Are New Jersey Inmate Records Public Information?
Yes, New Jersey inmate records are public information per the New Jersey Open Public Record Act. Accordingly, interested members of the public can obtain New Jersey inmate records from corrections departments upon submitting a written or oral request, or they can access online inmate lookup databases maintained by these departments. Some third-party sites may also provide access to New Jersey inmate records and allow inquirers to conduct a New Jersey inmate search. However, certain inmate information (for example, inmate health records) is exempt from public examination under the act. In such cases, only authorized persons can obtain the records.
New Jersey Inmate Search
New Jersey inmate records contain official information on anyone who is in custody in New Jersey's prisons and jails. These records include the personal and administrative information of inmates. Personal inmate records include identifying information such as name, age, sex, mugshot, and number. Jails and prisons also keep information describing inmates’ arrival, stay, and release. These records contain details of each inmate’s offense, security risk, transfer, incarceration, and release.
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 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 New Jersey?
To find someone in jail in New Jersey, an individual should contact the sheriff's office that supervises the inmate. Several sheriff's office websites also feature New Jersey inmate search systems to promote public welfare and safety. These systems can be accessed to determine what jail someone is in the county, an inmate's custody status, offense, sentence length, and more.
How Do I Send Money to an Inmate in New Jersey?
State prisons under the administration of NJDOC no longer receive money orders on behalf of inmates. The state’s Department of Corrections contracts inmate fund transfers to JPay. Persons who wish to fund an inmate’s account must send the money through this payment processor.
The five ways to send money to inmates in New Jersey prisons through JPay are:
- Money order deposits
- Cash deposits at designated locations
- Credit/debit card deposits over the phone
- Credit/debit card deposits at JPay.com
- Fund transfer via JPay mobile apps
When sending a money order to an inmate in a New Jersey state prison, mail it along with a deposit form (Spanish version) to:
JPay
P.O. Box 170770
Hialeah, FL 33017
JPay does not charge a processing fee for funds sent by money order. Cash deposits through JPay are accepted at designated locations found on the JPay website. These locations include CVS pharmacies and Walmart stores. When completing the form, provide the following receive code: 1233.
To send money by phone, call (800) 574-5729 to speak to a live agent. This JPay’s toll-free line is always available. You can also visit JPay to transfer funds via credit/debit cards. This is the fastest way to send money to an inmate in New Jersey. Lastly, friends and family can send money to New Jersey prison inmates via JPay Mobile. This mobile app is available for iPhones and Android smartphones.
New Jersey county jails have separate rules for sending money to inmates in their facilities. Visit the county jail page on the county’s or Sheriff’s Office’s website to find information about funding inmates’ commissary accounts. County jails usually offer multiple options and may use other fund transfer services besides JPay. In most cases, they accept money orders sent by mail and provide kiosks in their lobbies for onsite deposits. They also offer online and phone deposit options through third-party payment processors.
How to Get Approved to Visit an Inmate in New Jersey Prisons and Jails
The NJDOC allows each of its facilities to set its own visitation rules and regulations, including schedules, eligible visitors, and visitation times. To visit an inmate in a New Jersey state prison, first read the facility’s visitation handbook. You can check the prison lookup tool on the New Jersey State Prisons section of the NJDOC’s website.
New Jersey state prisons allow two kinds of visits: contact and window visits. Not all inmates are eligible for one or both of these visits. To see if the inmate you intend to visit is allowed to see visitors, check the prison lookup tool offender visit restriction list. Here, you can find inmates allowed only window visits and those allowed no visits.
Each New Jersey county jail has its own set of rules and regulations for inmate visitation. Visit the corrections section of the county government or Sheriff’s Office website where the jail is situated to find this information.
How to Perform a New Jersey Prison Inmate Search
The NJDOC provides an inmate lookup for locating inmates held in state prisons. New Jersey prison inmate search provides results for currently incarcerated inmates and those released within the last year. Members of the public can also find parolee records using this search tool. New Jersey law also mandates that the NJDOC maintain the records of parolees for a year after the expiration of their mandatory parole supervision dates.
Using the inmate locator tool, you can search for individuals in New Jersey prisons and correctional facilities by name and SBI (state identification) Number. Other available parameters to narrow a New Jersey inmate search include the date of birth, sex, race, eye color, hair color, age, current correctional facility location, and county of commitment. The search result will provide personal and administrative records of inmates and include their photos to make identification easier. While it is not certain that this search will not attract some costs, it may be possible to do a free inmate search by name. The implication of a free search is the unavailability of other vital information that may be needed.
How to Find a County Inmate Roster in New Jersey?
Members of the public can find a county inmate roster on a sheriff's website. Sometimes appearing as an inmate search or lookup database, this roster can be reviewed to find out if someone is in jail. Suppose a county sheriff does not provide an online inmate locator. In that case, an interested person can inquire about an inmate at the sheriff's office.
New Jersey State Prisons and County Jails: Understanding the Difference
New Jersey state prisons and county jails are operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections and the county sheriff's office, respectively. Inmates in these facilities are typically serving sentences of one year or more. However, some inmates may be awaiting trial or sentencing, or they may be serving time for a crime that is not considered serious enough to warrant a prison sentence.
The conditions in New Jersey state prisons and county jails can vary widely. However, some facilities are well-run and provide inmates with adequate food, shelter, and medical care. Inmates in these facilities often have access to adequate education or job training programs.
New Jersey state prisons and county jails are not the only options for incarcerated individuals in the state. There are also federal prisons, which are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and private prisons, which are run by for-profit companies. Inmates in these facilities typically have longer sentences than those in state prisons and county jails.
How Do I Find Out an Inmate Release Date?
Inmate release date is among the information available for public perusal when a person performs a New Jersey inmate search. However, the record custodian may restrict public access to the month and year of release, especially if making the information public puts the inmate at risk. In such cases, only the inmate’s immediate family members, crime victims, attorneys, and authorized government officials may obtain the exact release date. Eligible persons may visit or call the prison administrative staff to find out.
Facilities Operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections
The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) oversees the operations of state prisons. It currently manages 13 correctional facilities, including seven men’s prisons, one women’s prison, three youth correctional facilities, one facility for sex offenders, and a central inmate intake and assignment unit. The NJDOC provides a complete list of New Jersey State Prisons on its website, including their contact information and descriptions.
Besides state-run correctional facilities, New Jersey also has county jails. There are 21 county jails in the state, one for each county. Check the complete list of New Jersey County Jails to find the addresses, websites, wardens’ contact information, and phone numbers of these detention facilities. County jails are operated by County Departments/Divisions of Corrections in New Jersey. These departments are under county governments or their Departments of Public Safety. In a few cases, Sheriff’s Offices/Departments oversee the operations of county jails.
The following are the addresses and contact information of New Jersey state prisons and correctional institutions:
Albert Elias Residential Community Home
188 Lindbergh Road,
Hopewell, NJ 8525
Atlantic Youth Center Harborfields
800 Buffalo Avenue,
Egg Harbor City, NJ 8215
Camden NJ Residential Transitional Program
555 Atlantic Avenue,
Camden, NJ 8103
Campus Program - NJ
508 Lakeland Road (Bldg D-5),
Blackwood, NJ 8012
Costello Prep Residential Community Home - NJ
800 Carranza Road,
Tabernacle, NJ 8008
D.O.V.E.S. Residential Community Home
P.O. Box 479,
Bordentown, NJ 8505
Essex Transitional Program - NJ
461-63 Central Avenue,
Newark, NJ 7107
Female Intake Secure Care Facility - Bordentown
Hayes Building
P.O. Box 367,
Bordentown, NJ 8505
Fresh Start Residential Community Home - NJ
P.O. Box 585,
Farmingdale, NJ 7727
Green Residential Community Home
1311 Sloatsburg Road,
Ringwood, NJ 7456
Juvenile Justice Reception Center - Bordentown
Burlington Street
P.O. Box 679,
Bordentown, NJ 8505
Juvenile Medium Security Facility - Bordentown
Burlington Street
P.O. Box 307,
Bordentown, NJ 8505
NJ DOC - Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center
8 Production Way,
Avenel, NJ 7001
NJ DOC - Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility
Ward Avenue
P.O. Box 500,
Bordentown, NJ 8505
NJ DOC - Bayside State Prison
4293 Route 47,
Leesburg, NJ 8327
NJ DOC - Central Reception and Assignment Facility
Stuyvesant Avenue,
Trenton, NJ 8628
NJ DOC - East Jersey State Prison
Lock Bag R,
Rahway, NJ 7065
NJ DOC - Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women
30 County Road 513
P.O. Box 4004,
Clinton, NJ 8809
NJ DOC - Garden State Youth Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 11401,
Yardville, NJ 8620
NJ DOC - Kintock Bridgeton Substance Abuse-Correctional Treatment/Work Release-Male
4 South Industrial Blvd.,
Bridgeton, NJ 8302
NJ DOC - Kintock North Substance Abuse-Correctional Treatment/Work Release
Building One 50 Fenwick Street,
Newark, NJ 7114
NJ DOC - Mid-State Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 866
Ft. Dix Army Base,
Wrightstown, NJ 8562
NJ DOC - Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility
31 Petticoat Lane,
Annandale, NJ 8801
NJ DOC - New Jersey State Prison
Third & Federal Street,
Trenton, NJ 8625
NJ DOC - Northern State Prison
168 Frontage Road,
Newark, NJ 7114
NJ DOC - South Woods State Prison
215 South Burlington Road,
Bridgeton, NJ 8302
NJ DOC - Southern State Correctional Facility
4295 Route 47
P.O. Box 150,
Delmont, NJ 8314
NJ Training School - Monroe Township
Grace Hill Road
P.O. Box 500,
Monroe Township, NJ 8831
Ocean Residential Community Home
Game Farm Road
P.O. Box 195,
Forked River, NJ 8731
Pinelands Residential Community Home
3016 Route 563,
Chatsworth, NJ 8019
Riverfront State Prison - NJ
P.O. Box 9014,
Camden, NJ 08101-9104
Southern Residential Community Home - NJ
800 A Buffalo Avenue,
Egg Harbor, NJ 8215
The Capital Transition - NJ
1212 Edgewood Avenue,
Trenton, NJ 8618
Voorhees Residential Community Home - NJ
201 Route 513,
Glen Gardner, NJ 8826
Warren Residential Community Home
509 Brass Castle Road,
Oxford, NJ 7863
