How can I find out if someone ever went to prison and what the reason was?
90630
You can purchase a background check from Knowx.com.
217071
Lots of people have been to prison.  Why?  Is there something in particular that you would like to know?
153107
If you know the court that holds the warrant or the bond/bail, you might be able to find out from them.\n\nLaw enforcement agencies, at least those in California, are very unlikely to know if someone has bailed/bonded out of jail.  They'll likely know if there's a warrant (or can at least find out with very little effort) but they're also pretty unlikely to hand that information out over the phone.  We prefer the offender come in and ask if he has a warrant :)
509580
California does not make specific information available to the public except as required by Megan's Law,and does not maintain a searchable database so your only options are to ask the inmate, his lawyer or the District Attorny in the county where he was prosecuted.\nYou can try www.vinelink.com but I find them next to useless... I tested the system by entering the information I know to be current for four inmates in various facilities, only one hit and that person is still awaiting trial...I'm not impressed
488015
There is a way to get free criminal information, but you are going to have to do a bit of research if you really do not want to pay for it.  Most jails have websites.  If you know the county where the person was arrested, just go to the site and look them up.  Also, try going to the court house in the county of arrest.  The have docket books with indictments and dates.  Finally, check the DA record's office.  You can get specific information pertaining to indictments, arrests and convictions.   A lot of leg work, but it's free.
109969
If they've ever been in prison, go to the state prison web site, it will give all the times they've been convicted of a crime and how much time they got.
1184720
Check online. at whatever state, check their department of corrections online. You can search it!
745031
Depending on the state you are in you can go to their Dept of Corrections Website. If he is in a Fed Pen you can go to the US Dept of Justice website for more information.
996441
hi\njust call the jail and ask if that person is there. give their full name\nand birthday and, if you know what they are in there for.i called and asked for someone and thats all i did. good luck.
694663
A criminal record does not mean they have been to prison necessarily. It may not be there. Do a Google search on the name first, if no results hang out at your local donut shop and ask a nice policeman to check for you. Most will on the side if the answer is a yes or no that you are looking for. If you want written details then you need to do it legally.
399540
Sometimes when you call a jail to get information, they will not release it. Try finding out who runs the jail and look it up. If you are trying to look up court dates for them or their sentence, try going to oscn.net and then going to search dockets.
430029
Most states have a government website that gives you a list of all the people who have been areested in that state. Try going to www.(your state's initials).gov You'll probably find a link there. Or, use dogpile to get a basic background on a person. If there is a warrant or any other charges against a person, Google will normally find it. Type something like, "Bubba Joe" and "Corrections". That should get a listing for that person if they have any charges. Finally, you can go to your local Police Station, they can help you out with anyone from your state for a small $5 fee ($5-$10 depending on the state.)
476260
Most state prisons have information on the inmates that are checked in.  City jails usually does not provide inmate information since they are for short term sentences.  You can contact the sheriff's or city police department and ask if your friend is listed as an inmate.  You can also visit them if you have not been an inmate yourself in the last year.
519593
Could you contact the town hall in that town? Or maybe even the police station? If you were a family member, they might give you more info than if you were a total stranger. Was there a conviction? Were they jailed? If so, do you have their inmate number? Maybe even a birthdate or even their SS#. Any and all info to help them help *you* find the info would be helpful.
1104734
If they are currently in jail, you can find out everything for free on their prison's website.\n\nIf not, you can do crimial background checks online....of course they cost.
120909
Go to the Georgia Department of Corrections site.  Look for inmate query
326727
Many states have web site for their Department of Corrections.  It will usually have a search option to look up current and past inmates.\n\nMost county jails are not going to have this information on their website.  It is too labor intensive to keep it current.  They will have automated phone system for you to access inmate information if you have the booking number for the inmate.