Fairfield County Inmate Search
In Connecticut, arrests become necessary when an individual is suspected of committing either a felony, which carries a sentence of more than a year in jail, or a misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of no more than a year in prison. In order to make an arrest, the police must have a probable cause and an arrest warrant issued by a magistrate. According to the evidence the police have at the time, probable cause indicates that it is more likely than not that a crime has occurred and the suspect is the one who committed it. A person who has been arrested will go through an arraignment and be given the opportunity to plead not guilty, no contest, or guilty. If the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, a pretrial hearing, a potential motion hearing, and either a plea hearing or a trial will follow. There will also be a sentencing hearing if the defendant is convicted after a trial or enters a guilty plea at a plea hearing. A defendant may be given an incarceration sentence by the court, which may send them to a local jail or a state prison for a short or long time, depending on the charge and the circumstances of the case. Fairfield County has 11 jails and prisons, which are managed by the Department of Correction, which is in charge of both the prisons used to house sentenced offenders in all counties and the pre-trial detention facilities.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Fairfield County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
The Crime Analysis Unit of the Connecticut Division of State Police reported that 45 people were arrested in Fairfield in 2021. About 39 of them were adults, and 6 were juveniles. As of January 2023, about 9,991 people were incarcerated in state prisons, some of which were from Fairfield County.
Fairfield Prison System
The Connecticut Department of Corrections, is in charge of overseeing the operations of all correctional facilities in the state, including those at Fairfield County. The following correctional facilities are located at Fairfield county
- Bridgeport City Jail
- Bridgeport Correctional Center: With a housing capacity of 971, this correctional facility had an average population of 593 inmates in March 2023, and 598 inmates in February, 2023, leaving the confined inmate population at 5.9%.
- Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center: With a housing capacity to hold up to 198 inmates,
- Danbury City Jail: This jail houses both pretrial and sentenced inmates
- Fci Danbury
- Garner Correctional Institution: This institution possesses the capacity of housing up to 593 inmates
- Norwalk City Jail
- Shelton City Jail
- Stratford City Jail
- Trumbull City Jail
- Westport City Jail
https://www.jud.ct.gov/directory/directory/directions/juvenile/bridgeport.htm
How to Find an Inmate in Fairfield County
To locate a person in custody in Fairfield County, interested parties can use the Offender Information Search tool available on the Connecticut Department of Correction (CT DOC) website. With the following steps, an individual can look up inmate records using the search tool:
- Visit the Connecticut Department of Correction official website.
- On the dialogue box at the left, select Inmate Search.
- On the "Offender Information Search" page, fill the search fields by inserting the inmate’s last name, first name, birth date, or CT DOC inmate number
- Click the "Search all Inmates'' option
The search will return comprehensive data on an inmate’s present location, sentence, bail status, and date of release. More information about an inmate can be retrieved by clicking on their name.
Alternatively, requesters can find inmates in Fairfield County by visiting the jail where they are imprisoned. The name or booking number of the inmate will be required to facilitate the search.
How Does a Fairfield County Inmate Search Work?
According to Sec. 1- 210 of the Chapter 14 Freedom of Information Act, all records maintained or kept on file by any public agency, whether or not such records are required by any law, rule, or regulation, shall be considered public records, unless otherwise provided by any federal law or state statute. Everyone shall have the right to promptly inspect such records during regular office or business hours, copy such records, or receive a copy of such records. However, some records like medical history, arrest records of a juvenile, social security numbers, and other sensitive data are exempted from public disclosure. Information that can be obtained upon performing an inmate search in Fairfield County include:
- Inmate’s first and last name
- Inmate number
- Date of birth
- Bond amount
- Mugshot
- Status
- Controlling offense
- Current location
- Latest admission date
- Sentencing date
- Maximum sentences
- Maximum release dates,
- Estimated release date
- Special parole end date
- Detainer
- Correctional History
- Disciplinary History
Where to Find a Fairfield County Inmate Locator
A Fairfield County inmate locator can be found on the Connecticut Department of Correction website. The search criteria are by inmate’s number, last name, first name, or birth date.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) also has an Inmate locator that can be used to find Fairfield County inmates housed in federal prisons. A search can be conducted by name or number. The search result typically reveals the inmate’s first and last name, sex, age, race, register number, and release date.
Third-party websites may offer inmate search services to individuals who possess the name and location of the inmate they are looking for. Data obtained from these websites may differ from what can be found in government-run websites as they are independent.
How to Send Money to a Fairfield County Inmate
Individuals can send money to a Fairfield County inmate via the Inmate Trust Fund (ITF) the CT DOC provides. The ITF accepts funds through the following methods:
- Deposit made in person: An individual can use a self-serve kiosk that accepts cash, debit, or credit cards in the lobby or have jail staff process the inmate account payment. Visitors from friends and family can also make deposits at any MoneyGram outlet, including any CVS or Walmart. An individual may use the receive code 1222. A fee may apply for the deposit, which can be paid with cash or a debit Western Union also offers walk-in cash payments by contacting an agent via the phone or internet.
- Making a deposit online: Correctional facilities frequently use companies like Western Union, amongst others to handle all online deposits to an inmate's account. An individual can use a debit or credit card at each of these businesses, but there are fees associated with sending the money there.
- Transfer money over the phone: An can phone-deposit money into a Connecticut prisoner's trust fund account by dialing JPAY at (800) 574-5729 or Touchpay at (866) 232-1899, and Western Union at (800) 634-3522. For a fee, these internet companies that offer deposit services will accept deposits made by debit or credit card over the phone. It will be necessary to have the inmate's full legal name and offender (inmate ID).
- U.S. Mail: Given that there is a low cost involved, this is the most affordable way to transfer money to an inmate. This is done with a certified or cashier's check, or a money order from the USPS, payable to the inmate's name and identification number. However, this method takes more time than other methods and is suitable for individuals who live very far away from the correctional facility. It may also be done using a reputable bank, western union or the US post office.
How to Visit a Fairfield County Inmate
An individual who desires to visit a correctional facility in Fairfield county is required to fill the visiting application form which will be mailed to the individual beforehand by the inmate. This form is obtained from the inmate's counselor after a list containing the name and address of potential visitors has been submitted by the inmate to the counselor. The visiting application information and any other information the unit administrator deems important must be verified. To confirm information on criminal histories, a warrant search and rap sheet check must be done. There might be a need for a personal interview with the guest applicant. Before visiting, all guests, including minors, must be included on the approved visitor list. Afterwards, visitors are required to confirm the visiting schedule in order and to make sure that the inmate they intend to visit has not lost his or her visiting privileges, visitors are also recommended to get in touch with the facility prior to their visitation. Facilities have different visiting times. State-observed holidays do not allow for visits. Visits are scheduled to last 30 minutes.
Over-16 visitors must present a legitimate photo ID, such as a driver's license, military ID, or passport. Anybody under the age of 16 who is visiting an inmate must bring a birth certificate and be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also on the offender's visiting list. To visit, one must sign up 15 minutes beforehand, and visitors are only allowed to carry one car key, little cash for the vending machines, and their ID. In contrast to non-contact visits, which are limited to two guests at a time, contact visits permit the convict to receive up to three visitors at once, including kids. Once on the institution's property, vehicles may also be checked. Inside the facilities, cell phones and other electronic gadgets are not allowed. All visitors will be searched and made to pass through a metal detector. Every non-contact visit must be documented. If visitors want their visit to an inmate in Connecticut to go successfully, they must adhere to the dress code. The visit could be canceled if somebody does not follow the dress code rules. The on-duty guards' decision as to whether or not to enforce these rules is final. Outfits prohibited from being worn by visitors include:
- Clothing that closely resembles staff or inmates uniform
- Items that cover the face i.e hats
- Career uniforms
- Clothing that exposes excessive skin
- Tight, sheer or see-through clothing
Video visits are accepted and may be carried out by individuals who are in the approved visitors' list and possess a valid photo ID. Adults who are not authorized and who have not gotten prior approval are not permitted to take part in video visits. Visitors must be able to use a smartphone, laptop, or tablet with video and audio to access Microsoft Teams.
Individuals seeking more information on how to visit an inmate download the Inmate Visit pdf file available on the Connecticut Department of Correction website.
How to Send Jail Mail in Fairfield County
Mail can be sent to inmates housed in a Fairfield County jail by friends, relatives, and members of the general public. However, the correctional facility's inmate mail regulations must be followed for all mail. Mail that doesn't adhere to the established guidelines will be sent back. The sender may be charged with a crime if the mail's contents are prohibited. Items that can be sent to a Fairfield County inmate via mail include:
- Letters: Except for their victims, other convicts, or inmates who have just been released from prison, inmates detained in Connecticut are permitted to receive letters from and send letters to anyone. There is no restriction on the number of letters an inmate may send or receive, but they must all be postage-paid by the offender.
- Printed Materials: Books, periodicals, magazines, and newspapers may also be sent to an inmate in Fairfield County as long as they are directly acquired through a bookstore, book club, or publisher. All books must be paperback, brand-new, and purchased from Amazon alone; no third parties or resellers using Amazon are permitted. No books or periodicals provided may include explicit material, maps, or any other materials that might compromise the facility's safety or security.
- CDs and Tapes: The CDs and tapes that are supplied to prisoners must be of an educational or religious nature which cannot be purchased at the commissary. These must be sent directly by the distributor and may be requested by the prisoner or a third party. Incoming CDs are subject to review, much like books or magazines.
- Photos: Inmates can also receive 4"x6" photos. The pictures should not be Polaroid or instant pictures. Moreover, the pictures must not have tattoos, hand/gang symbols, or sexually explicit or suggestive stuff in them.
According to Administrative Directive 6.10 Inmate Property, every piece of arriving property will be inspected and may be rejected. An individual who wishes to send a mail to an inmate may format the mail in the following order:
Name of Offender,
ID Number,
Facility,
P.O. Box, or Street Address
Zip code, City, and State.
Fairfield Jails and Prisons
The following are the names, addresses, and contact information of all the jail facilities, prisons, and detention centers in Fairfield County.
Bridgeport Correctional Center
1106 North Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: (475) 225-8000
Fax: (475) 225-8050
Juvenile Detention Center
60 Housatonic Avenue, Bridgeport 06604
Fax: (203) 579-6055
Control Unit Tel: (203) 579-6548
Garner Correctional Institution
50 Nunnawauk Road
Newtown, CT 06470
Phone: (203) 270-2800
Fax: (203) 270-1826
Bridgeport City Jail
300 Congress Street Bridgeport,
CT 06604
Phone: (203) 581-5100, (203) 581-5111
Danbury City Jail
375 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 797-4644
Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center
790 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: (203) 579-6548
Fci Danbury
Connecticut 37
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 743-6471
Norwalk City Jail
1 Monroe Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Phone: (203) 854-3000
Shelton City Jail
85 Wheeler Street
Shelton, CT 06484
Phone: (203) 924-1544
Stratford City Jail
900 Longbrook Avenue
Stratford, CT 06614
Phone: (203) 385-4100
Trumbull City Jail
158 Edison Road
Trumbull, CT 06611
Phone: (203) 261-3665
Westport City Jail
50 Jesup Road
Westport, CT 06880
Phone: (203) 341-6000
