How to Look Up Someone in OTIS (Michigan) — quick steps for families
Trying to find someone in Michigan's system? OTIS can confirm whether they're in an MDOC prison or on MDOC supervision—and give you the details you'll need to verify next.
OTIS is Michigan's public search tool for people currently - or recently - under the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). That covers people in Michigan prisons (including Newberry Corrections Facility) and people on MDOC parole or probation. One limit to know: OTIS only shows individuals who've been under MDOC jurisdiction within the last three years. Older cases won't appear.
OTIS also includes people who transferred in or out of Michigan under the Interstate Compact, plus people who escaped or absconded from their sentence. So if you see a status that doesn't look like "in prison" or "on parole/probation," it may still be an MDOC-related record.
Before You Search
- ✓ Full legal name (try common spelling variations)
- ✓ Date of birth (or an approximate age)
- ✓ Approximate location in Michigan (county/city can help you sort similar names)
- ✓ MDOC number, if you have it (from paperwork, prior letters, or prior records)
- ✓ A plan to verify what you find before you make decisions based on it
Note: Don’t take action based only on what you see in OTIS. Confirm key details with MDOC, Michigan State Police ICHAT, or by reviewing the court file.
- Open OTIS and start a search - Use the person’s name (or their MDOC number if you have it).
- Narrow your results - If multiple people come up, use details like date of birth to help you pick the right match.
- Review the list of matches - OTIS can show people who are in a Michigan prison (including Newberry Corrections Facility) or on MDOC parole or probation, so scan carefully.
- Open the person’s record - Click into the offender record to see the fuller set of details OTIS provides.
As you read a record, you may see an “MCL #” listed for an offense. In OTIS, clicking the Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) number takes you to the Michigan Legislature website, where you can read the statute the person was convicted of violating.
OTIS results are meant to give you a snapshot of a person’s MDOC-related status and identifying details, plus offense information. When you see an MCL number, you can click it to open the Michigan Legislature website and view the text of the statute tied to the conviction.
Trying to figure out whether someone is physically in a facility versus being supervised in the community? Don't rely on the first line you see. Open the full offender record and read the fields together - otherwise you might mix up facility information with parole or probation supervision details.
Verify first: No action should be taken based on OTIS alone - confirm with MDOC, Michigan State Police ICHAT, or the court file before you make decisions or share information.
If something in OTIS looks inaccurate, out-of-date, or incomplete - especially for someone connected to Newberry - reach out to the MDOC Office of Public Information and Communications at correctionsinfo@michigan.gov. Include the name, any MDOC number you found, and what you believe is incorrect so they can review it.
Having technical trouble with OTIS - site won't load, pages display incorrectly, or searches aren't working? Email the MDOC Webmaster at mdocwebmaster@michigan.gov. If the site works but the content looks wrong or incomplete, contact the Office of Public Information and Communications at correctionsinfo@michigan.gov instead.
Final Notes
- ✓ Confirm OTIS details with MDOC, Michigan State Police ICHAT, or the court file before you act
- ✓ Report inaccurate/out-of-date OTIS information to correctionsinfo@michigan.gov
- ✓ Report technical OTIS access/reading problems to mdocwebmaster@michigan.gov
Find an Inmate at Newberry Corrections Facility, Mi
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