Locating someone who has been arrested or sentenced in Wyoming requires knowing where to look because custody records are split between state prisons and local county facilities. If you need to perform a Wyoming inmate lookup, the state's centralized database only tracks individuals under the jurisdiction of the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC). Anyone recently arrested, held pretrial, or serving a brief misdemeanor sentence in a local holding facility will not show up on the state prison portal.
This guide breaks down the exact steps, official tools, and common roadblocks you'll encounter when tracking down an incarcerated individual across the Equality State.
Using the Wyoming Department of Corrections Offender Locator
For individuals serving felony sentences or currently housed in a state correctional facility, the primary resource is the official Wyoming Offender Locator.
To get reliable results from this database, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the official WDOC search portal.
- Enter the individual's WDOC inmate number if you already have it. An inmate number overrides all other search parameters and yields an exact match instantly.
- If you don't know the ID number, input the inmate's last name (minimum of the first two letters required) alongside their first name.
- Review the results table, which displays basic identifiers like full name, gender, and current custody status.
- Click on an individual record to view specific details, including the assigned correctional facility, sentencing date, total sentence length, and offense descriptions.
Keep in mind that the WDOC database also includes individuals under active probation or parole supervision, meaning an active listing doesn't always guarantee the person is behind bars at a physical prison facility.
Searching County Jails for Recent Arrests and Pretrial Detainees
If the person you're looking for was arrested recently, they are likely held in a local county detention center rather than a state prison. Wyoming does not have a single statewide database for county-level jail inmates, meaning you must check individual sheriff office records.
County facilities maintain their own local logs or active rosters. For example, larger jurisdictions like Laramie County and Natrona County offer digital search tools or updated PDF rosters on their respective sheriff websites. When viewing a PDF roster, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+F to search by the person's last name quickly.
If a county jail does not host an online roster, your best option is to call the facility directly. Ensure you have the individual's full legal name and date of birth ready to give to jail personnel.
Tracking Federal Inmates in Wyoming
Not all prisoners inside state borders fall under local or state jurisdiction. If federal charges were brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Wyoming, the individual will be processed through the federal system.
You cannot find federal inmates using state or county databases. Instead, use the official Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator tool. You can search by the person's first and last name or their unique eight-digit register number.
Setting Up Custody Notifications Through VINELink
If you are tracking an inmate's release status for safety or informational reasons, you can monitor updates without constantly refreshing jail websites. Wyoming participates in the VINELink network (Victim Information and Notification Everyday).
- Search for the offender by name or identification number within the Wyoming database.
- Select the correct record and choose whether you want to receive phone call or email alerts.
- Provide your contact details and create a secure PIN.
- VINELink automatically issues notifications if the inmate is transferred, released, or escapes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People often hit dead ends during an inmate search because of a few typical oversights:
- Searching state databases for recent arrests: If someone was picked up last night, they won't be in the WDOC system yet. Check the local city police department or county detention center first.
- Ignoring alias names: Individuals with hyphenated names, maiden names, or common spelling variations may not show up under a casual search. Always check court case portals if a name search fails.
- Confusing probation status with physical custody: A person listed on the WDOC site might be living in the community under supervision rather than sitting in a cell. Check the detailed institutional placement field within the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find mugshots on the Wyoming Department of Corrections website?
The official WDOC offender locator focuses primarily on legal status, sentencing terms, and facility placement rather than hosting public mugshots. For booking photographs, you are much more likely to find them on county jail rosters or local arrest logs.
How do I send money to an inmate in a Wyoming state prison?
The WDOC partners with approved third-party services like Access Corrections to handle secure financial transfers. You will need the inmate's full name and WDOC number to deposit funds into their commissary account.
What should I do if an inmate's record is completely missing?
If someone isn't showing up on the state database or local jail rosters, they may have already been released, transferred to a federal facility, or their case is still moving through municipal court before formal booking. Checking county court docket search portals can clarify their current judicial status.
Are juvenile records searchable online in Wyoming?
No. Juvenile detention records are strictly confidential under Wyoming law to protect minors and are not accessible through public online inmate locators.
