If you’re looking for an inmate in Harris County – or you’re trying to determine whether someone you know has been arrested and/or charged with a crime in the Houston area – searching is relatively simple. 

In Harris County, all you need is the person’s name and access to a phone or the internet.

It’s important to note that you should never be asked to pay for this information. There are several websites that will search for you for a fee. These are not run by the county, and there is no need to pay for this information.

Harris County Jail Inmate Lookup

An online search in Harris County may be less simple than some other cities, simply because of the number of inmates housed in the county and outsourced to other locations. However, it should still be relatively easy to find someone.

Online

The Harris County Sheriff’s Department maintains a database of arrest records. You can access it at https://www.harriscountyso.org.

You will need the following information:

• System Person Number (This is an eight-digit number that identifies a person in the Harris County jail system)
• Social Security Number
• Last Name only (at least two characters; this only works if the last name is relatively uncommon).
• Last name and first Name
• Last name and date of birth

The information will appear like this:

By Phone

You can also call the Houston Help Line at 713-837-0311 to confirm that someone is being held at the Joint Processing Center at 700 North San Jacinto Street.

In Person

You can also visit the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at its primary location at 1200 Baker Street in Houston. This office is open 24/7. However, it’s a large facility with more than 4,000 employees and you may have to wait. 

State Jails in Harris County

If someone is not listed in the Harris County database, it’s possible that they’re being held in state jail. 

There are two state jail facilities in Harris County: Joe Kegans State Jail and Pam Lychner State Jail. Both are operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), which maintains its own database at https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/.

You can also call the inmate search phone line at (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283.

What is VINELINK in Texas?

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is a service that allows crime victims and the general public to access information about the custody status of offenders in jail or prison. It will also notify you of any changes in the inmate’s status, including:

• Release
• Transfer
• Escape

The VINE system can be accessed via the VINELINK mobile app, which you can download for iPhone (iOs) and Android.

• Online at https://www.vinelink.com.
• By phone at (877) 894-8463

If you’re struggling to find an inmate in Harris County, we can help. Contact us to set up a free consultation.

Harris County Jail Facilities

Harris County Jail Facility

700 N. San Jacinto 

Houston, TX 77002

Joe Kegan State Jail

707 Top St.

Houston, TX 77002

(713) 224-6584

Pam Lychner State Jail

2350 Atascocita Road

Humble, TX 77396

(281) 454-5036

Harris County’s jail is often at capacity, so it also outsources inmates to other jurisdictions, including a few outside Texas. Currently, more than 1,500 inmates are being housed outside Harris County, typically at one of the following locations:

Newton County Correctional Facility

2402 East Court St

Newton, TX 75966

(409) 379-3000

LaSalle Correction Center

15976 Hwy. 165

Olla, LA 71465

(318) 495-6200

West Carroll Detention Center

180 Capital Bank Dr

Epps, LA 71237

(318) 926-4626