How OTIS (Michigan's inmate search) Works: What It Shows and What It Doesn't

OTIS is Michigan's public offender search tool. It shares basic information about people who are or were under the jurisdiction or supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). You can use it to look up someone currently in a Michigan prison (including facilities like St. Louis Correctional) or someone supervised by MDOC on parole or probation.

The biggest reason you might not find someone in OTIS? The three-year rule. OTIS only shows offenders who have been under MDOC jurisdiction or supervision within the last three years. If more than three years have passed, their information won't appear, even if you're certain they had a Michigan case.

If someone has been involved with MDOC recently, OTIS covers more than just "in prison right now." It can include people who are or were in a Michigan prison (including St. Louis Correctional), people on MDOC parole or probation, people who transferred in or out of Michigan under the Interstate Compact, and people who escaped or absconded from their sentence. This broad scope is useful for tracking supervision status. But it also means search results may surprise you if you assumed OTIS only lists people currently incarcerated.

Even when someone appears in OTIS, treat the details as a starting point. OTIS specifically warns that its database may not accurately reflect current location, status, or projected release date. If you're planning something that depends on accuracy (like where to send mail, which facility to contact, or what to expect next in a case timeline), verify the details before acting on them.

How to Verify

• ✓ Confirm details directly with MDOC
• ✓ Use the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)
• ✓ Review the court file for the most reliable case and sentencing information