Execute a Free Louisiana Probation Search (Lookup Tools)

Conduct a free Louisiana probation search online with the options outlined and linked throughout this resource.

Probation refers to the practice of allowing an offender to live in the community under the watch of a supervision officer instead of spending time in jail. This differs from parole, where an offender serves part of their sentence incarcerated but may later qualify for early supervised release.

This resource explains the ways an individual can conduct a public records search at no cost to learn if someone is in jail, on parole, or on probation. It also covers related topics, such as how to contact a probation officer in Louisiana and how victims of crime can access support if they’re concerned about an individual’s release.

Perform a Free Louisiana Probation Search: Records & Status

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections oversees probation and parole in the state.¹

Public records requests can be made in writing to:

La. Department of Public Safety & Corrections
Attn: Deputy Secretary’s Office
P.O. Box 94304
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Telephone: 225-342-6744
Fax: 225-342-3095
Email: [email protected]

Note that only limited details are available as a matter of public record. The available details include:

• Offender age
• The offense
• Date of conviction
• Length of sentence
• Any misconduct recorded while incarcerated

Information about these exceptions are published in the Louisiana Public Records Act – LSA -R.S 44:1 et seq.

Another useful resource for performing a probation search in Louisiana with no fee is the VINELink service, which holds records from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections.² This tool pulls information from several data sources using ID or a full or partial name.

The search results include details about the offender’s full name, age, gender, race and custody status. It also provides information about which sheriff’s office the offender falls under.

Because VINELink pulls information from several different data sources, the records are not always guaranteed to be fully up-to-date. If an outage or connection issue prevents the database from receiving updates from a specific county or city’s database, the results page will indicate that the records are out of date using red text.

Find Louisiana Probation Details or Status via Parish & Municipal Agencies

Louisiana introduced an electronic search and filing system that most courts across the state use in 2023. Rather than each court having its own public records database, records are now accessible from a single central database called eClerksLA.³

To perform a search with eClerksLA, select the parish that you’re interested in and click search. It should show a list of which types of records are available for that parish. The next screen will redirect to the search tool where individuals can look up, view and print court information.

Searchers must first register for an account with the eClerksLA system. Registering is free. Some of the system’s features require a subscription for access.

The table below lists some of the main district courts in Louisiana:

While eClerks is effective for a probation search in Louisiana, cases predating the transition to electric filing may not be accessible. Follow up with the correct court or use VINELink to receive more information in these situations.

Check a Probationer’s Violations in Louisiana & Contact Their Supervising Officer

There are 64 parishes in Louisiana and the sheriff’s offices at each parish will maintain an inmate list. It’s often possible to search these inmate lists online.

For example, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office provides a parish prison inmate list that is free to search.⁴ The list shows the charges an inmate was held on, the date they were booked, any relevant bond numbers, the court they were tried at. It also indicates if the offender is still in custody or not.

In addition, the tool provides an option for searchers to register for notification if the offender’s custody status changes.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office provides a similar inmate search tool.⁵ This tool asks for a person’s name, race and sex. It’s important to fill out all of the details; otherwise, the search form will return an error.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office does not provide an online search tool. Rather, it advises interested parties to call 225-383-4580 to request details of an inmate. To perform a search, callers will either need to know the offender’s name and date of birth or their DOC number.

Lastly, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office provides a roster with a list of inmates currently in custody or who were recently released.⁶ Other parishes will most likely provide similar probation search tools in Louisiana.

Note that the information provided by sheriff’s offices applies only to offenders who are or were recently held in a parish jail. In addition, the search results typically only indicate if a person was released from jail without giving additional details about the case.

If someone is out on probation, they will have to report regularly to a supervising officer. Individuals with concerns about a person who is on trial period can report those concerns to the local probation office. The office can pass the message to the correct officer.

The table below lists some of the main district offices in Louisiana:

Juvenile probationers are often handled by a different office than adults, and the Louisiana State Legislature has specific policies governing the rights of the victim in the case of an alleged delinquent act.

If you have an immediate or pressing concern about your safety or a crime is being committed, contact local law enforcement. They will be able to respond to your concerns more quickly than a probation office.

How To Verify Which Louisiana Residents Are on Parole

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections provides a number of resources to find information about people who are in prison, including an online search tool that is free to use and updated once every 24 hours with information about prisoners, parolees and probationers.⁷

It’s also possible to access information about parolees via the Imprisoned Person Locator by calling 225-383-4580. This service is also free to use; however, callers must know the prisoner’s DPS&C number or their full name and date of birth to access details such as a prisoner’s current housing assignment or release date.

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections can be contacted at:

Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections
P.O. Box 94304
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9304

And the probation and parole department can be reached by calling 225-342-6609.

The DPS&C offers an emergency notification system that informs interested parties if a prisoner escapes from a participating correctional facility in their area or if there are other unforeseen emergencies. Currently, seven correctional facilities participate in the notification system, with more expected to join.

Those who have been a victim of crime can register with the Louisiana Automated Victim Notification System to receive information about the status of the person who harmed them as the case moves through the justice system. The LAVNS notifies victims about a person’s arrest, bail, hearing dates, the outcome of those hearings and any subsequent incarceration or release.

The Board of Pardons & Committee on Parole hearings are open to the public and victims have the right to testify at these hearings, though they are not obliged to.

Victims of crime in Louisiana may be eligible for support in the form of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Grants or compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred because of the crime. The Office for Victims of Crime provides a list of the grants currently available.⁸

The VINELink database is also useful for finding out about individuals who are on probation and is a useful starting point for finding out whether a person is in jail, on probation or on parole.

In addition to Louisiana probation search tools, there are many other public records available in the state; with the steps outlined here, this will become an accessible process for all interested parties.