Texas Department of Corrections Inmate Search: Current, Former & Historical Records
The Texas Department of Corrections was renamed the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1989. This is the complete guide to finding currently incarcerated inmates, former inmates with previous TDC/TDCJ numbers, and historical convict records dating back to 1849.
⚡ Quick Answer: Texas Department of Corrections No Longer Exists
The “Texas Department of Corrections” (TDC) was merged into the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in 1989 under House Bill 2335. The old TDC prison operations became the TDCJ Institutional Division. To search for currently incarcerated Texas state inmates, use the official TDCJ Offender Search. For historical records (1849–1981), use the Texas State Library and Archives Commission or the National Archives.
Last verified against official TDCJ, TSLAC & NARA sources: April 2026
📋 What This Guide Covers
- TDC to TDCJ: The 1989 Name Change Explained
- Searching Currently Incarcerated Inmates
- Former Inmate Search (Previous TDCJ Numbers)
- Historical Records: 1849 to 1981
- TDC Number vs TDCJ Number vs SID
- Formal Records Request Procedure
- County Jail vs State Prison vs Federal
- Timeline of Texas Prison Agencies
- Huntsville Headquarters & Archives
- Finding Deceased Former Inmates
- Verified Phone Numbers & Addresses
- Frequently Asked Questions
TDC to TDCJ: The Name Change Most People Don’t Know About
If you searched for “Texas Department of Corrections” and ended up here, you’re not alone. Hundreds of people search for this phrase every month, but the agency itself hasn’t existed under that name since 1989. Understanding which agency you actually need is the first step.
During the 71st Texas Legislative Session, House Bill 2335 merged three separate state agencies into a single new department. The result was the creation of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and its governing Texas Board of Criminal Justice.
The Succession
Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) 1957–1989 · prison operations onlyThe three agencies merged in 1989 were the Texas Department of Corrections, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Texas Adult Probation Commission. The old TDC became the TDCJ Institutional Division and still manages the physical housing of state inmates today.
How to Search Currently Incarcerated Texas State Inmates
For any inmate currently housed in a Texas state prison, state jail, or contracted private facility, the only authoritative source is the official TDCJ Offender Search. This is free and open to the public.
The portal is hosted at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch and is maintained by TDCJ Classification Department in Huntsville. It updates on business days only, and the information is at least 24 hours old.
Step-by-Step: Run the Search
Go to the official portal
Open inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/start.action. Any “free Texas Department of Corrections lookup” site you find on Google pulls from this same database — often with a delay and sometimes with outdated records.
Enter your search input
Use at minimum the inmate’s Last Name + First Initial. If you have the 7-digit TDCJ Number or 8-digit SID, use that for an exact match.
Use the asterisk for partial matches
If spelling is uncertain — common with Hispanic surnames, hyphenated names, or names that were anglicized at booking — add an asterisk. Example: Garc* matches Garcia, Garcias, Garceau, etc.
Open View Details
The detail page shows current unit, custody level (G1–G5), offense, sentence length, parole eligibility date, projected release date, and parole review voting history.
Subscribe to notifications
Optional: register for free automatic email alerts on transfer, release, escape, or death. Use the Subscribe link on the detail page or go directly to VINE at vinelink.com.
Former Inmate Search: Previous TDCJ Numbers Portal
The main TDCJ search only returns currently incarcerated inmates. If your person has been released, paroled, or transferred out, they vanish from the live database. This is where most families get stuck.
TDCJ runs a separate, lesser-known search tool specifically for previous TDCJ numbers. This is useful when:
- The inmate was released or paroled
- The inmate returned to prison under a new TDCJ number after a reconviction
- You have a very old TDCJ number that appears to no longer work
- You’re researching a family member who has since passed away
- You’re trying to confirm an employment background or discharge date
Access the official tool at ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/offender-search-2/. This is the authoritative source on the TDCJ Customer Self-Service (IVSS) system.
Historical Inmate Records: 1849 to 1981
Texas has been keeping convict records since 1849, when the Second Texas Legislature passed the “Act to Establish a State Penitentiary” and the first inmates arrived at the Huntsville Penitentiary. For 170+ years of records, three different institutions hold the data.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC)
TSLAC holds the original paper convict ledgers from 1849 to 1976 — roughly 29 ledgers spanning 1849–1954 plus 10 ledgers covering 1849–1970. These ledgers record the inmate’s full commitment history including name, physical description, birthplace, education, marital status, reading ability, sentence, expiration date, habits, and remarks.
Texas State Library & Archives Commission
Address: 1201 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Mailing: P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711-2927
Phone: (512) 463-5455
Website: tsl.texas.gov
Digital Archive (TDCJ records): Texas Digital Archive TDCJ Collection
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
For records 1870 to 1981, NARA maintains a dedicated Texas prison collection. This is especially useful for genealogical research, Civil War-era and Reconstruction-era records, and verifying ancestors who served time in the early Texas Prison System or early TDC.
- Time period: 1870–1981
- Access: written research request required
- Website: archives.gov/research
- Fort Worth regional branch holds Texas state records: archives.gov/fort-worth
TDCJ Executive Services (Modern Post-1982 Records)
For formal records on any former Texas inmate from 1982 onward — including released, paroled, deceased, or transferred inmates no longer in the online database — a written request to TDCJ Executive Services is required.
TDCJ Executive Services
Address: TDCJ—Executive Services, P.O. Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
Phone: (936) 437-6144
Fax: (936) 437-2125
Email: exec.services@tdcj.texas.gov
Which Archive Do You Need?
Time Period | Agency Name Then | Where Records Live Now |
|---|---|---|
1849–1957 | Texas State Penitentiary / Texas Prison System | TSLAC ledgers + NARA (1870 onward) |
1957–1989 | Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) | TSLAC (1849–1976) + NARA (through 1981) + TDCJ Executive Services |
1982–1989 | TDC (late era) | TDCJ IVSS database + Executive Services |
1989–present | Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) | TDCJ online search + Executive Services |
TDC Number vs TDCJ Number vs SID: What the Numbers Mean
Old paperwork referring to a “TDC Number” is not the same as a modern TDCJ number — but they’re related. Here’s how the ID numbering has evolved.
Number Type | Length | Era | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
TDC Number | Up to 6 digits | 1957–1989 | Issued by Texas Department of Corrections at intake |
Early TDCJ Number | 6–7 digits | 1989 onward | Continued sequential numbering after 1989 merger |
Modern TDCJ Number | 7 digits | Current | Issued at state diagnostic unit intake |
SID Number | 8 digits | All modern eras | Issued by Texas DPS at first fingerprint-based arrest |
FBI Number | Variable | All modern eras | Federal criminal history ID (not TDCJ) |
Old TDC numbers from the 1957–1989 era were generally carried forward into TDCJ. If you have a TDC number from a family record, try it as-is on the Previous TDCJ Numbers portal. If nothing returns, the record predates digitization and you’ll need TSLAC.
How to File a Formal Records Request for a Former Inmate
When the online portals don’t return what you need, the path forward is a written Public Information Act request through TDCJ. This covers everything from a sentence discharge letter to a complete commitment file.
Identify the correct office
Current classification records go to TDCJ Classification (classify@tdcj.texas.gov). General archives go to Executive Services. Private facility records are handled by the Private Facility Contract Monitoring/Oversight Division.
Write your request letter
Include the inmate’s full legal name at time of incarceration, any known ID numbers (TDC/TDCJ/SID), approximate dates of incarceration, the facility if known, and exactly what record you’re seeking.
Submit by mail, fax, or email
Mail: TDCJ—Executive Services, P.O. Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342-0099. Fax: (936) 437-2125. Email: exec.services@tdcj.texas.gov.
Expect a response under Texas PIA
Under the Texas Public Information Act, the agency has 10 business days to respond. They will either produce the record, cite an exception, or request Attorney General clarification.
Follow up if no response
If 10 business days pass without a response, file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division at texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government.
County Jail vs State Prison vs Federal: Where Is Your Person Actually Held?
One of the biggest reasons a TDCJ search fails is that the person isn’t in state prison at all. Texas has three separate incarceration systems, each with its own search tool.
System | Who It Holds | Search Tool |
|---|---|---|
County Jail (254 counties) | Pre-trial defendants, misdemeanor sentences under 1 year, TDCJ transfers awaiting chain bus | Individual county sheriff websites |
TDCJ (State) | Convicted state felons serving sentences, state jail, private contract | |
Federal BOP | Federal crimes convicted in US District Court | |
ICE Detention | Immigration detainees awaiting hearing or removal |
Complete Timeline of Texas Prison Agency Names
Texas has restructured its prison oversight multiple times in 175 years. If you have old records, knowing which agency existed when helps you find the right archive.
Act to Establish a State Penitentiary
Second Texas Legislature creates the first three-member Board of Directors for state prisons.
Huntsville Penitentiary opens
First convicts received. Start of the unbroken chain of Texas prison records.
Rusk Penitentiary opens
Second state facility begins receiving convicts in January.
Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) created
Texas Legislature renames the state prison agency from “Texas Prison System” to TDC.
Ruiz v. Estelle filed
Landmark federal lawsuit that eventually forced TDC reforms on overcrowding and conditions.
TDCJ replaces TDC
House Bill 2335 merges TDC, Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Texas Adult Probation Commission into the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDC becomes the TDCJ Institutional Division.
Institutional Division renamed
The former TDC (by then the TDCJ Institutional Division) is renamed the Correctional Institutions Division.
Digital mail rollout
All TDCJ units transition to digital mail scanning at the Dallas processing center.
TDCJ Headquarters, Huntsville & Archives Locations
TDCJ Administrative Headquarters — Huntsville
TDCJ’s primary administrative headquarters is in Huntsville, which has been the heart of the Texas prison system since 1849. The Brad Livingston Administrative Headquarters houses executive offices, classification, and most records.
TDCJ Austin Offices
Legislative, board, and parole functions operate from Austin at the Price Daniel Sr. Building, 209 W. 14th St.
Texas State Library & Archives (TSLAC) — Austin
Paper ledgers from 1849–1976, Board of Corrections minutes 1881–2021, and pre-digital convict records are housed at TSLAC in Austin.
Finding Records of Deceased Former Inmates
Deceased former inmates present a particular challenge because they’re removed from the live TDCJ database. There are specific routes depending on the time period and what you need.
Inmates Deceased During Incarceration
TDCJ publishes an annual statistical report of inmate deaths, and the Texas Justice Initiative maintains a public Custodial Deaths Database. For genealogy on an ancestor who died in a Texas prison, combine these sources with TSLAC ledger entries.
Paroled or Released, Later Deceased
Once an inmate is released from TDCJ, they disappear from the live search even if they later die. Track down death records through:
- Texas Vital Statistics — death certificates, dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics
- Social Security Death Index — free via FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com
- Find a Grave — findagrave.com for burial location
- Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Reports — required public filings since 1983
Historical Inmate Deaths (Pre-1982)
For deaths before 1982, the primary resources are TSLAC convict ledgers, NARA archives, county death records from the county where the inmate died, and prison cemetery records. Many TDC-era inmates with no claimable body were buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery (Peckerwood Hill) in Huntsville, the official Texas prison cemetery.
Verified Phone Numbers, Addresses & Email Contacts
Email inmate classification questions
Non-criminal complaints about units
Key Mailing Addresses
Purpose | Address |
|---|---|
Inmate personal mail (2026 digital) | TDCJ, Inmate Name + 7-digit TDCJ #, PO Box 660400, Dallas, TX 75266-0400 |
Executive Services / records requests | TDCJ Executive Services, PO Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342-0099 |
Inmate Trust Fund deposits | Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 60, Huntsville, TX 77342-0060 |
Trust Fund ACH forms | Inmate Trust Fund, PO Box 629, Huntsville, TX 77342-0629 |
Board of Pardons & Paroles | TX Board of Pardons and Paroles, PO Box 13401, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711-3401 |
Texas State Archives | TSLAC, PO Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711-2927 |
Official Resource Directory
Currently incarcerated Texas state inmates only.
inmate.tdcj.texas.gov →Former inmates and old TDC/TDCJ numbers.
ivss.tdcj.texas.gov →Full agency site with all divisions.
tdcj.texas.gov →Historical ledgers 1849–1976 and board minutes.
Texas Digital Archive →Federal archive holds 1870–1981 records.
archives.gov →Complete historical narrative from 1848.
TSHA Handbook →All state prisons with address, phone, contact.
Unit Directory →Parole review, voting codes, support letters.
BPP Home →Send money and commissary to state inmates.
eCommDirect →Free automatic alerts on status changes.
VINELink →For federal inmates, not state.
BOP Locator →Agency review reports and organizational history.
Sunset Report →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Texas Department of Corrections the same as TDCJ?
No, but they are directly connected. The Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) existed from 1957 to 1989. In 1989, House Bill 2335 merged TDC with the Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Texas Adult Probation Commission to create the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The old TDC prison operations became the TDCJ Institutional Division, later renamed the Correctional Institutions Division. If you need current records, use the TDCJ online search at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov.
When did the Texas Department of Corrections change its name?
The name officially changed on September 1, 1989, when House Bill 2335 from the 71st Texas Legislative Session took effect. The bill merged three separate agencies into the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Anyone referring to “TDC” or “Texas Department of Corrections” in modern correspondence is using a pre-1989 name for the agency.
How do I search for a current Texas state inmate?
Use the official TDCJ Offender Search at inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/start.action. Enter the inmate’s last name plus first initial, or their 7-digit TDCJ number, or their 8-digit SID number. The database updates on business days only and information is at least 24 hours old. Only currently incarcerated state inmates appear in the results.
Can I search for a former or released Texas inmate?
Yes, through the separate Previous TDCJ Numbers portal at ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/offender-search-2/. This tool searches the IVSS Customer Self-Service system for records dating back to 1982. For anything before 1982, contact the Texas State Library & Archives Commission or the National Archives.
Where can I find pre-1982 Texas prison records?
Two main sources. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) holds paper convict ledgers from 1849 to 1976, with digitized portions available through the Texas Digital Archive. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) holds records from 1870 to 1981. For genealogical research, these are the primary sources. Contact TSLAC at (512) 463-5455 or visit tsl.texas.gov.
What is a TDC number and does it still work in TDCJ?
A TDC number is an inmate ID issued by the Texas Department of Corrections between 1957 and 1989. When TDC became TDCJ in 1989, most TDC numbers were carried forward into the TDCJ system. If you have an old TDC number, try it first on the Previous TDCJ Numbers portal at ivss.tdcj.texas.gov/offender-search-2. If it returns no results, the record is likely archived at TSLAC or NARA and requires a written research request.
How do I request official records for a former Texas inmate?
Submit a written Public Information Act request to TDCJ Executive Services at PO Box 99, Huntsville, TX 77342-0099, or by email to exec.services@tdcj.texas.gov, or by fax to (936) 437-2125. Include the inmate’s full legal name at incarceration, any known ID numbers, approximate dates, and the specific record you need. TDCJ has 10 business days to respond under Texas PIA.
Why can’t I find my loved one in the Texas Department of Corrections search?
There is no current “Texas Department of Corrections” — it became TDCJ in 1989. If the current TDCJ search returns nothing, possible reasons include: (1) the inmate is still in county jail awaiting transport, (2) they are in federal custody rather than state, (3) they have been released or paroled, (4) the name spelling doesn’t match their commitment paperwork, or (5) they are deceased. Try the Previous TDCJ Numbers portal first, then call (936) 295-6371 for verification.
What’s the difference between TDC number and SID number?
A TDC/TDCJ number is issued by the state prison agency at intake to a diagnostic unit. A SID (State Identification) number is issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety when fingerprints are taken at a state-level arrest — often before any conviction. Every TDCJ inmate has both. For communications with TDCJ — deposits, mail, visitation, phone registration — you need the 7-digit TDCJ number. The 8-digit SID is a backup for search when the TDCJ number isn’t known.
Are Texas prison records public information?
Yes, most incarceration records are public under the Texas Public Information Act. Name, offense, sentence, current location, custody level, projected release date, and parole status are all public for current inmates. Some information — medical records, victim information, security details, and records specifically sealed by statute — is confidential. For historical records held at TSLAC and NARA, public access is broader because archives preserve records for research purposes.
How do I find an inmate who died in Texas prison?
For modern deaths, check the TDCJ statistical reports and the Texas Justice Initiative custodial deaths database. The Texas Attorney General’s Office maintains required custodial death reports dating to 1983. For historical deaths (pre-1982), consult TSLAC convict ledgers, NARA archives, and county death records. Many unclaimed inmates were buried at the Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery (Peckerwood Hill) in Huntsville — the official Texas prison cemetery.
Where is TDCJ headquartered?
TDCJ maintains two primary headquarters. The Brad Livingston Administrative Headquarters in Huntsville houses classification, executive, and records functions — Huntsville has been the heart of the Texas prison system since 1849. The Price Daniel Sr. Building in Austin at 209 W. 14th St. houses legislative, board, and parole functions. TDCJ operates roughly 100 state prison units across Texas.
Can I look up Texas county jail inmates through TDCJ?
No. TDCJ only houses state-convicted felons and state jail inmates. Pre-trial defendants, misdemeanor sentences under one year, and anyone awaiting state prison transport are in county jail and must be searched through that county’s sheriff office website. Texas has 254 counties, each with its own separate inmate search system and database.
What happened to the Texas Adult Probation Commission?
The Texas Adult Probation Commission was merged into TDCJ in 1989 alongside the Texas Department of Corrections. It is now the TDCJ Community Justice Assistance Division (CJAD) and funds and provides oversight of “community supervision” — the modern Texas legal term that replaced “adult probation” in 1989. CJAD has its central office at the Price Daniel Sr. Building in Austin.
Who runs the Texas prison system today?
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is governed by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice — nine members appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation to six-year overlapping terms. The board appoints the Executive Director, who runs day-to-day operations. TDCJ is subject to the Texas Sunset Act, meaning the agency’s operations are periodically reviewed by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.
Is the Texas Department of Corrections website still active?
There is no separate Texas Department of Corrections website because the agency no longer exists under that name. The successor agency’s website is tdcj.texas.gov. Any site currently using “Texas Department of Corrections” branding as if it were a current state agency is either a third-party informational site (like this one) or outdated. For all official business — searches, deposits, visitation, records — use the TDCJ main website.
How far back do online Texas prison records go?
The TDCJ online database contains records from approximately 1982 onward. This covers the last years of TDC and all of the TDCJ era. Pre-1982 records exist only in paper archives at the Texas State Library & Archives Commission (1849–1976) and the National Archives (1870–1981). Some historical records have been digitized and are searchable through the Texas Digital Archive, but not comprehensively.
What’s the Institutional Division of TDCJ?
The TDCJ Institutional Division was the direct successor to the old Texas Department of Corrections in 1989 — responsible for the physical operation of state prison units. In 2009, the Institutional Division was renamed the Correctional Institutions Division (CID). If you see old paperwork referring to the “Institutional Division,” this is the modern CID which operates most TDCJ state prisons.
Last Updated: April 2026 · Next Scheduled Review: July 2026