What Are New Mexico Inmate Records?

Inmate records are files that detail the apprehension and sentence of offenders detained in correctional facilities across New Mexico. The New Mexico Corrections Department(NMCD) generates and maintains records of inmates housed in state prisons, detention centers, and county/city jails. As the state repository for inmate records, the NMCD provides members of the public with access to inmate records upon request.

Under the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), interested persons may obtain records of inmates under the jurisdiction of the NMCD. Typically, inmate records in New Mexico contain the following information:

• First and last names, including known aliases
• Offender NMCD ID number
• Date of birth 
• Demographics, including weight, height, hair color, eye color, complexion, ethnicity, religion, education, and race
• Mugshot
• Sex 
• Sentence term
• Charge description
• Offender Status
• Facility location
• Current and past Offense(s)
• Release date

New Mexico inmate records may be viewed and obtained at the appropriate state or county repository. Records on offenders in county jails across New Mexico may be obtained at the county sheriff’s office in the county of conviction. The NMCD also has an online platform where interested persons may retrieve information on inmates in the state.

How To Find An Inmate In New Mexico?

The New Mexico Corrections Department(NMCD) maintains an online offender search portal. On the search portal, the general public may search to view information on inmates in prisons and other correctional facilities. More importantly, the portal provides information on the present location and status of the inmates. To search the portal, provide any or all of this information, if available:

• Offender Last Name
• Offender First Name (Optional)
• Offender Number
• NMCD Number

A user may either search with the last name or the NMCD number of the offender. Usually, a number search provides a more precise search result, as these numbers are unique to the inmates. However, where the inmate’s ID number is unknown, the requestor may search with the inmate’s last name.

Also, for a name-based search where the offender’s exact last name is unknown, fill in the first few letters of the offender’s last name. Here, the search function will provide search results of offenders with similar names, allowing the user to select a name from the list to view more details. For example, if the user searches with the keyword “Cha” the search results will provide information on offenders with similar names such as “Chadwick” and “Charles.”

The New Mexico Corrections Department(NMCD) does not have jurisdiction over county or city jails. Hence, persons interested in information on inmates in the county jail may contact the sheriff or jail administrator in the county where the offender was sentenced. The New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association website provides a list of New Mexico County Sheriffs’ contact details in the state.

Generally, highly populated counties like Bernalillo and Dona Ana maintain online databases where interested persons may view information on the county’s inmates. For most counties, the online databases are available on the county sheriff’s websites. 

How To Find A Federal Inmate In New Mexico?

To find a federal inmate in New Mexico, use the inmate locator provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons(BOP). The portal provides access to information on offenders detained under the jurisdiction of the BOP facility from 1982 to date. However, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides access to information on federal inmate records on offenders incarcerated between 1870 and 1981.

Interested persons may query the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for federal inmate records before 1982 by making the following information available:

• Inmate’s name, including middle name or initials
• Race
• Approximate dates in prison
• Date of birth or approximate age at the time of imprisonment 

For inmate records under the Federal Bureau of Prisons(BOP) jurisdiction, use the inmate locator to view information on federal offenders from 1982. The BOP website provides two options for persons seeking to locate federal inmates. These include: 

• Name search 
• Number search

Name Search

Provide the inmate’s first, middle, and last names, as well as the inmate’s race, age, and sex. Ensure to fill in accurate information when searching as this may affect the correctness of the search results.

Number Search

Select an ID number type and provide the ID number of the federal inmate of interest, which could be any of the following numbers:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) number
• Department of Corrections (DCDC) number
• Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) number
• Bureau of Prisons (BOP) register number

Searching with an inmate’s ID number provides an accurate search result as the portal filters information on only the inmate whose number was inputted into the locator.

How Do I Find Inmate Records In New Mexico?

For New Mexico inmate records, request the New Mexico Corrections Department(NMCD) Offender Management Services headed by the Bureau Chief - Records. The NMCDOffender Management maintains official records of inmates incarcerated in New Mexico prison facilities. Interested persons may contact the Bureau Chief—Records at (505) 383–2804 to request an inmate’s records. Persons requesting inmate records may be required to pay a nominal fee, especially when making copies.

Also, requests may be made at:

4337 Nm 14, 

Santa Fe NM 87508

PO. Box 27116, 

Santa Fe NM 87502–0116 

The NMCD provides an online offender search portal where interested persons may view information on inmates in New Mexico prisons and other correctional facilities. 

For county inmate records, contact the sheriff or jail administrator in the county where the offender was sentenced. For example, requestors may access inmate records in the Santa Fe County Jail by contacting the county sheriff at:

35 Camino Justicia, Santa Fe, 

NM 87508, United States

Phone: +1 505–986–2400

The New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association website provides a list of New Mexico County Sheriffs’ contact details in the state.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides in or was accused in

Third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

How To Put Money On Jail Inmates Book In New Mexico?

The New Mexico Corrections Department(NMCD) permits family, friends, and other interested persons to send money to inmates in custody, through money orders. Address a money order with the name and ID number of the inmate and deliver it to the facility where the inmate is detained. Find a list of the NMCD Prison Facilities and their locations at the NMCD website.

For inmates in county jails, contact the county sheriff or refer to the county sheriff’s website to get details on how to send money to inmates. The New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association website provides a list of New Mexico County Sheriffs’ contact details in the state. However, in most counties, payment can be made at the kiosk provided in the jail lobby, through money orders, or third-party vendors such as JPay and Western Union.