If you've lost touch with someone who's been sent to prison, or you need to locate a prisoner for legal or personal reasons, there are official channels you can use. The process is straightforward, though it does require some patience.
The Prisoner Location Service
The main way to find someone in prison in England and Wales is through the **Prisoner Location Service**, which is part of His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). You can contact them to find out which prison someone is being held in.
To use the service, you'll need to provide:
You can write to the Prisoner Location Service at:
Prisoner Location Service
PO Box 2152
Birmingham
B15 1SD
You can also email: prisoner.location.service@justice.gov.uk
The service will confirm which prison the person is in, but they won't provide additional details like release dates or sentence information. They also won't share information if the prisoner has requested that their location be withheld.
Using the Online Service
There's no fully automated online prisoner search in England and Wales (unlike some other countries). However, you can send your request by email, which speeds things up compared to postal enquiries.
Response times are typically 5-10 working days, though it can take longer during busy periods.
Finding Someone Recently Arrested or Remanded
If someone has just been arrested or remanded in custody, they may not yet appear in the prisoner location system. In this case:
Finding a Prisoner in Scotland
In Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) handles prisoner location requests. You can contact them at:
You'll need the same basic information — name, date of birth, and your relationship to the person.
Finding a Prisoner in Northern Ireland
For Northern Ireland, contact the Northern Ireland Prison Service:
Important Things to Know
There are some situations where you won't be told a prisoner's location:
If you're a victim of the prisoner's offence, you may be able to get information through the **Victim Contact Scheme** instead.
Finding Someone After Release
If someone has been released from prison and you want to get in touch, the Prisoner Location Service can't help. You'd need to try:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free online prisoner search for UK prisons?
There's no public database where you can search for prisoners online in the UK. You need to contact the Prisoner Location Service by email or post.
How long does it take to find out where someone is in prison?
The Prisoner Location Service typically responds within 5-10 working days. Email enquiries are usually faster than postal ones.
Can anyone find out if someone is in prison?
The service is available to anyone, but the prisoner can request that their location isn't shared with certain people. There are also restrictions if safeguarding concerns exist.
Will the prisoner know I've been looking for them?
The Prisoner Location Service may inform the prisoner that an enquiry has been made about their whereabouts, particularly if they've expressed concerns about certain contacts.
Can I find out when someone is being released from prison?
General members of the public can't access release date information. Victims of crime can request this through the Victim Contact Scheme. Family members can sometimes get this information directly from the prison.