How to Reach Us
We do not use a contact form. Forms get spammed into oblivion. Email us directly and we read and reply to every message. Choose the right address below based on what you need -- it gets your message to the right person faster.
General Questions and Help
Not sure where an inmate is, need help using the site, or have a general question about the prison or jail system.
help@jailguide.comInmate Search Help
Can not find an inmate using our search tool. Include the full name, date of birth, last known location, approximate arrest date and any known charges. The more detail you provide, the better.
makeappointment@jailguide.com What to include when you write →Corrections to Prison or Jail Information
A facility address, phone number, visiting policy or other information on the site is out of date or wrong. Tell us the facility name, what is incorrect, and what the correct information is. A source link is very helpful.
corrections@jailguide.comAdvertising and Partnerships
JailGuide reaches hundreds of thousands of families, attorneys and legal professionals every month. For advertising rates and partnership inquiries contact us here.
advertising@jailguide.comWhat to Include in Your Email
We get hundreds of emails. The ones we can help with fastest are the ones that include the right information upfront. Here is what helps depending on your situation:
If you are trying to find an inmate
- Full legal name of the inmate (first, middle, last)
- Date of birth
- State or country where arrested or last known to be held
- Approximate arrest or sentencing date if known
- Whether this is a county jail, state prison or federal facility
- Any known charges or case number
If you are reporting incorrect information
- The name of the facility or page URL
- What specifically is wrong
- What the correct information is
- A source link if you have one (official facility website, DOC page, court record)
If you have a general prison question
- As much context as you can provide
- Whether this is federal, state or county
- The state or country involved
- Your specific question clearly stated
Many common questions are already answered on our Prison Questions page -- worth checking before you write.
Trying to Contact an Inmate?
We get this question constantlyIf you are trying to reach someone who is currently incarcerated, JailGuide has detailed guides on every method available. Here is where to start:
Sending Mail to an Inmate
How to address a letter to a prisoner, what you can and cannot send, and the rules that vary by facility. Most facilities accept standard first-class mail and some allow cards and photos -- but the rules are strict.
Read the mail guide →Sending Money to an Inmate
How to put money on an inmate's books for commissary. Options include money orders, online services like JPay and Access Corrections, and lobby kiosk cash deposits. Methods vary by facility and state.
Read the money guide →Prison Questions Answered
Our most frequently asked questions about prison and jail life -- what it is like, how visitation works, what inmates can have, and how to cope when someone you care about is incarcerated.
Read the FAQ →Visiting an Inmate
What to expect at a prison visit, how to get approved as a visitor, what you can bring, dress codes, and how visitation works differently at federal, state and county facilities.
Read the visitation guide →Response Times
We aim to reply to all emails within 24 hours on business days. Inmate search requests may take a bit longer depending on the complexity and what records we need to access. We are a small team and every message is read by a real person.
For the fastest help with a missing inmate, please include all of the details listed above in your first email. Incomplete requests take two or three messages to resolve what one detailed email could have handled.
We do not provide legal advice. If you need legal help, you can post a free question to a criminal defense attorney here.