pretrial detainees or people serving misdemeanor sentences. |
| Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) | 1901 E Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 Command Center: (202) 790-6601 | Adjacent to CDF. DOC uses CTF for additional populations and specialized housing. |
| Central Cellblock (CCB) | 300 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 (202) 727-4222 | Worth checking when an arrest is very recent and the person may not yet have completed the normal DOC commitment process. |
Washington, D.C. users often lose time searching for a “county jail” that does not exist. If the arrest happened inside the District, begin with the DC custody path rather than Maryland or Virginia county systems.
If You Cannot Find the Person
| Possible reason | What to do next |
|---|---|
| The arrest just happened | The person may still be in arrest, identification, booking or court-processing stages. Contact Central Cellblock when appropriate and retry the DOC route. |
| Name spelling differs | Use the full legal first and last name. Try a middle name, suffix, hyphenated surname or another known legal spelling. |
| The person was released quickly | A current-custody search may no longer be useful. Search the DC Superior Court criminal case instead. |
| The case was not prosecuted | A person may be released after the prosecuting authority declines to proceed. Court information may be limited for an arrest-only or “no paper” matter. |
| The inmate was transferred | Check the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator, especially after a DC felony sentence. |
| You are searching the wrong jurisdiction | Confirm whether the arrest actually occurred in Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia. |
DC Jail Search vs. Federal Inmate Search
This is one of the most important differences in the District of Columbia. The Central Detention Facility is a local DC DOC jail, while the Federal Bureau of Prisons runs the federal prison system.
Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act, sentenced DC Code felons are generally transferred to federal BOP custody. That means someone who was previously in the DC Jail may later appear in the federal locator instead.
| Situation | Best system |
|---|---|
| Recently arrested and held locally in DC | DC DOC / Records Office |
| Need custody-change notifications | VINE |
| Pretrial detainee or local misdemeanor custody | DC DOC |
| Sentenced DC Code felon transferred to prison | Federal BOP Inmate Locator |
| Federal criminal case | BOP locator when the person is in BOP custody |
How to search the BOP locator
- Open the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
- Choose a name search if you do not have a federal register number.
- Enter the person’s first and last name and add age, race or sex only when needed to narrow common-name results.
- If you have a BOP Register Number, search by number for a more precise match.
- Check the facility/location field and release information displayed.
BOP states that its inmate-location data is updated daily, although projected release dates can change.
How to Check Charges, Court Dates and Case Status
The jail record and the court record answer different questions. Once you identify the correct inmate, use the DC Superior Court case-search system for the criminal case.
| You need to know | Best source |
|---|---|
| Is the person in DC DOC custody? | DOC Records Office / VINE |
| Which jail or facility? | DOC Records Office |
| What is the DCDC or PDID number? | DOC Records Office |
| What charges were filed in court? | DC Superior Court eAccess |
| What is the next court date? | DC Superior Court eAccess or Criminal Information Office |
| Has the person transferred to federal prison? | BOP Inmate Locator |
DC criminal case lookup steps
- Open the Superior Court Case Search.
- Use eAccess for Criminal Division cases.
- Search using the defendant’s full name, exact case number or PDID when available.
- Open the correct case and review the docket, parties and next scheduled hearing.
- For a time-sensitive hearing or bond question, verify with the Criminal Division rather than relying on an old screenshot or third-party record.
The DC Courts Criminal Information Office can also be reached at (202) 879-1373. A listed arrest or charge is an allegation, not proof of guilt, and charges may later be amended, dismissed or otherwise resolved.
DC Jail Visitation: What Families Need to Know
DC DOC’s current visitation policy provides video visitation plus certain face-to-face visitation options. Because facility schedules can change for security or operational reasons, confirm the appointment immediately before traveling.
CDF video visitation
- Visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and may generally be scheduled up to one week ahead.
- Scheduling numbers: 1-888-906-6394 or (202) 442-6155.
- Phone scheduling is published for Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- The Video Visitation Center schedule in the current policy is Wednesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; the last session begins at 9:00 p.m.
- Online scheduling is available through visitation.doc.dc.gov.
CDF face-to-face visits
DOC’s September 2025 policy provides an incentive-based face-to-face option for qualifying CDF inmates. The published eligibility includes at least 60 days of incarceration and no sustained disciplinary violation during the preceding 30 days. Eligible inmates may receive one 30-minute face-to-face visit per month.
The policy schedules these visits on the first consecutive Monday and Tuesday of the month, with A–M surnames on Monday and N–Z on Tuesday. Because eligibility is determined by DOC, confirm that the inmate has actually been approved before traveling.
CTF face-to-face visits
CTF uses an authorized visitor list. The current policy allows up to 12 people on the list and generally permits one visit each week on the inmate’s designated day. Social-visit reservations are published at (202) 790-6595, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Visitors should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
Sending Mail, Money and Handling Phone Accounts
Mail to a DC Jail inmate
For ordinary correspondence to an inmate housed at the DC Jail/CDF, DOC instructs senders to include the inmate’s name and DCDC number and use:
Inmate’s Full Name – DCDC NumberDC Jail / Central Detention Facility
1901 D Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
Incoming mail is searched for contraband. Current DOC correspondence policy prohibits items such as incoming postage stamps and envelopes, cash, personal checks and certain prohibited photographs. Confirm the current instructions before sending anything other than a normal letter.
Sending money
Every DOC inmate receives a finance account during intake. DC DOC currently lists Western Union, OffenderConnect and an Inmate Connector kiosk as deposit options.
For Western Union transactions, DOC publishes these identifiers:
- Pay To: DCDOC
- Code City: DCGOV
- State: DC
- Sender’s account: inmate number plus inmate’s last name
Always confirm the inmate’s identity and current facility before paying. Vendor fees and payment methods can change. See the official DC DOC inmate deposit instructions immediately before submitting money.
Phone accounts
DC DOC’s inmate telephone page directs friends and family to its current communications provider for adding funds to a phone account. Because correctional communication vendors can change, start from the official DOC inmate telephone page rather than following an old vendor bookmark.
Release, Transfers and Reentry Help
If someone disappears from the DC jail search after sentencing, do not assume they were released. A transfer to federal BOP custody is a major possibility for a sentenced DC Code felon.
For people actually returning to the community, DC DOC operates the READY Center, which connects returning citizens with government and community resources such as identification, benefits, employment, health and reentry support.
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Phone: (202) 790-6790
Official READY Center information
Some older DOC handouts still reference the former 1901 E Street SE location, so use the current service page or call before traveling.
Release gratuity for qualifying DOC inmates
DC DOC also maintains a limited release-gratuity policy. Under the current policy, qualifying pretrial inmates and sentenced misdemeanants being released to the community may be considered for financial assistance of up to $100 when they meet the stated financial-need and eligibility requirements.
The policy says a qualifying inmate should submit a written request to the case manager at least 14 calendar days before release. The gratuity is not an entitlement, and transfers to BOP or another custodial placement do not qualify under the normal community-release criteria.
DC Jail and Inmate Information Contacts
| Office / service | Contact |
|---|---|
| DOC Inmate Records Office | (202) 523-7060 |
| VINE custody information | 1-877-329-7894 |
| CDF / DC Jail Command Center | (202) 698-4932 |
| CTF Command Center | (202) 790-6601 |
| Central Cellblock | (202) 727-4222 |
| Video visitation scheduling | 1-888-906-6394 / (202) 442-6155 |
| CTF face-to-face visitation reservations | (202) 790-6595 |
| DC Superior Court Criminal Information | (202) 879-1373 |
| READY Center | (202) 790-6790 |
Related Inmate Search Guides
If the arrest occurred outside the District, use the jail system for the actual arrest jurisdiction rather than the DC DOC search.
DC Jail Inmate Search FAQs
1. How do I search for an inmate in the DC Jail?
Start with the DC Department of Corrections. Call the Inmate Records Office at (202) 523-7060 for general custody information, then use VINE when you need custody status or notifications.
2. Does Washington, D.C. have an online jail roster?
DC DOC does not currently present its main inmate-location service as a traditional county-style current-inmate roster. Its official locate-an-inmate page directs users to the Records Office, while DOC also links to VINELink for offender custody searches.
3. What information can the DC DOC Records Office provide?
DOC policy authorizes the Records Office to provide the inmate’s facility, name, DCDC number, PDID number, facility address, date of commitment to DOC and the VINE contact number when responding to qualifying custody inquiries.
4. Why can’t I find someone who was just arrested in Washington, D.C.?
The person may still be going through arrest processing, booking, identification or court presentation. If the arrest is very recent, Central Cellblock may be relevant before the person enters regular DOC custody.
5. What is the difference between the DC Jail and CTF?
The Central Detention Facility, commonly called the DC Jail, is at 1901 D Street SE. The Correctional Treatment Facility is the adjacent DOC facility at 1901 E Street SE and houses additional populations under different housing and visitation arrangements.
6. Where do I search for a DC inmate transferred to federal prison?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Sentenced DC Code felons may be transferred from local DC DOC custody into the federal BOP system.
7. How do I find a DC inmate’s court date or criminal case?
Use the DC Superior Court case-search page and select eAccess for criminal cases. You can search using the defendant’s name, exact case number or PDID when available.
8. How do I schedule a visit with a DC Jail inmate?
For CDF video visitation, appointments must normally be booked at least 24 hours in advance. DOC publishes 1-888-906-6394 and (202) 442-6155 for scheduling and also provides an online visitation portal.
9. How do I send money to a DC DOC inmate?
DOC currently lists Western Union, OffenderConnect and its inmate deposit kiosk. Confirm the inmate’s DCDC number and current facility first, then follow the current DOC deposit page because vendors and fees can change.
10. Does a DC jail booking mean the person was convicted?
No. A jail booking or criminal charge is not proof of guilt. Charges may be amended, dismissed or resolved later. Use the DC Superior Court case record when you need the current court status.
Official sources used: District of Columbia Department of Corrections Locate an Inmate, Correctional Facilities, DOC FAQ, Inmate Records Policy 4060.2I, Inmate Visitation Policy 4081.1A, Inmate Correspondence Policy 4070.4H, Automated Inmate Deposits, Victim Information Services/VINE, READY Center, DC Superior Court Case Search and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
Accuracy note: Custody, release, bond, housing, visitation schedules and vendor information can change without notice. Use the linked government system for the final live transaction or status check. CountyJailInmateSearch.org is an independent informational website and is not the DC Department of Corrections, a court or another government agency.