Difference Between Indiana Prison and Federal Prison
What is the Difference Between Federal Prison and Indiana State Prison?
State and federal prisons hold persons charged with or convicted of criminal offenses. While state prison holds persons convicted of violating state crimes, federal prisons hold federal inmates - those convicted of violating federal crimes. State crimes are different from federal crimes, and often warrant different penalties. Examples of state crimes include kidnapping, murder, larceny, burglary, and trespassing.
In Indiana, the Criminal Law and Procedure statutes provide definitions for criminal offenses in the state. Typically state prisons hold persons sentenced to more than one (1) year in prison. Offenses on federal property or across state boundaries are federal crimes. Federal offenses include white-collar crimes like money laundering, public corruption, and mortgage fraud. Other examples of federal crime include drug trafficking, interstate commerce violations, piracy, and treason. The Federal Criminal code offers offense definitions and applicable penalties. Apart from convicted persons, state and federal prisons may also hold persons awaiting trial.
State prisons typically hold more inmates than federal prisons, and therefore, there are more state prisons than federal prisons in Indiana. Also, federal inmates tend to spend more extended incarceration periods than state inmates. State prisons and correctional facilities are under state agencies such as the Indiana Department of Correction, while the Federal Bureau of Prisons oversees and manages federal prisons and correctional facilities. Federal and state prisons have different security levels, depending on the inmate's offense and the security the inmate poses to other inmates and to society. Also, federal and state prison systems offer online tools that allow interested parties to search for inmate records and locations.
The Indiana Prison System
The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) oversees the prison system and operates prisons. Indiana state prisons hold persons sentenced to more than one (1) year in prison, typically felony offenders. The IDOC supervises about 27,400 inmates in correctional facilities in the state, including juvenile inmates. The IDOC also employs about 6,000 full-time staff. There are 34 correctional facilities in Indiana, including 18 adult correctional facilities, three (3) juvenile correctional facilities, and 13 work release centers.
IDOC offers needs-based programs to inmates, including substance abuse treatment programs, parenting programs, apprenticeship programs, and specialized training programs, including culinary arts and organic gardening. The Indiana Department of Correction also comprises the Diversity and Development division, a unit that works to improve inclusion and equity to create a safe work environment for all. Adult correctional facilities in Indiana include:
Branchville Correctional Facility
21390 Old State Road 37
Branchville, IN 47514
Phone: (812) 843-5921
Edinburgh Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 470, 23rd & Schoolhouse Road
Edinburgh, IN 46124
(812) 526-8434
Indiana Women's Prison
2596 Girls School Road
Indianapolis, IN 46214
(317) 244-3387
New Castle Correctional Facility
1000 Van Nuys Road, P.O. Box E
New Castle, IN 47362
(765) 593-0111
Putnamville Correctional Facility
1946 West U.S. Hwy 40
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 653-8441
South Bend Community Re-entry Center
4650 Old Cleveland Road
South Bend IN, 46628
(574) 234-4094
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 500
6908 S. Old US Hwy 41
Carlisle, IN 47838
(812) 398-5050
Reception Diagnostic Center
737 Moon Road
Plainfield, IN 46168
(317) 839-7727
Pendleton
4490 W. Reformatory Rd.
Pendleton, IN 46064-9001
(765) 778-2107
Madison Correctional Facility
800 MSH Bus Stop Drive
Madison, IN 47250
(812) 265-6154
Indiana State Prison
1 Park Row
Michigan City IN 46360
(219) 874-7258
Chain O'Lakes Correctional Facility
3516 E 75 South
Albion, IN 46701
(260) 636-3114
Correctional Industrial Facility
5124 W. Reformatory Road
Pendleton, IN 46064
(765) 778-8011
Heritage Trail Correctional Facility
501 W. Main Street
Plainfield, Indiana 46168
(317) 839-7751
Miami Correctional Facility
3038 West 850 South
Bunker Hill, IN 46914-9810
(765) 689-8920
Plainfield Correctional Facility
727 Moon Road
Plainfield, IN 46168
(317) 839-2513
Rockville Correctional Facility
811 W. 50 N.
Rockville, IN 47872
(765) 569-3178
Westville Correctional Facility
5501 South 1100 West
Westville, IN 46391
(219) 785-2511
How to Lookup Inmates in Indiana
IDOC offers an offender search tool; interested parties may find an inmate or obtain an inmate's incarceration records through the tool. Requesting parties may search the IDOC's inmate database using the inmate's first and last names and numbers. Adding inmate numbers to the search criteria helps narrow down search results, as more than one person may have the same name in the system.
IDOC also offers a way for inmates' friends, relatives, and other interested parties to send inmates money. Interested persons may send money by mail, online, over the phone, or in-person at retail locations and self-service kiosks. Interested parties may also make trust fund deposits by mail. Interested parties must apply for visiting inmates, and visits must be during visiting hours; because hours differ between facilities, interested parties may contact the facility where the offender is incarcerated for information about visiting hours.
Indiana inmate records may also be obtained by querying the jail facility where the inmate of interest is being held.
Indiana County Jails
County jails hold persons incarcerated for short periods or persons convicted of misdemeanors. In Indiana, misdemeanors are punishable by up to one (1) year imprisonment. County jails also hold persons who are awaiting trial. When compared to state prisons, county jails are smaller, as the incarceration facilities are designed to hold a small number of people for a short time. Indiana has up to 92 county jails. Unlike IDOC-run state prisons, local government agencies, such as county sheriffs, or local police stations oversee the running of county jails. Some counties provide online inmate rosters and inmate search tools; interested persons may obtain incarceration information and inmate location from the available tools.
How Does the Federal Prison System Work?
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) oversees the federal prison system in the United States. There are two (2) federal prisons and one (1) federal prison camp in Indiana. Generally, there are more state prisons than federal prisons, as most crimes fall under the state's jurisdiction.
There are about 140 federal prisons in the US, and about 15,174 federal inmates. BOP offers programs to incarcerated persons and persons under house arrest or community supervision.
They include, education programs, mental health programs, substance abuse treatment programs, sexual abuse prevention, religious programs, work programs, and re-entry programs.
Interested parties may search inmate records and locations using the BOP's Inmate Locator Tool. Requesting parties may search the tool using the inmate's identification number or names. A name search is straightforward; search criteria include the offender's first, middle, and last names and age, race, and gender. The search criteria include BOP number, FBI number, INS number, and DCDC number.
