Dauphin County Released Inmates
Dauphin County released inmate records are maintained by the Dauphin County Prison in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is both the county seat and the state capital of Pennsylvania, making Dauphin County a central hub for criminal justice activity. The prison's Records Department handles booking data, custody history, and inmate lookup requests. This guide explains how to search Dauphin County released inmate records through the county's online tools, how to request records formally, and which state resources are available to the public across Pennsylvania.
Dauphin County Quick Facts
Dauphin County Prison Booking Records
Dauphin County Prison is located at 501 Mall Road in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg serves as both the Dauphin County seat and the capital of Pennsylvania. The prison's main phone number is (717) 780-6800, and the facility can also be contacted by email at DCPrisonBoard@dauphincounty.gov. The prison operates under the mission to "professionally and proudly serve to improve our community of staff, inmates and the public." Core values include professionalism, transparency, compassion, excellence, and pride.
The Records Department at Dauphin County Prison handles all requests related to released inmate records and booking history. Records staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the 501 Mall Road address in Harrisburg. The department processes requests for proof of incarceration, booking records, and related inmate information. For questions about specific records, contact the Records Department directly during business hours.
The official Dauphin County Prison website at dauphincounty.gov/government/support-services/prison provides facility details, program information, and links to the online inmate lookup tool. The prison board email DCPrisonBoard@dauphincounty.gov can handle general correspondence about policy and administrative matters in Dauphin County.
| Facility |
Dauphin County Prison 501 Mall Road Harrisburg, PA 17111 Phone: (717) 780-6800 Email: DCPrisonBoard@dauphincounty.gov |
|---|---|
| Records Dept. | Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | dauphincounty.gov/government/support-services/prison |
Note: Dauphin County's location in the state capital means the prison occasionally receives inmates tied to statewide cases. Verify which facility holds an individual before submitting a request for released inmate records.
Dauphin County Inmate Lookup Tool
Dauphin County provides a free online inmate lookup tool through its official government website. The tool at dauphincounty.gov/government/support-services/prison/inmate-lookup lets you search for current and recently released inmates by name. The search returns basic booking and custody information for individuals held at Dauphin County Prison.
The Dauphin County inmate lookup covers only people held at the county prison. It does not include individuals serving sentences at Pennsylvania state correctional institutions. For state prisoners, use the PA DOC Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov. That tool is free, updated daily, and searches all state facilities across Pennsylvania. Checking both tools ensures you cover all possible custody locations for someone connected to Dauphin County.
For more detailed records than the online tool provides, you can contact the Records Department at (717) 780-6800 or visit in person at 501 Mall Road during business hours. The Criminal History Record Information Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121 et seq., limits what personal data can be disclosed from released inmate records in Pennsylvania, including those from Dauphin County. Some booking details may be withheld under CHRIA even from public records requests.
Right-to-Know Requests in Dauphin County
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101-67.3104 (Act 3 of 2008), applies to Dauphin County records including inmate data held by the prison. Any person can submit a Right-to-Know request for publicly accessible records. The agency must respond within five business days. They may approve the request, deny it with a written explanation, or invoke a 30-day extension for complex requests.
RTK requests for Dauphin County Prison records should be submitted in writing to the facility's Open Records Officer at 501 Mall Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Copy fees are $0.25 per page under the RTKL. Electronic records may be provided at a lower or no cost in some cases. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov, which can be reached at 717-346-9903. Use the standard RTK request form at openrecords.pa.gov/RTKL/StandardRTKForm.cfm to ensure your request is properly formatted for Dauphin County.
Records that have been expunged under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122 or sealed under the Clean Slate Act of 2018 (Act 56) are exempt from public disclosure. Dauphin County Prison must apply these protections when it responds to RTK requests about released inmates. If you believe records were improperly withheld, the OOR can review your appeal and issue a binding determination.
PA SAVIN in Dauphin County
PA SAVIN is a free statewide service that lets victims and the public track custody changes for offenders held in Dauphin County or across Pennsylvania. The system runs 24 hours a day, every day of the week. You can search for an offender's current custody status or register to receive automatic alerts when that person is released, transferred, or newly booked at a Dauphin County facility.
Alerts are available by phone, email, or text message. To search or register, visit pavictimhelp.org or call 1-866-972-7284. Basic searches are anonymous and do not require an account. Victims who want ongoing alerts can register confidentially. Because Dauphin County is in the state capital area, PA SAVIN is especially useful for tracking individuals who may move between county and state custody in Harrisburg and the surrounding region.
Note: PA SAVIN covers county jails participating in the system as well as all state prisons in Pennsylvania. Confirm current Dauphin County coverage directly with PA SAVIN if you need real-time notification accuracy.
State Inmate Resources for Dauphin County
Dauphin County's position as the state capital means that several state-level criminal justice offices are physically located in Harrisburg. That makes it easier to access resources in person if needed. Most of these tools are also available online.
The PA DOC Inmate Locator at inmatelocator.cor.pa.gov searches all state correctional institutions in Pennsylvania and is updated daily at no charge. The PA DOC headquarters at cor.pa.gov is located in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole at pbpp.pa.gov also operates from Harrisburg and supervises people released from state custody on parole, including many with Dauphin County ties. The Unified Judicial System Portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us provides free access to court filings, docket entries, and case summaries for criminal cases filed in Dauphin County courts.
The PATCH system at epatch.state.pa.us provides official criminal history reports for a $22 fee and covers conviction data statewide. Call 1-888-783-7972 for PATCH support. The Pennsylvania State Police at psp.pa.gov maintains additional law enforcement records relevant to Dauphin County. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records at openrecords.pa.gov in Harrisburg handles statewide records access issues and is a key resource for appeals involving Dauphin County released inmate records.
Cities in Dauphin County
Dauphin County includes the state capital of Harrisburg as the county seat along with several boroughs and townships in south-central Pennsylvania. Released inmate records for all Dauphin County communities are processed through Dauphin County Prison.
Nearby Counties
Dauphin County borders several counties in central Pennsylvania. Each has its own jail and records system for released inmates separate from Dauphin County.