Arizona Released Inmate Records
Arizona keeps records on inmates who have been released from state prisons and county jails. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry runs a free online database that covers prison releases from 1985 to now. County jails in Arizona also hold booking and release data, though many have taken their search tools offline after a 2024 court ruling. You can search these records to find release dates, custody status, and basic information about former inmates across Arizona.
Arizona Released Inmate Records Quick Facts
Arizona ADCRR Inmate Database
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry runs the main database for state prison records. This is the best place to start when you need to find information on released inmates in Arizona. The database is free to use. It covers inmates from 1985 to the present day. You can search by name or ADC number at any time.
The ADCRR Inmate Data Search lets you look up both current and former inmates in Arizona state prisons. Search using a last name and first initial, or enter the six-digit ADC number if you have it. You can filter results by gender and status. The status options include Active for those still in custody, Inactive for released inmates, Supervised or Parole for those under community supervision, and Absconder for those who have fled.
Each inmate record in the Arizona database shows key details. You can see the ADC number, mugshot, full name, and physical traits like height, weight, eye color, and hair color. The record also lists the date of admission, estimated release date, and type of release. For those still in custody, you can view the cell address, unit, and complex location. The database does not show dates of birth to help prevent identity theft in Arizona.
Note: Release dates shown in the ADCRR database are estimates and have not been verified by the department.
How to Search Released Inmate Records in Arizona
There are several ways to find released inmate records in Arizona. The method you choose depends on what type of record you need. State prison records come from ADCRR. County jail records come from each county sheriff. City arrest records come from local police departments.
For state prison releases in Arizona, go to the ADCRR Inmate Data Search page first. This page explains how to use the search tool and what limits apply to the data. The search is simple. Enter a name or ADC number. Pick the status you want. Click search. Results show up fast. You can view basic facts about any released inmate in the Arizona state prison system without paying a fee.
The ADCRR website notes that sending inmate data to current inmates counts as contraband under A.R.S. Section 13-2505. This is a Class 5 felony in Arizona. The law also bars inmates from looking up records on other inmates. They can only view a summary of their own file once per year. Keep this in mind if you plan to share what you find in Arizona.
Arizona County Jail Released Inmate Records
County jails in Arizona handle short-term custody. They hold people awaiting trial and those serving sentences under one year. Each of the 15 counties in Arizona runs its own jail. The sheriff in each county manages jail records. Some counties used to post inmate rosters online. That has changed due to a court ruling.
The Houston v. Maricopa County case in 2024 changed how Arizona counties share inmate data online. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that posting mugshots and personal details may violate due process rights. Since then, Pinal County, Mohave County, and Cochise County have taken their online inmate searches offline. Other counties may follow. You can still get released inmate records by phone or in person at these county jails in Arizona.
Maricopa County still runs an online inmate search at the MCSO Inmate Info portal. This covers the Phoenix area and is the largest jail system in Arizona. You can search by name or booking number. The site warns that information should not be used for legal purposes. True identity can only be confirmed through fingerprints. Released inmates may still appear in search results for a time after they leave custody in Maricopa County.
Pima County offers an inmate lookup for current inmates only. Released inmates do not show up in this search. To get records on released inmates from the Pima County jail, you need to file a formal records request. Contact the Jail Records Unit at 520-351-8228 or visit 1270 W. Silverlake Road in Tucson.
Request Arizona Released Inmate Records
When online searches do not give you what you need, file a public records request. Arizona law gives you the right to inspect government records. This includes inmate records held by ADCRR and county jails. The process takes more time than an online search. It may also cost money depending on what you ask for.
ADCRR accepts public records requests through its online request system. You can ask for basic agency records, employee records, or inmate records. Be specific about what you want. ADCRR cannot process requests for "all records" on a topic. Once staff gather your documents, they send an invoice. You pay through the ADCRR payment portal before getting your records.
ADCRR charges fees for record copies in Arizona. Paper records cost $0.50 per page. Electronic records cost $0.10 per page. There is a processing fee of $25 per hour for staff time. Medical records on paper cost $0.50 per page. Electronic medical records have no fee. You must pay the full invoice amount before ADCRR releases any documents.
Note: The ADCRR payment portal is only for records fees. It is not the site for sending money to an inmate account.
Arizona Criminal History Records
The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the Central State Repository for criminal records. Under A.R.S. Section 41-1750, all Arizona criminal justice agencies must report arrest and disposition data to this repository. This creates a central record of criminal history across the state.
Private citizens cannot get criminal background checks from DPS for employment or personal use. The repository is not open for that purpose under Arizona state law. You can review your own criminal record for free. Complete a Record Review Packet and submit it to DPS. They mail back a copy of your Arizona criminal history within 15 days. This is one way to see what released inmate records exist about you in the state system.
The DPS office is at 2222 W. Encanto Blvd in Phoenix. The Criminal History Records Unit phone number is 602-223-2222. Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Fingerprint clearance cards for employees cost $22. Cards for volunteers cost $20. A personal record review has no fee in Arizona.
Arizona VINE Inmate Release Notification
VINE is a free service that alerts you when an inmate is released. It stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. Arizona funds this service statewide. It is the leading victim notification network in the nation. You can sign up to get calls, texts, or emails about an inmate's status change.
The Arizona CVNS program helps victims starting at the 911 call. You can get notified about the date a report is filed, the case number, the name of the detective, arrest notifications, warrant notifications, and initial court appearances. The VINELink website lets you search for inmates and register for alerts. A toll-free phone line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Live operators can help in over 190 languages.
ADCRR also offers victim services through its own office. Under Victim Services, you can fill out a Post-Conviction Notification Request form. This gets you written or phone notice at least 15 days before an inmate's release. You also get same-day phone notice when release happens. If an inmate escapes or gets caught again, you hear about that too. Call 602-542-1853 or toll-free 866-787-7233 to reach ADCRR Victim Services in Arizona.
Arizona Released Inmate Records Laws
Arizona law governs how inmate records are kept and shared. Several statutes apply to released inmate data. These laws set rules for what is public and what stays private. They also create the systems that store criminal history across the state.
A.R.S. Section 39-121 is the Arizona public records law. It says public records in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours. This applies to most government records including inmate data. You have the right to look at these records. You can ask for copies.
A.R.S. Section 39-121.01 adds more detail to the public records law in Arizona. It says any person may request to examine or be furnished copies of any public record during regular office hours. If a custodian fails to respond promptly, access is deemed denied. This lets you challenge slow or missing responses to your records requests.
A.R.S. Section 31-221 covers inmate records held by ADCRR in Arizona. It says prisoner care and custody records are subject to public records law with some limits. The department cannot release records that reveal a confidential informant, endanger someone's life or safety, or harm an ongoing criminal investigation. These are the main exceptions to public access for released inmate records in Arizona.
A.R.S. Section 41-1750 creates the Central State Repository. The DPS is responsible for running this system. It must collect, store, and share complete and accurate Arizona criminal history records. All criminal justice agencies in the state must report arrest and disposition data to this central hub.
Arizona Court Records for Released Inmates
Court records offer more detail than jail databases. The Arizona Judicial Branch runs a public access system that covers 153 of 180 courts in the state. You can look up case information online through the Arizona Courts Case Lookup. This includes criminal cases that led to jail or prison time.
Court records show the full history of a case. You can see the charges filed, the plea entered, the verdict, and the sentence. For released inmates, this tells you why they were in custody and what terms apply to their release. Probation details, restitution orders, and other conditions may appear in the court file. This gives context that inmate databases do not provide.
Each county also has its own clerk of court office. For Maricopa County, contact the Clerk of Superior Court at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. The phone number is 602-37-CLERK. Email PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov for records help. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Other counties have their own contact points for court records on released inmates in Arizona.
Browse Arizona Released Inmate Records by County
Each county in Arizona has its own sheriff who manages jail records. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for released inmate records in that area.
Released Inmate Records in Major Arizona Cities
City police departments keep arrest records separate from county jail data. Pick a city below to learn about released inmate and arrest records in that area of Arizona.