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Inmate Search in Wisconsin

Searching for offenders online has become easier over the last few years. Thirty-three states have joined in an alliance to provide a free search for offenders within their jurisdiction through websites designed for use by the public. Each state maintains its own independent website and provides the services that they consider necessary to online searching. Variations exist in the design of the site, the search criteria, and the information presented for public viewing. State laws determine some of the parameters for this.

It is important to note that a particular website may not work properly with certain browsers. In fact, the web pages may partially load onto your computer screen, but integral parts may be missing. In particular, browsers that do not allow pop ups may encounter a problem. If you encounter this difficulty, you may want to consider using a computer at a public library to complete your searches. In some cases, you won’t be able to tell because the missing information is minimal. In other cases, you will be able to visit most of the sections on the website except for the actual inmate information.

Some databases will contain information only on inmates who are currently incarcerated, paroled, or on probation within that state. Other sites also include inmates who are deceased, escaped, released, or no longer resident in the correctional system.

To acquire access to the database for inmates in the state of Wisconsin, use the following link: http://www.vinelink.com/offender/searchNew.jsp?siteID=50001.

This directs you to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections webpage for its offender search. At the top left of the page, you will see the heading “VineLink.” To the right of that, a toll free number, 800-398-2403, is provided for contact. On the left hand side of the page, the following links for information are provided: home, search for offender by name, search for offender by ID, and FAQ. At the bottom of the page is a warning that the information is for personal use only and that it may not be used for any other purpose.

In the center of the page, the “Search for Offender” box is located. Search boxes are available for the following: last name, first name, date of birth, or age range. Only the first and last names are required information. The search will return results that include any variation of the first name. For example, if you enter John, then you will receive results on John, Johnny, and Johnnie. Moreover, if you enter only the first few letters of the first name, then you will receive results that include all name variations that use those first few letters.

Once you have entered your data and selected to search, your results will be generated. At the top of the results information, a statement informs you of the number of results that were generated, along with the notice that names in italics are aliases and not the offender’s real name.

The results are presented in a grid like chart that includes the following headings: register, last name, first name, date of birth, custody status, facility/reason, and agency. The column beneath the heading “register” will include a live link labeled “detail” for each inmate listed.

If you click on this link, it generates a new page. Unfortunately, very little information is presented that is different from the initial results. The only new information that you will receive is the inmate’s ID number, race, and sex. Photographs are not available on this particular inmate website.

When you are finished viewing the information on this inmate, you can select your browser’s back button to return to the list of inmates returned with your initial search. If you prefer to conduct a new search, select the search for offender link located on the left hand side of the page.

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