MDOC Inmate Search: How to Use Michigan’s OTIS System

What is OTIS? Michigan’s MDOC Offender Database

OTIS — the Offender Tracking Information System — is run by the Michigan Department of Corrections and serves as the official public database for anyone currently or recently under MDOC supervision. It covers people in state prison, on MDOC parole or probation, transferred through the Michigan Interstate Compact, and those listed as escaped or absconded from their sentence. Records stay on OTIS for three years after discharge from supervision.

OTIS is not a criminal background check tool. MDOC explicitly states it should not be used for that purpose. It shows current and recent supervision status, not a complete conviction history. For a full criminal history, the Michigan State Police runs a separate, fee-based tool called ICHAT.

What each OTIS status code means

State Prison, County Jail, or Federal? Start Here

The most common reason for a failed OTIS search is looking in the wrong system. OTIS only covers sentenced state-level offenders under MDOC supervision. If the arrest happened recently, the person is in a county jail, and county jails are not in OTIS at all.

Not sure which system applies? Our County Jail vs. State Prison guide walks through every scenario.

Step-by-Step: Using OTIS to Find a Michigan Prisoner

One note before you start: the URL most people land on — michigan.gov/corrections/otis — occasionally shows an unavailability error. The direct database portal at mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/otis2.aspx is more consistently accessible. Bookmark the direct URL.

1. Open the direct OTIS portal

   Navigate to mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/otis2.aspx. No account, no login, no fee. If you see “search unavailable” on the michigan.gov redirect, this direct URL typically works.

2. Enter last name — or MDOC number alone

   If you have the MDOC prisoner number from sentencing paperwork or correspondence, enter it in the MDOC Number field for one exact result. Name searches require at minimum the last name; first name is optional but narrows results for common surnames like Johnson or Williams.

3. Use the wildcard (*) when spelling is uncertain

   Type at least three letters followed by an asterisk in the Last Name field — “Willi*” returns Williams, Williamson, Wilkins, and similar names. This is documented on OTIS’s own About page. Use it when a name may have been entered differently at intake than you expect.

4. Read the Status column before anything else

   OTIS keeps records for three years post-discharge. A result appearing in the list does not mean the person is currently incarcerated. Check Status first: PRISON means incarcerated in a facility; DISCHARGED means free with no active supervision.

5. Click the MDOC number for the full profile

   The detail page shows current facility or supervising parole agent district, security level, offense with clickable Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) statute links, sentence length, county of conviction, court file number, and Earliest Release Date. Screenshot the page — OTIS has no save or export function.

6. Phone fallback when the site is unavailable

   MDOC public line: (517) 335-1426, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For website technical issues: mdocwebmaster@michigan.gov. For a data discrepancy in a profile: correctionsinfo@michigan.gov — include the MDOC number and the specific error.

Searching by MDOC number

The MDOC number is the fastest and most precise way to search. Enter it alone in the MDOC Number field and you get one exact record with no ambiguity from common names. The number appears on sentencing paperwork and official MDOC correspondence. It does not change when a prisoner transfers between Michigan facilities — unlike a booking number, it stays constant for the duration of MDOC supervision.

What the OTIS Profile Actually Shows You

Knowing what to look for in a result saves time and prevents misreading a record. These are the key fields on an OTIS profile page.

Michigan inmate release dates: Earliest Release vs. Maximum Discharge

Michigan uses indeterminate sentencing for most felonies, meaning the court sets a minimum and a maximum term. OTIS publishes both the Earliest Release Date (ERD) — the minimum after which parole is theoretically possible — and the Maximum Discharge Date, which is the absolute end of the sentence. The actual release date falls somewhere between these two, depending on the parole board’s decision. If someone is denied parole at the ERD, they remain incarcerated until their next parole hearing. They cannot be held beyond the Maximum Discharge Date.

Why the Person Isn’t Appearing in OTIS

A blank result almost always has a specific, identifiable cause. Work through these six scenarios in order before calling MDOC.

OTIS vs. ICHAT vs. County Jail Search

Michigan maintains three distinct public systems for offender records. Using the wrong one produces incorrect conclusions about a person’s custody status.

Michigan Mail Policy — 2026 Photocopy Rule

What fails to copy — check before writing

Because the prisoner receives a photocopy, anything that does not survive a standard black-and-white laser copy is effectively lost. Yellow highlighter renders as white space. Light pencil may not copy at all. Glitter pens, metallic ink, or markers that bleed through the envelope exterior can cause rejection before the letter is opened. Use dark blue or black ballpoint on white paper. Hand-write the address — printed labels may cause processing issues.

Envelope and content rules

Legal- or letter-sized envelopes only, hand-addressed with a full return address. No stickers, decorative tape, or labels on the envelope exterior. No more than six newspaper clippings. No more than two pages of internet printouts. Publications must come directly from the publisher or an approved vendor — not forwarded through a third party.

Legal mail: TextBehind DOCS and the QR code requirement

Legal correspondence requires sender registration with TextBehind DOCS, which generates a unique QR code that must appear on the envelope. Legal mail arriving without a valid QR code may be returned to the sender unopened. This is not simply converted to regular mail processing. For attorney correspondence, this distinction determines whether legal privilege is maintained.

Sending Money to a Michigan State Prisoner

Full deposit methods and commissary details: How to Send Money to an Inmate →

Electronic Messaging via JPay

JPay is MDOC’s approved vendor for electronic messaging — not money transfers. Create a free account at jpay.com, search for the prisoner by their MDOC number, and purchase stamps to send messages. All messages are scanned, recorded, and archived by both JPay and MDOC. Document attachments cannot be sent through JPay.

Scheduling a Visit — Steps Most Sites Miss

Step 1 — Visitor application (CAJ-103)

The prisoner first adds you to their visitor list. You then submit the CAJ-103 visiting application — either through MiLogin or by mail to the facility. MDOC runs a background check on all applicants. Online applications through MiLogin generally take up to four weeks. You receive notification by email when approved.

Step 2 — Create a MiLogin account

Once approved, register on the MDOC visitation scheduling platform through MiLogin at milogin.michigan.gov. This is Michigan’s standard citizen account — the same used for state services like unemployment or driver records. You then link it to MDOC Inmate Visitation. This step is required before booking.

Step 3 — Book through ViaPath

All in-person and video visits are scheduled at midoc.gtlvisitme.com. Visits must be booked at least 48 hours in advance and no more than 7 days out. Time slots release at 8:00 a.m. each day. Weekend slots fill quickly. Visiting blocks generally run 3 hours on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends. Up to 5 visitors can attend at once. Video calls cost approximately $3.20 for 20 minutes, paid in advance, with the same scheduling window.

Phone Calls from MDOC Facilities

Calls originate from the prisoner’s housing unit — you cannot call in directly. The current rate is approximately $0.0735 per minute via ViaPath Technologies, with generally one free 10-minute call per week per prisoner. Individual calls typically last up to 15 minutes. Call frequency depends on custody level and facility movement schedules.

To receive calls you must be on the prisoner’s approved call list, which they set up on their end. Fund a prepaid account through GTL ConnectNetwork at web.connectnetwork.com or by calling GTL at 855-466-2832. If calls stop unexpectedly, contact ViaPath at 855-466-2832 before assuming the worst — it may be a facility suspension or a system issue rather than a personal matter.

Michigan County Jail Lookup — When OTIS Returns Nothing

Michigan’s 83 counties each operate their own jail under the county sheriff. There is no single statewide county jail search portal. VINELink aggregates custody status from most Michigan county jails and provides free notification alerts on status changes. For the highest-population counties:

For the full 83-county directory: Michigan Inmate Search — Full County Hub →

Related Resources — Michigan and Other States