What OTIS can — and can't — tell you about your loved one
OTIS (Michigan's Offender Tracking Information System) is a helpful starting point, but it doesn't give you the complete picture—and it's not meant to be the final word on someone's custody or case.
OTIS shares public information about people who have been under Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) jurisdiction or supervision. The system expects you to verify what you find through MDOC, Michigan Courts, the Michigan State Police, or other law enforcement agencies. That verification step matters. Families often use OTIS to get their bearings, then confirm the details before making plans or decisions.
Note: MDOC and the State of Michigan provide OTIS information without any warranty, and the database may not reflect the most current location, status, projected release date, or other details.
When you search OTIS, you're looking at people who are - or were - under MDOC jurisdiction or supervision. That includes people currently in a Michigan prison, on parole, or on probation supervised by MDOC. It also covers people involved in interstate transfers (moving in or out of Michigan under the Interstate Compact) and people who have escaped or absconded. OTIS isn't limited to felony cases - it can show both felons and misdemeanants under MDOC supervision.
If you see a Michigan Compiled Law number (an "MCL #") on a record, that number tells you what the conviction relates to. Click it, and you'll go to the Michigan Legislature website where you can read the actual statute.
Why some records don’t show up: OTIS generally only shows people who have been under MDOC jurisdiction or supervision within the last three years, and information is removed if a conviction is set aside, expunged (by the court or by operation of law), or once three years have passed since discharge.
Even though OTIS uses public-record information, it won't show everyone you might expect. Some people are sentenced under Michigan statutes that block public disclosure of their conviction details - so they won't appear at all. OTIS is also time-limited: if more than three years have passed since someone was under MDOC jurisdiction or supervision, they may not show up. Records can also be removed if a conviction is set aside, expunged, removed by operation of law, or three years have passed since discharge. If you're not finding someone - or seeing less detail than you hoped - these are the most common reasons.
Note: Even when someone does appear in OTIS, the database may not reflect their most current location, status, or projected release date.
MDOC and the State of Michigan are clear: OTIS comes without any express or implied warranty as to accuracy. In practice, that means the page you're looking at might lag behind what's actually happening - especially for things that change quickly, like housing location, custody status, or projected release dates.
Don't rely on OTIS alone before taking action. If you're making decisions based on someone's status or trying to interpret case details, confirm through MDOC, the Michigan State Police (using ICHAT), or by reviewing the court file directly.
Takeaway
- ✓ Confirm key details directly with MDOC before you make plans or decisions based on an OTIS entry.
- ✓ Use the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) as another way to check information.
- ✓ Review the court file when you need the most reliable case-level details.
- ✓ For time-sensitive concerns, contact the facility directly rather than relying on a database snapshot.
Bottom line: OTIS is a useful starting point for public information about people under MDOC jurisdiction or supervision, but it works best when you treat it as something to verify - not the final answer.
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