Lake County Inmate Search
A Lake County inmate search is a method of inquiry that provides the public with details of inmate records, including personal information, the location of incarceration, and the offense committed by the inmate, within the county. The state of Indiana allows the public to perform a lookup of Lake County inmates’ information, in keeping with the Access to Public Records Act (APRA).
The County Sheriff’s Department maintains inmate records in the county and members of the public can have access to these records by simply contacting the office through phone or online.
In order to improve public safety, coordinate local juvenile justice systems, and prevent non-violent offenders from being imprisoned at the state level, the state and local governments of Indiana created a platform called Community Corrections in Lake County. This platform ensures the creation and operation of local intermediate sanction programs and advisory boards. This institution gives the public access to inmate records.
The Indiana Department of Corrections also maintains records on public offenders, particularly those involved in serious crimes, and the public can access some of this data via the department's website.
Lake County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
According to the arrest data provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, in the year 2022, a total of 121 arrests were made for different offenses ranging from drug abuse violations (35), weapons possession (28), simple assault (25), DUI (9), disorderly conduct (7), and other minor offenses.
The report also shows that there were more male arrests than female arrests with totals of 104 and 17 respectively.
The 2021 report said that 654 arrests were made; a difference of 137.548% indicates that there was a significant decrease in offenses.
Lake County Prison System
The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) is in charge of managing the state's prison system. However, because it deals mainly with pre-trial prisoners and people serving lesser terms, Lake County Community Corrections, which is a division under the County Sheriff’s Department, maintains one detention facility instead of state prisons. This department is in charge of running this jail. There are two major inmate-holding facilities maintained by the corrections division namely:
- The 1,085-inmate jail, which is overseen by 170 merit correction officers who work for the Corrections Division. The jail also looks after the convicts' medical requirements and keeps up a medical ward. When the courts mandate it, correctional officials can also transport prisoners to and from outside medical facilities, the courts, and DOC facilities.
- The Corrections Division maintains the Sheriff’s Work Release Center, which can accommodate up to 100 male and female prisoners who have been granted permission by the courts to continue working during their sentences. After being given the go-ahead to start working, they return to the center. There are 25 Custody Officers working at the Center.
How to Find an Inmate in Lake County
In order to obtain inmate information, one can first contact the County Sheriff's Department at (219) 755-3421 (Jail Records & Pretrial), the Community Corrections Department at (219) 755-3850, or utilize the Indiana Department of Corrections' (IDOC) online inmate search tool. The inmate's last name, or both names, and the DOC number, if known, are included in the search criteria; removing this step would streamline the procedure. To obtain information about incarcerated individuals, inquirers may also go to third-party websites; however, caution is advised, as the accuracy of this data cannot be guaranteed.
How Does a Lake County Inmate Search Work?
The public may seek access to public records or copies if needed under the Lake County Access to Public Records Act (APRA). All of a city or county agency's public documents, including written works, reports, maps, audio recordings, and photos, are covered by APRA. People are free to request to see or copy these materials at any time, provided that they are not secret or otherwise prohibited from being disclosed by law. The Lake County detention center maintains a jail roster with details about its inmates, such as the following:
- Booking number also known as DOC number.
- Booking date.
- First name and Last name.
- Date of Birth.
- Criminal charges.
- Housing Location.
- Release date.
- Arresting agency.
- Court Date.
- Bail/Bond amount.
Where to Find a Lake County Inmate Locator
The Lake County Department of Community Corrections has an official website that provides the public with inmate information and this might be a good place to start for inquirers seeking such data within the county.
The official Department of Corrections website provides access to the Lake County Inmate Locator, and this search tool makes it possible to carry out a statewide search. Nevertheless, in order to utilize this locator, one needs to be looking for a prisoner housed in the state jail system, and one needs to have the prisoner's last and first name or DOC number as further search parameters.
In the meantime, let us imagine that a prisoner is housed in a Lake County facility under the jurisdiction of the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which is responsible for overseeing the federal prison system. In that scenario, the person looking for information can use the agency's Inmate Locator to look up an inmate's address or charge details, using their BOP number, or name and other identifying information, including their age, race and sex.
Using third-party websites is an additional choice for anyone looking to seek for a convict in Lake County. This choice should only be made very carefully though, as there may be concerns about the veracity of the information obtained.
How to Send Jail Mail in Lake County
The Lake County Jail permits detainees to receive correspondence from friends, relatives, or legal representatives; therefore, the following format should be used when sending correspondence to an inmate:
Inmate's Full Name
Lake County Jail
2293 N. Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307-1854
It should be noted that the Lake County Jail has policies regarding the handling of mail. Interested parties can learn more about these policies by visiting the Department of Community Corrections' official website.
Lake County Jails and Prisons
The Lake County Jail's name, address, and phone number are as follows:
Lake County Jail
2293 N. Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307-1854
Phone: (219) 755-3850
Fax: (219) 755-3871
