New Hampshire Inmate Search

Inmate records allow interested persons to see and obtain information about persons who are incarcerated in any corrections facility in New Hampshire. Generally, the information provided includes the name, date of birth, physical description, charges, sentencing information, maximum release date, and probation status. These records are publicly available under the New Hampshire Right To Know Law.

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 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 Perform a New Hampshire Jail Inmate Search

Each County in New Hampshire has its own corrections department where a requester can learn how to find out if someone is in jail. Any interested person may find a person in jail by contacting the county of interest's Corrections Department by phone, mail, or in person. Information may also be obtained from the official website. For instance, Belknap County NHDOC provides an online inmate search service that allows interested persons with information such as the name, gender, inmate number, and age range of inmates remanded in Belknap. It also allows interested persons to search through the list of inmates booked on the date of search by clicking on the booked today button on the page. Meanwhile, a person can also perform an inmate search at New Hampshire DOC.

How Do I Send Money to an Inmate in New Hampshire Prisons or Jails?

An inmate in any facility under the administration of the NHDOC can receive money by

Mail. Money may only be sent by mail in the form of personal checks or money orders addressed to the inmate with their identification number stated. The name and address of the depositor must also appear on the envelope and the check or money order. There is a 30-day hold on personal checks to ensure the check is cleared before the money is deposited in the inmate's account for use. There is no hold on money orders.
Electronic transfers may be made through ConnectNetwork.
For in-person transactions, visit the publicly accessible kiosks set up at NHDOC correctional institutions to receive money.

Inmates are entitled to a maximum of $1000 in their accounts. An excess on any amount sent that puts the inmate's account above the allowed limit must be returned.

How to Get Approved to Visit an Inmate in New Hampshire Prisons and Jails

The prison lookup tool can help a requester check for an inmate in any of the state prisons. Inmates are entitled to a maximum of 2 visits weekly, except for visits by an official visitor such as their attorney, government official, social worker, or clergy. Only visitors who have submitted an application form have been approved and added to the inmates' visiting list are allowed. Visits are usually on Saturdays and Sundays. An unlimited number of immediate family members are permitted to visit.

Before a person can visit, the inmate must request that they be added to their visiting list. A prospective visitor must:

Completely fill out the information required on the visitor's application form and the criminal record release authorization form with a notarized signature.
Return the completed form to the facility and address it to the inmate for processing.
Wait for approximately three weeks for the completion of the criminal background check and other criteria for approval or denial.
Once approved, it is advisable that the potential visitor confirms the visiting schedule with the facility or check on the NHDOC website for the visiting schedule for different categories of inmates (Inmates are grouped based on their status within each facility, and each category has a different visiting schedule). It is the responsibility of the inmate to inform potential visitors of the time and day to visit.
Request for a copy of the visiting guidelines. The visitor's guide is required to be sent by the inmate to potential visitors once approved on their visiting list.
Visitors must submit a valid photo ID such as a US military ID, a driver's license issued by the US territory, and a non-driver's license ID issued by the US territory. A minor's birth certificate or a photo ID may be required. Persons other than parents and guardians accompanying a minor must present a notarized letter by a person who is responsible for the minor permitting the adult to accompany the minor.

The NHDOC enforces a strict dress code that all visitors must comply with.

Can Anyone Visit an Inmate?

Persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to visit unless they are accompanied by a family member or a guardian who has furnished a notarized Permission for Minor Children to visit an individual Under the Care and Custody of the NHDOC form. The NHDOC follows a special procedure and process to ensure the security and safety of minors visiting an inmate in any facility under their care. Adult potential visitors whose criminal history is evaluated and considered a risk to the corrections institution may be denied access to visit an inmate.

How to Perform a Prison Inmate Search in New Hampshire

A New Hampshire prison inmate search can be carried out on the NHDOC. New Hampshire DOC provides inmate lookup via an online web service. Interested persons with full or partial information, such as the inmate's last name or first name, will be able to view information on all inmates with similar information. The information available would usually include the inmate's name, age, the sentencing court, maximum sentence, facility in which they are being held, date of offense, the earliest possible date for inmate's eligibility for parole, etc. while it may be possible to conduct a free inmate search by name, all other relevant information may not be disclosed. For more information, an inquirer may contact:

New Hampshire Department of Corrections
105 Pleasant Street
P.O. Box 1806
Concord, NH 03302-1806
Phone: (603) 271-5600

New Hampshire State Prisons and County Jails: Understanding the Difference

Incarceration in New Hampshire state prisons and county jails can be a very different experience. The majority of inmates in New Hampshire are held in state prisons, which are typically larger facilities with more inmates and more guards. County jails, on the other hand, are usually smaller and have fewer inmates and guards.

Prisoners in New Hampshire state prisons are typically assigned to one of four security levels: minimum, medium, maximum, or supermax. Minimum security prisoners are those who pose the least risk to public safety, while supermax prisoners pose the greatest risk. Medium and maximum security prisoners are somewhere in between.

Inmates in New Hampshire state prisons are housed in a variety of different buildings, depending on their security level. Minimum-security prisoners are typically housed in dormitories, while maximum-security prisoners are typically housed in cells. Medium security prisoners may be housed in either dormitories or cells, depending on the facility.

Prisoners in New Hampshire county jails are also housed in a variety of different buildings, depending on their security level. Minimum security prisoners are typically held in general population areas, while maximum security prisoners are typically segregated from the general population.

How Do I Find Out an Inmate Release Date?

The inmate search tool provides publicly available information about an inmate's release date. Follow these steps to find out an inmate release date:

Find the inmate's name by entering it into the search bars or click "Search All" to find inmates without selecting a name.
Find the inmate's offender number by entering it into the search bar.
Click "Clear Search" to search for an inmate without selecting an offender number.

Note that inmate release dates are often restricted, especially when making the information public, which puts the inmate at risk. In such cases, only the inmate's immediate family members, the crime victims, attorneys, and authorized criminal justice agency officials.

Facilities Operated by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections (NHDOC) is the agency with overall supervisory responsibility for all the correctional facilities in the state, including:

NH State Prison for Men, Concord
Corrections Transitional Work Center and North End Transitional Housing Unit, Concord
Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit, Concord
NH Correctional Facility for Women, Concord
Calumet House Transitional Housing Unit, Manchester
Northern NH Correctional Facility, Berlin

The NHDOC also supervises persons on probation and parole through its Field of Services Division, which monitors persons who are currently not in the custody of a corrections facility. The Correctional Industries Division provides a wide variety of services and showcases inmates' work to customers, which include government, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Other divisions of the NHDOC are:

Administration
Adult Parole Board
Commissioner's Office
Victim's Services
Division of Community Corrections/Transitional Housing
Bureau of Programs
Public Information Office
Forensic and Medical services