Massachusetts Jail Roster
The Massachusetts jail roster covers inmates held at county Houses of Correction and state Department of Correction facilities. You can search the jail roster online to find a current inmate, check booking status, or look up charges. Massachusetts runs 14 county jail systems and 16 state prison facilities, each keeping its own records. This guide explains how to find someone in the Massachusetts jail roster and how to get official records from the right office.
Massachusetts Jail Roster Overview
How the Massachusetts Jail Roster System Works
Massachusetts splits its jail roster across two main systems. The state Department of Correction runs 16 facilities for people serving sentences longer than two and a half years. County Sheriff's Offices run 14 Houses of Correction for people in pretrial detention and those serving sentences up to two and a half years. There is no single database that covers all Massachusetts inmates. You have to check the right system based on where the person is held.
City police in Massachusetts do not run jails. When an officer makes an arrest, the person goes to a county facility within hours. Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and every other Massachusetts city has no city jail. All inmates end up at the county House of Correction or a state DOC facility. Searching a city's records alone will not show you someone's current custody status. You must go to the county or state level to find current inmate information.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction maintains the only statewide inmate search tool. That database covers all 16 state facilities and updates daily. For county-held inmates, you must go to each county sheriff's system or call the facility. Some counties offer real-time online search. Others require a phone call to get current information. The gap in coverage is the key thing to know before you start searching.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction website is the best starting point for state-level searches. The DOC is based at 50 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757, phone (508) 422-3300. Their site links to the inmate search tool, facility pages, and public records contacts.
The DOC main page provides direct access to the inmate search database, facility contact information, and public records request forms for anyone looking up state-level Massachusetts jail roster records.
Search the Massachusetts DOC Inmate Database
The DOC Inmate Information Finder is Massachusetts' free online inmate search tool for state facilities. It covers all 16 state prisons and updates daily. Search by first name, last name, or DOC number. The system supports partial name searches. Results show the inmate's full name, DOC number, current facility, commitment date, sentence start date, earliest possible release date, and parole eligibility date. Physical details like height, weight, hair color, and eye color also appear. The committing county is listed as well, which tells you which court handled the original case.
The Inmate Finder is at publicsearch.doc.state.ma.us. No account is needed. The tool is open to the public at any time. If the person you are looking for is in a state prison, this is where you will find them. If they do not appear, they may be at a county House of Correction instead.
For formal records requests from the DOC, contact the Records Access Officer at 50 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757. Email requests go to DOCINFO@mass.gov. Describe the specific records you want and include the inmate's name and DOC number if you have it. The DOC must respond within 10 business days under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10.
County Jail Roster Search Across Massachusetts
Each of the 14 Massachusetts counties runs its own House of Correction under the county sheriff. These facilities hold people waiting for trial and those sentenced to two and a half years or less. Access to each county's jail roster varies. Some sheriff offices have real-time online tools. Others require a phone call.
Counties with online inmate search include Middlesex at middlesheriff.com, Worcester at worcestersheriff.com, Norfolk at norfolksheriff.com, Essex at essexsheriffma.org, Bristol at bcso-ma.us, and Hampden at hcsdma.org. Franklin County accepts email requests at records@fcso-ma.us or by phone at (413) 774-4014.
Counties that require a phone call for current inmate information include Barnstable at (508) 563-4300, Hampshire at (413) 584-5911, Berkshire at (413) 442-5461, Plymouth at (508) 830-6200, Suffolk at (617) 635-1000, Dukes at (508) 627-5171, and Nantucket at (508) 228-7263. Call during business hours and ask for the inmate information desk.
County jail roster records typically show the full name, date of birth, booking date, charges, bail amount, court information, and projected release date. Some counties display mugshots. The Middlesex County system updates in real time and accepts partial name searches. Norfolk County's online tool at norfolksheriff.com searches alias names automatically.
Note: Each county sheriff operates independently. Search options, update frequency, and data fields vary from one county to the next. Always confirm current details by calling the sheriff's office if the online system does not have what you need.
VINELink Inmate Notifications in Massachusetts
VINELink is a national victim notification service. It lets people register for automatic alerts when an inmate's custody status changes, such as when they are released or transferred. The service is free and available by phone, email, or text. In Massachusetts, VINELink participation is very limited. Only the state Department of Correction and Essex County Sheriff's Office are connected. The other 13 county sheriffs do not use the VINE system.
If the person you are tracking is in a state DOC facility or Essex County, register at vinelink.com. VINELink also has a toll-free number at 1-800-468-2846 for those who prefer to register by phone. The Essex County Sheriff's Office is at 20 Manning Avenue, Middleton, MA 01949, phone (978) 750-1900. Essex County's participation in VINE, under M.G.L. c. 258B (Victim Bill of Rights), makes it easier for victims to track inmates held there.
For all other Massachusetts counties, you must call the sheriff's office directly for status updates. No automatic notification system is in place for those facilities. Check each county's page for direct contact numbers.
VINELink is especially useful for Essex County and state DOC inmates, giving families a way to track custody changes without calling the facility each time.
Requesting Massachusetts Jail Roster Records
Massachusetts public records law gives everyone the right to request government records, including jail rosters, booking logs, and inmate lists. Agencies must respond within 10 business days. The first four hours of staff time are free. After that, agencies may charge $25 per hour. Paper copies cost $0.25 per page. Electronic records are often provided free when sent by email.
For state DOC records, send a written request to the Records Access Officer, Massachusetts Department of Correction, 50 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757, or email DOCINFO@mass.gov. Each county sheriff also has a Records Access Officer. Bristol County's RAO is Michael C. Arnold, Esq., at (508) 995-6400. Barnstable County's RAO is Dianne H. Sussman, Esq., at (508) 563-4360 or dsussman@bcsoma.us. Middlesex County's RAO is Megan McLatchey at 781-960-2830. For other counties, call the main sheriff number and ask for the Records Access Officer.
The Massachusetts Public Records portal at mass.gov/public-records has guidance on your rights, how to submit requests, and how to appeal if an agency denies your request.
Criminal History Records and CORI
The jail roster shows who is in custody right now. Criminal history is a different type of record. Massachusetts uses a system called iCORI for official criminal background checks, run by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150, phone (617) 660-4600.
CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. Under M.G.L. c. 6, § 172, the general public can access open CORI for $25 per name search. Open CORI shows adult convictions, pending cases, and incarceration history. It does not show sealed records, juvenile records, or dismissed cases. CORI does not show real-time custody status. For that, use the DOC Inmate Finder or call the county sheriff directly.
The Massachusetts State Police handles fingerprint-based criminal history checks at their Criminal Records Section, 495 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923, phone (978) 784-1655. MassCourts at mass.gov/masscourts lets you look up pending criminal cases and dispositions across all trial courts. It does not show current jail status, but it does show active charges and scheduled hearings.
Parole Board and Release Records in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Parole Board reviews parole eligibility for DOC inmates. The board is at 12 Mercer Road, Natick, MA 01760, phone (508) 650-4500, email ParoleBoard.MassParole@mass.gov. Parole records are separate from the jail roster. When someone is paroled, they leave the DOC inmate system. Contact the Parole Board directly if you need information about someone's parole status or upcoming hearings.
The Parole Board's website at mass.gov has hearing schedules, instructions for submitting victim input, and details on how the parole process works. The sex offender registry is a separate database managed by the Sex Offender Registry Board at mass.gov/sex-offender-registry-board. It covers all registered offenders regardless of current custody status.
The Parole Board site provides access to upcoming hearing schedules and contact details for anyone following a specific case or who wants to participate in the parole process.
Browse the Massachusetts Jail Roster by County
Each Massachusetts county runs its own House of Correction through the county sheriff. Pick a county below to find the local sheriff contact info, inmate search options, and records request details for that area.
Massachusetts Jail Roster by City
Massachusetts cities do not run their own jails. Arrests by city police result in inmates being held at the county sheriff's facility. Pick a city below to find out which county handles jail roster records for that area.