Union County, New Jersey Inmate Search
The Union County Inmate Search is a public safety tool designed by the Union County Sheriff’s Office to help families, attorneys, and the public find individuals currently detained in a correctional facility. This search provides basic details, including the individual’s full name, the date they entered the facility, and their current status. These details help the public to track an individual’s location within the justice system.
While the county maintains the main jail system, some city police departments within Union County manage their own law enforcement activities. Elizabeth and Union are the two most populous areas in the county. The Elizabeth Police Department is one of the largest in New Jersey and is located at One Police Plaza. The Township of Union Police Department, established in 1894, also provides law enforcement services for its community.
How to Find an Inmate in Union County Jail
The Union County Sheriff’s Office, through its Division of Corrections, manages the county’s jail population under the direction of an Officer in Charge. Presently, Union County houses its inmates at facilities in neighboring counties. Inmates are located at the Essex County Jail and the Hudson County Jail. Researchers may use the Essex County Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup or directly contact the facilities when attempting to locate a person originally arrested in Union County.
Union County Sheriff’s Office
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Union County Division of Corrections
15 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Essex County Sheriff’s Office
50 West Market Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Essex Department of Corrections
354 Doremus Avenue
Newark, NJ 07105
Hudson County Sheriff’s Office
Hudson Plaza
257 Cornelison Avenue
Room 2001
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Hudson County Correctional Center
30-35 South Hackensack Avenue
Kearny, NJ 07032-4690
How to Use the Union County Jail Roster
Union County houses its inmates at facilities in Essex County. For this reason, searches are conducted through the Essex County Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup tool or by contacting the Hudson or Essex County jails.
Individuals accessing the Essex County Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup tool can search by name (first name, last name, and date of birth) or by a unique identifier (booking number, permanent number, state ID, county ID, FBI number, or ICE number). The tool also has an "Include Released Inmates" checkbox, which is useful if the person is no longer in active custody.
What Information is Included in the Union County Inmate Roster
Results from the Union County inmate searches provide essential identifiers, such as an inmate’s full name, unique booking number, permanent ID, arrest date, and release date (if applicable). These details help distinguish between individuals with similar names and confirm the length of a stay.
Record seekers may also find an inmate’s age, date of birth, height, weight, hair color, hair length, eye color, complexion, race, ethnicity, marital status, and current custody or release status. Also, the search returns detainer information, the housing or unit where the inmate resides, bond information, general charge descriptions, and information about upcoming court dates.
Access to Union County inmate records is governed by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), indexed in N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1. This law mandates that government records remain readily accessible to citizens, with certain exceptions for privacy and safety. For example, a custodian must redact social security numbers, credit card numbers, and unlisted telephone numbers before releasing a record to the public. Criminal investigatory records and victims’ records are also exempt from public access.
Contact Details for Union County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
If anyone needs to inquire about an inmate in person, they may contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office. However, since inmates are held at Essex County and Hudson County jail facilities, one may receive a faster answer by contacting those jails directly.
Department | Physical Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Union County Sheriff’s Office | 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 | (908) 527-4450 |
Union County Division of Corrections | 15 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 | (908) 558-2600 |
Hudson County Jail | 30-35 South Hackensack Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032 | (201) 395-5600 |
Essex County Jail | 354 Doremus Avenue, Newark, NJ 07105 | (973) 274-3001 |
Jail Facility Overview in Union County
Union County does not currently house inmates within its own borders-it contracts with facilities in neighboring counties. The Essex County Correctional Facility and the Hudson County Correctional Center hold the majority of Union County’s inmate population. Essex County Correctional Facility recently achieved 100% compliance with the American Correctional Association’s mandatory standards across multiple consecutive accreditation cycles, reflecting its commitment to safety, medical care, re-entry programs, and educational services.
The Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny functions as a "Learning Organization," aimed at diminishing a convicted criminal’s likelihood of reoffending and facilitating change. The facility oversees various groups and offers dedicated units for work-release and re-entry programs.
Facility Name | Physical Address | Phone Number | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Union County Division of Corrections | 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 | (908) 558-2600 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday | No designated email address for all public inquiries |
Essex County Correctional Facility | 354 Doremus Avenue, Newark, NJ 07105 | (973) 274-3001 | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday | N/A |
Hudson County Correctional Center | 30-35 South Hackensack Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032 | (201) 395-5600 | 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday | N/A |
How to Send Money to a Union County Inmate in Essex County Correctional Facility
Friends and family can fund an inmate’s account to allow them to purchase stationery, snacks, and other personal items from the commissary. The Essex County Correctional Facility uses a payment portal for electronic deposits. Users can create an account online or use the payment app to manage funds on the go.
The facility also provides a kiosk in the visitor’s lobby for those who prefer to make deposits in person. This kiosk accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards for inmate accounts. Staff accepts these deposits Monday through Friday. Individuals may also send funds through postal money orders, bank money orders, cashier’s checks, and certified checks. All mailed payments must include the inmate’s full name and their booking or jail identification number. Personal checks are not accepted for inmate accounts.
The jail enforces strict restrictions on certain types of money orders to prevent fraud. Staff will not accept "Traveler’s Express" or store-bought money orders.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
When searching for Union County inmates, individuals can either check at the Essex County Correctional Facility or the Hudson County Correctional Center.
The Essex County Jail has an "Inmate Lookup Tool" that allows one to search the database by name or unique identifier. Users can enter an individual’s first name, last name, and date of birth to find a match. The Hudson County Jail does not maintain an online jail roster; all inquiries must be made in person at the facility or by phone.
Facility Name | Public Search? | Information Request Method |
|---|---|---|
Essex County Jail | Yes | Use the inmate roster at https://www.eccorrections.org/inmatelookup |
Hudson County Jail | Yes | Contact the jail’s Record Room at (201)395-5600 ext. 5082/5083 |
Union County Visitation Rules and Schedules
The Essex County Correctional Facility allows friends and family to visit Union County inmates.
All adult visitors must show a valid government-issued photo identification that includes a current address. If a visitor uses a passport, they must also provide a utility bill or phone bill to prove their residency. This process ensures the safety and security of everyone inside the jail.
Minors under 18 years of age must have a birth certificate to enter the facility for a visit. They must also be accompanied by an adult who meets all identification requirements. If the adult is not the parent/legal guardian, they must provide a notarized letter of permission from the child’s guardian.
The facility requires a strict dress code for all visitors to maintain a professional environment. Visitors may not wear sheer, net, or see-through materials. All skirts, dresses, and shorts must be at least knee-length. Clothing that displays gang signs, obscenities, or drug-related designs is strictly prohibited.
Visitors must also pass a metal detector and may be subject to a physical pat-down before entering the visiting area. Visits are conducted through a window and are scheduled by building.
- Buildings 2 & 5: Wednesday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Buildings 3 & 4: Thursday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Infirmary: Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(See Hudson County Jail social and legal/professional visitation guidelines.)
Mailing and Commissary Information
Inmates at both the Hudson County and Essex County jails can accept an unlimited amount of correspondence. All incoming mail is examined for prohibited items, but it is not opened unless it raises a security issue. Families should use a clear and consistent format when addressing envelopes to ensure they reach the correct person.
The mailing format follows this structure:
Hudson County:
Inmate Name and ID Number
Hudson County Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
30-35 Hackensack Avenue
Kearny, NJ 07032
Essex County:
Inmate Name - Booking Number
Essex County DOC - 2200
P.O. Box 96777
Las Vegas, NV 89193
Inmates may receive soft-covered books, magazines, and newspapers. However, these items must be mailed directly from the publisher or a reputable bookstore. Hudson County requires books to be ordered through a designated bookstore website. Unauthorized items or those sent from private individuals will be rejected by the facility.