Alaska Inmate Search

Are Alaska Inmate Records Public Information?

Alaska's public record law grants general access to inmate records. However, Section 22 AAC 05.095 of the Alaska administrative code limits access to certain inmate information. For instance, it ensures that no medical or individual case file containing information about a prisoner can be removed from a prison facility without the commissioner's consent or a court order.

Alaska inmate records contain official information about an inmate in a correctional facility in Alaska. Inmate records may contain information such as name, date of birth, charges, sentence, the term of imprisonment, physical descriptions, and sometimes a photograph of the inmate. In compliance with Alaska's open record laws, all or some of this information can be accessed by interested members of the public. This information is primarily accessed by conducting an Alaska inmate search through government-owned repositories and third-party custodians.

Inmate records are considered public in the United States and, therefore, are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide

The location of the sought-after record, including the state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.

How to Find Someone in Jail in Alaska

There are many ways to locate someone in detention in Alaska. If a potential contact thinks the detainee is being kept in the state or municipal jail in Alaska, they can use Alaska’s third-party provider (VINE) to discover where they are being detained. This medium can also be used to find out what a person is in jail for. The Alaska Department of Corrections registry can also be used to search for incarcerated persons in Alaska state jails. To find someone in jail who is a sex offender, people can search the Alaska Department of Public Safety database. People can also request inmates by calling the Chief Classification Officer of the Department of Corrections at (907) 269-7426.

How to Conduct a Free Inmate Search by Name in Alaska

While some prison inmate search databases require users to pay a one-time fee or be subscribed to their service, there are several alternatives that can be used to conduct a free inmate search by name or DOC number. They are as follows:

The Alaska Department of Public Safety Database: The Alaska DPS maintains a free-to-access online registry with which inquirers can search for inmates by name, address, ZIP code, and cities, all at no cost. For an Alaska inmate search, users are encouraged to know and provide the county and/or zip code where the inmate is held.
The Alaska Department of Corrections: Typically, inquirers seeking inmate records must pay a nominal fee to cover the cost of reproduction (where required). However, persons with no interest in physical records may be able to conduct a search without the accompanying fees.
Local Resources: A jail inmate search is best conducted from the office of the county sheriff or local law enforcement in the judicial district where the individual is likely being held. However, the inquirer will have to know information about the county in question and their procedure for conducting a prison inmate search by name before making their query.

Facilities Operated by the Alaska Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

The Alaska Department of Corrections (AK DOC) is the agency with administrative powers over the correctional facilities in Alaska. The AK DOC provides various rehabilitative programs for inmates, including educational services, vocational services, health services, rehabilitation, etc. Institutions under the administration of the AK DOC include:

The following are the addresses and contact information of all the correctional facilities in the state:

AK DOC - Anchorage Correctional Complex
East Building
1400 East 4th Avenue,
Anchorage, AK 99501

AK DOC - Anvil Mountain Correctional Center (AMCC)
1810 Center Creek Road
P.O. Box 730,
Nome, AK 99762

AK DOC - Fairbanks Correctional Center
931 Egan Avenue,
Fairbanks, AK 99701

AK DOC - Goose Creek Correctional Center
22301 West Alsop Road,
Wasilla, AK 99654

AK DOC - Hiland Mountain Correctional Center (HMCC)
9101 Hesterberg Road,
Eagle River, AK 99577

AK DOC - Ketchikan Correctional Center
1201 Schoenbar Road,
Ketchikan, AK 99901-6270

AK DOC - Lemon Creek Correctional Center (LCCC)
2000 Lemon Creek Road,
Juneau, AK 99801

AK DOC - Mat-Su Pretrial
339 East Dogwood Road,
Palmer, AK 99645

AK DOC - Palmer Correctional Center
Glen Hwy - Mile 58 P.O. Box 919,
Palmer, AK 99645

AK DOC - Point MacKenzie Correctional Farm
P.O. Box 877730,
Seward, AK 99664

AK DOC - Spring Creek Correctional Center (SCCC)
3600 Bette Cato Avenue,
Seward, AK 99664

AK DOC - Wildwood Correctional Complex (WWCC)
10 Chugach Avenue,
Kenai, AK 99611-7098

AK DOC - Wildwood Pre-Trial Facility (WPT)
5 Chugach Avenue,
Kenai, AK 99611-7049

AK DOC - Wildwood Transitional Program (WTP)
11 Chugach Avenue,
Kenai, AK 99611-7098

AK DOC - Yukon Kuskokwim Correctional Center (YKCC)
1000 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway
P.O. Box 400,
Bethel, AK 99599

Alaska Department of Corrections - Juneau
802 3rd Street, Douglas,
AK 99824

Bethel Youth Facility
P.O. Box 1989,
Bethel, AK 99559

McLaughlin Youth Center, Anchorage
2600 Providence Drive,
Anchorage, AK 99508

Nome Youth Facility
804 East 4th Avenue
P.O. Box 1750,
Nome, AK 99762

For further inquiry, on how to conduct an Alaska inmate search, an interested person may contact

Department of Corrections Anchorage
550 West 7th Avenue. Suite 1800
Anchorage, AK 99501
Tel: (907) 334-2391
Toll-Free: (844) 934-2381

Department of Corrections – Juneau
Juneau, AK 9981-2000
Tel: (907) 465-3390

How Do I Send Money to an Inmate in Alaska Prisons or Jails?

Inmates in Alaska prisons can receive money from family and friends by mail. Personal checks are not allowed. So, money orders or cashier's checks must be properly filled with the inmate's full name and identification number. There is a 10-day hold on money orders and cashier's checks before the funds are deposited in the inmate's account.

Checks are only accepted if they are certified or issued by the State of Alaska, the U.S. Government, Corporate Dividends, refunds from vendors, postal money orders, certified checks, or payroll checks. An inmate may be able to disburse up to $250 to persons on the outside with the approval of the Superintendent.

How to Get Approved to Visit an Inmate in Alaska Prisons and Jails

All prospective visitors to Alaska prisons must be approved to visit, and their names must appear on the inmate's approved visitor list. Generally, to obtain approval, the inmate must mail a visitor's application form to the prospective visitor. Then, the intending visitor must complete the application form, mail it back to the specific facility, and wait for approval.

For approved visitations, an adult accompanying a minor to the facility must present the minor's birth certificate or guardianship paperwork upon arrival for visits. Adult visitors must register their name, relations to the prisoner, address, and present valid photo ID upon arrival.

Note that except with prior approval through security, each visitor may only visit one inmate in a 30-day period unless they have more than one immediate family member in custody. In that case, the visitor may see each inmate's family member on different days within the period. Furthermore, Alaska correctional facilities abide by strict rules and regulations on dress code and expected conduct during visits. Thus, prospective visitors must read the general visitation policy.

Who Can Visit an Alaska Inmate?

Not everyone may be granted access to visit an inmate in an Alaska facility. All visitors must be 18 years of age and older to visit an Alaska Corrections facility. There are many reasons a person may be denied access. One of them is a previous violation of the applicable visiting rules and regulations. Other reasons include:

The prospective visitor had been in the custody of a correctional facility and was only released within 60 days before the intended date of the visit. This does not include persons who are the inmate's family members or persons whose charges were dismissed or have been acquitted. In any case, the Superintendent may pre-approve a visit by persons whose release date falls within the 60-day period mentioned earlier.
Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed to visit.
Persons who are denied visitation because they are considered a security threat and have been determined that their presence may jeopardize the safety and security of the facility.
Visitors who are minors must be accompanied by an immediate family member, an adult who is approved by the Superintendent, or a legal guardian. If they are not the child(ren) of the inmate, then they must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian.

How to Find a County Inmate Roster in Alaska

The names of those who have been arrested and are being held in county jails or who have been detained and released on bond are listed in county inmate rosters. The official county websites of the state's various counties each have a list of their current inmates. County inmate rosters are typically located under the department of corrections portions of these pages, although interested parties can look for them by visiting the official county websites.

How to Perform an Alaska Prison Inmate Search

The Alaska Department of Corrections allows interested persons to perform a free inmate search by name on VINE, a prison lookup tool, and a victims notification service. Interested persons may also call the toll-free number (800) 247-9763 to find a person in prison. For more information, an interested person may contact

The Victim Service Unit
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1800
Anchorage, AK 99501-3570
Tel: (907) 269-7384
Toll-Free (877) 741-0741

How to Perform an Alaska Jail Inmate Search

Alaska police departments generally maintain booking lists and booking lists for persons serving time or held in custody. To conduct an Alaska inmate search, interested persons must contact the local jail administrative staff for information on inmates held at that specific facility. Many police departments also maintain publicly available online databases that anyone can use to find a person in jail or conduct an Alaska jail inmate search. The best place to find the local police department's website is the municipality website.

Alaska State Prisons and County Jails: Understanding the Difference

There are a total of 27 Alaska state prisons and county jails. The largest prison in the state is the Goose Creek Correctional Center, which can hold up to 1,536 inmates. The primary difference between state prisons and county jails is their capacity and the offenses of the inmates kept in them. State prisons hold individuals serving a prescribed sentence, but county jails often serve as short-term housing for offenders who have been arrested in the act of a crime or on suspicion of criminal activity. The Anchorage correctional complex is the second-largest prison, with a capacity of 850 inmates. The average daily population of all state prisons and county jails in Alaska is 2,000 inmates.

Several programs and services are available to inmates in Alaska state prisons and county jails. These include academic and vocational programs, drug and alcohol treatment, faith-based programs, and work release programs. There is also a reentry program for prisoners who are nearing the end of their sentence. This program helps prisoners transition back into society and provides them with resources such as job placement assistance and housing assistance.

How Do I Find Out an Inmate Release Date?

The fastest way is to contact the facility where the inmate is serving time or call (907) 465-3485, especially if the person is in prison for a felony offense. The same applies to persons incarcerated in facilities maintained by local law enforcement; requestors may obtain the desired information by conducting an Alaska jail inmate search and perusing the provided information Either way, inmate records typically contain release dates. Anyone may also call the facility directly to inquire about inmate release dates. However, the record custodian will restrict access to these dates in certain cases, especially if releasing this information exposes the inmate to security risks.

How Do I Find Out Where Someone is Incarcerated in Alaska?

Information on persons serving time in a state prison in Alaska will be available to the public on VINE, the independent inmate lookup tool. Meanwhile, to find out if a person is in a local jail, the requester must first find out the arresting agency or the court where the criminal case was tried. In most cases, this is the law enforcement agency or court in the municipality where the offender lives. Then, the requester may perform an Alaska inmate search on the police department's official website and peruse the site for inmate listings.