Phoenix Released Inmates Database
Phoenix released inmates and arrest records are managed by the Phoenix Police Department Public Records Unit. As Arizona's largest city and the county seat of Maricopa County, Phoenix handles a high volume of arrests each year. People looking for booking details, incident reports, or clearance letters must go through the police records office. The city maintains its own arrest data while the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office handles the actual jail custody records. This means you may need to contact both agencies when searching for complete released inmate information in Phoenix. The police department offers both online and in-person options for getting these records.
Phoenix Released Inmate Quick Facts
Phoenix Police Records for Released Inmates
The Phoenix Police Department keeps arrest and incident records separate from the county jail system. When someone is arrested in Phoenix, the police create a report. That person then goes to a Maricopa County jail for booking. The arrest record stays with Phoenix PD. The jail record goes to the sheriff. You need to know which one you want before you start your search for released inmates in Phoenix.
The Phoenix Police Public Record and Services Unit is at 1717 E Grant St, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85034. This is where you go for incident reports, arrest records, and letters of clearance. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can call them at 602-534-1127 or email policepublicrecords@phoenix.gov to ask questions before you make a trip. The Phoenix Police public records page explains the process and has links to submit requests online.
The online portal makes it easier to submit requests from home. You do not have to go in person for most records. Fill out the form, pay the fee, and they mail or email the records to you. Response times vary based on what you ask for.
Phoenix Released Inmate Record Fees
Getting released inmate records from Phoenix Police costs money. The fees are set by the city and apply to all public records requests. Some items are cheap. Others cost more depending on the work involved.
Incident reports cost $0.24 per page. This is the basic document that describes what happened during an arrest or police call. Traffic crash reports are also $0.24 per page. If you need body camera footage from an arrest, that costs $4.00 per video. 911 recordings are $16.50 each. Calls for service records have no charge, which is helpful if you just need basic info about when police responded to a location in Phoenix.
Letters of clearance have two price levels in Phoenix. If you have no arrest record, the letter costs $8.50 and takes about 7 business days. If you do have an arrest record, the fee jumps to $28.00 and processing takes 6 to 8 weeks. This is because staff must pull and review your file before issuing the letter. Phoenix residents often need these letters for jobs, licenses, or immigration matters.
Note: Fees must be paid before records are released, and prices may change so check the current fee schedule on the Phoenix Police website.
Phoenix Arrest Record FAQs
The Phoenix Police Department posts answers to common questions about getting arrest and released inmate records. This saves time for people who do not know where to start. The FAQ page covers topics like fees, processing times, and what documents you can request.
One key point from the Phoenix Police records FAQ page is that letters of clearance take much longer when you have an arrest history. The 6 to 8 week timeline for records with arrests is something to plan for if you need the letter by a deadline. Starting early helps avoid problems. The FAQ also explains that different types of records have different fees, and some requests take longer than others to fill.
Common questions involve how to find out if someone was arrested, how to get a copy of an arrest report, and what the city charges for copies. The Phoenix Police FAQ page addresses these. It also covers how victims can get free copies under Arizona law.
Additional Phoenix Records Services
Beyond standard arrest reports, Phoenix Police offer other services that relate to released inmates and criminal records. These include fingerprinting, background checks, and special request handling for media or attorneys.
The Phoenix Police other services page lists what else the department provides. This includes help for people who need records for legal proceedings, employers checking on job applicants, and individuals reviewing their own criminal history. The portal ties into a larger public safety system that handles various record types for Phoenix residents.
If you need something not covered by the standard request form, contact the records unit directly. They can tell you if the record exists and how to get it. Staff handle unusual requests on a case by case basis.
Phoenix Jail Records from Maricopa County
Phoenix does not run its own jail. All arrests in Phoenix lead to booking at a Maricopa County jail facility. The Sheriff's Office manages five jails in the Phoenix metro area. This is where you find actual custody records, release dates, and booking photos for released inmates from Phoenix.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office still offers an online inmate search. You can look up current and recently released inmates by name or booking number. The system shows who is in custody now and who has been released in the past few months. Unlike some Arizona counties that disabled their searches after the Houston ruling, Maricopa County keeps this tool public. For Phoenix arrests, check both the Phoenix Police records for the arrest report and the MCSO system for jail booking data.
The Intake, Transfer and Release facility at 2670 S. 28th Drive in Phoenix handles all bookings and releases. Family members waiting for someone to get out go there. You can call the Sheriff's Inmate Management System at 602-876-0322 any time to ask about custody status or release information for someone arrested in Phoenix.
Note: Immigration holds and holds from other agencies can delay release even after bond is paid on a Phoenix arrest.
Arizona State Records for Phoenix Released Inmates
Some people arrested in Phoenix end up serving time in state prison. State prison records are separate from city arrest records and county jail records. The Arizona Department of Corrections runs a database covering state prison releases from 1985 to present.
The ADCRR Inmate Data Search lets you look up anyone who was incarcerated in an Arizona state prison. You can search by name or ADC number. Filter by status to find inactive inmates who have been released. The database shows mugshots, physical descriptions, admission dates, and estimated release dates. It does not show dates of birth to help prevent identity theft. If a Phoenix resident went to state prison and then came back to the area after release, this database is where you find that record.
For public records requests from ADCRR, paper copies cost $0.50 per page and electronic copies cost $0.10 per page. There is a $25 per hour processing fee for complex requests. The ADCRR public access number is 602-542-5886. Their office is at 701 E. Jefferson St. in Phoenix. You can also use the ADCRR payment portal to pay for records after receiving an invoice.
Legal Access to Phoenix Released Inmate Records
Arizona public records law gives you the right to access government records including arrest and released inmate information. The law is found in Title 39 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Phoenix Police and Maricopa County Sheriff must follow these rules when you make a request.
Under A.R.S. Section 39-121, public records must be open for inspection during office hours. This means you can go to the Phoenix Police records unit and view records in person if you prefer. If the custodian fails to respond promptly, your access is deemed denied under A.R.S. Section 39-121.01 and you can take legal action.
There are limits on what records you can get. Juvenile records are sealed. Some investigations are confidential while active. Victim information may be redacted. But basic arrest records and released inmate data are generally public in Phoenix and across Arizona. The law protects your right to access this information.
Phoenix Victim Notification for Released Inmates
If you are a crime victim in Phoenix, you can sign up for alerts when the offender is released from custody. Arizona funds the VINE system statewide. It covers both county jails and state prisons. You get a call, text, or email when custody status changes.
Go to VINELink to search for an inmate and register for notifications. The service is free. When someone arrested in Phoenix gets released from Maricopa County jail, VINE notifies you right away. A toll-free phone line is available 24 hours a day with live operators who can help in over 190 languages.
ADCRR Victim Services is another resource for Phoenix residents. They provide notification when state prison inmates are released. The phone number is 602-542-1853 or toll-free 866-787-7233. You can email VictimServices@azcorrections.gov to ask about notification options. Under Arizona law, victims have the right to be told 15 days before an inmate is released from state custody.
Released Inmate Records in Nearby Cities
Phoenix is surrounded by other large cities in the metro area. Each city has its own police department that handles local arrests. All of them book inmates into Maricopa County jails. If you cannot find the record you need in Phoenix, the person may have been arrested in a neighboring city.
Mesa is east of Phoenix with a population over 500,000. Their Criminal Justice Information Division handles police records. Call 480-644-2310 for information. Chandler is southeast of Phoenix. Their records unit phone is 480-782-4001. Scottsdale is to the northeast. Their records line is 480-312-1999 but they have a long backlog for body camera footage.
Other nearby cities with separate police records include:
- Glendale - West of Phoenix, records at 623-930-3000
- Gilbert - Southeast Phoenix area, records at 480-635-7020
- Tempe - East of Phoenix near ASU, records at 480-350-8588
- Peoria - Northwest Phoenix area, records at 623-773-7098
- Surprise - Far northwest metro, call 623-222-4000
Each city charges its own fees and has its own processing times. Contact the specific police department where the arrest occurred to get those records.