The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) is the state agency responsible for supervising adults sentenced to prison or placed on parole or probation in Michigan. Headquartered at Grandview Plaza, 206 East Michigan Avenue in Lansing, Michigan, the MDOC manages one of the largest state prison systems in the Midwest. If your loved one is in MDOC custody, this guide covers everything you need to stay connected and support them effectively.
About the Michigan Department of Corrections
The MDOC's mission is to improve public safety by holding offenders accountable while programming to reduce the risk of re-offense. As of mid-2025, Michigan's prison population stands at approximately 32,532 incarcerated individuals, with a total offender population (including parolees and probationers) of about 73,081 under active supervision statewide. This represents a continued multi-year decline driven by sentencing reforms, expanded reentry services, and increased use of parole.
The MDOC operates 31 prison facilities plus a Special Alternative Incarceration program, ranging from minimum-security camps to maximum-security prisons. Facilities are spread across lower and upper Michigan, which means family members may need to travel significant distances to visit. The official website is michigan.gov/corrections, and the department's main phone number is 517-335-1426. Our directory carries over 38,000 historical booking records on file for facilities across the MDOC system.
How to Find an Inmate in Michigan DOC
The MDOC provides a free online tool called OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) that allows the public to search for anyone currently in prison or on parole in Michigan. To use it, visit mdocweb.state.mi.us and enter the person's name or MDOC number. Results include current facility, sentence details, projected release date, and conviction history.
You can also search by name on PrisonAssist.com to access historical booking and arrest records. If someone was recently sentenced and you're not sure which facility they were sent to, call MDOC reception at 517-335-1426 — newly sentenced individuals first pass through a reception and guidance center before assignment to a permanent facility.
Visiting Someone in an MDOC Facility
MDOC allows both in-person and virtual visitation at most facilities. Here's how to become an approved visitor and what to expect:
Getting Approved to Visit
To visit someone in an MDOC facility, you must be on their approved visitor list. The process involves:
- The incarcerated person requests that you be added to their visitor list through their assigned counselor or via the facility's visitation management system.
- You will be asked to provide identifying information for a background check.
- The background check process typically takes 2–4 weeks. Individuals with certain criminal convictions may be denied.
- Once approved, you will receive notification and can schedule or attend visits.
In-Person Visiting Schedules
Each MDOC facility has its own visiting schedule, typically on weekends and some weekdays. Current in-person visiting schedules are posted at michigan.gov/corrections/prisons/in-person-visiting-schedules. Major facilities with active in-person schedules include Chippewa, Cooper Street, Earnest C. Brooks, G. Robert Cotton, Gus Harrison, Ionia, Kinross, Lakeland, Macomb, Marquette Branch, Muskegon, Newberry, Oaks, Parnall, Richard A. Handlon, Saginaw, St. Louis, Thumb, Women's Huron Valley, and Woodland Center Correctional Facilities.
Dress Code and Visitor Rules
MDOC enforces strict dress codes to maintain security. You may not wear:
- Clothing that is gray, blue, or resembles correctional uniforms
- Revealing, tight-fitting, or sheer clothing
- Open-toed shoes or sandals
- Hats (except for religious or medical reasons, with prior approval)
Bring a government-issued photo ID. You will pass through metal detectors, and your belongings will be screened. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and must have prior written authorization from a parent or guardian if the accompanying adult is not a parent.
Sending Mail to Michigan DOC Inmates
Mail is an important lifeline for incarcerated individuals. MDOC inmates can receive letters and publications at their facility. Key rules include:
- Address mail to the inmate's full committed name and MDOC number, followed by the facility's full mailing address. Find addresses at michigan.gov/corrections.
- Standard white envelopes only. No padded, colored, or decorated envelopes.
- Photos are allowed at most facilities but must meet size and content guidelines — typically no sexually explicit content, no images promoting gang activity or violence.
- Books, magazines, and publications must be sent directly from the publisher or an approved vendor (e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble). No used publications from home.
- No cash, stamps, checks, stickers, or contraband of any kind.
- Legal mail must be clearly marked and is handled separately.
If you'd rather not navigate the rules yourself, PrisonAssist.com offers a letter service that handles formatting, printing, and mailing to ensure your correspondence passes inspection.
Phone Calls in Michigan DOC
Michigan DOC uses Global Tel Link (GTL) / ConnectNetwork as its phone services provider. This means family members need to create a ConnectNetwork account to receive calls or enable prepaid calling. Here's how it works:
- Visit connectnetwork.com to create a free account.
- Add funds to your account (minimum deposits apply). Various payment methods are accepted, including credit/debit cards.
- Register your phone number so the inmate can call you. When they dial your number, the charges are deducted from your balance.
- Calls are typically 15–30 minutes and are subject to recording and monitoring except for attorney calls.
GTL/ConnectNetwork also offers video visitation at some facilities, allowing face-to-face contact from your computer or mobile device when in-person visits aren't possible. Check the ConnectNetwork website for which MDOC facilities offer this feature.
Sending Money to Michigan DOC Inmates
Commissary funds give inmates access to extra food, hygiene products, writing materials, and electronics such as radios and tablets. Funds can be deposited through:
- ConnectNetwork online: Visit connectnetwork.com and deposit directly to the inmate's account using a credit or debit card.
- JPay (now ViaPath): Some MDOC facilities also use JPay for money transfers. Check the specific facility's page to confirm the approved vendor.
- Money order by mail: Send a money order made payable to the inmate's name and MDOC number to the facility's business office. Confirm the exact address beforehand.
- Lobby kiosks: Cash deposits can be made at kiosks located at facility lobbies.
Programs and Rehabilitation in Michigan DOC
MDOC is nationally recognized for some of its rehabilitation programs. Key offerings include:
- Vocational Village: MDOC's flagship trades training program — the first of its kind in the country — provides real-world training in skilled trades such as automotive technology, construction trades, and computer-aided drafting within a dedicated facility wing.
- Post-Secondary Education: Twelve Michigan colleges and universities partner with MDOC to offer accredited college courses to eligible inmates, supported by Pell Grant eligibility restored by the 2021 FAFSA Simplification Act.
- GED and Adult Basic Education: Literacy and high school equivalency programs are available at all facilities.
- Substance Abuse Treatment: Evidence-based programs for alcohol and drug dependency at multiple facilities.
- Mental Health Services: On-site counseling, psychiatric care, and crisis intervention at all facilities.
- Reentry Programming: Employment readiness, housing navigation, and community connections for individuals nearing parole.
Michigan's Incarceration Trends
Michigan has seen a sustained decline in its prison population over the past decade, from a peak of over 51,000 in 2007 to approximately 32,500 in 2025. This decline reflects both sentencing reforms and expanded use of parole. Michigan's fiscal year 2025–26 corrections budget totals approximately $2 billion, reflecting the continued investment in both incarceration and rehabilitation infrastructure.
For families, understanding that sentence lengths in Michigan are often determinate (fixed by law) rather than indeterminate helps set expectations for when a loved one might be eligible for parole. The MDOC publishes population projection reports that can help families understand system-wide trends.
Support Resources for Families
- MDOC Main Line: 517-335-1426
- OTIS Inmate Search: mdocweb.state.mi.us
- ConnectNetwork (GTL) Phone/Video: connectnetwork.com
- Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI): Statewide reentry support
- Michigan Legal Help: michiganlegalhelp.org
- PrisonAssist.com: Inmate search, letter service, care packages, phone discounts
How do I find an inmate in Michigan DOC?
Use the OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) at mdocweb.state.mi.us. Search by name or MDOC number to find current facility, sentence, and release date information.
How do I get approved to visit an MDOC facility?
The inmate must request that you be added to their visitor list. After submitting your information for a background check (2–4 weeks), you'll be notified of approval. Check the facility's visiting schedule at michigan.gov/corrections.
What phone service does Michigan DOC use?
Michigan DOC uses Global Tel Link (GTL) through ConnectNetwork. Create an account at connectnetwork.com to fund calls and receive calls from your incarcerated loved one.
How do I send money to a Michigan DOC inmate?
Deposit via ConnectNetwork online, money order by mail, or cash at a facility lobby kiosk. You'll need the inmate's name and MDOC number. Confirm the approved vendor with the specific facility.
What vocational programs does Michigan DOC offer?
MDOC runs the nationally recognized Vocational Village program offering hands-on trades training. Other programs include post-secondary college courses (with Pell Grant access), GED, substance abuse treatment, and reentry programming.
How large is Michigan's prison population?
As of mid-2025, Michigan has approximately 32,532 people in prison, down from a peak of over 51,000 in 2007. The total supervised population (including parole and probation) is about 73,081.
Understanding Michigan's Reception and Guidance Centers
When someone is first sentenced to MDOC, they are initially sent to one of Michigan's Reception and Guidance Centers (RGCs) before being permanently placed. At the RGC, staff conduct comprehensive assessments including medical and mental health evaluations, educational testing, and security risk scoring. This classification process typically takes several weeks. During this time, families may have difficulty reaching their loved one because the permanent facility is not yet determined. Check OTIS regularly during this period and call 517-335-1426 for updates.
Michigan's 31 facilities vary significantly in programming, population, and conditions. Maximum-security facilities like Marquette Branch Prison house the highest-risk individuals; facilities like Parnall or Cooper Street house lower-classification populations and offer broader access to programming. Understanding which facility your loved one has been assigned to — and why — helps you advocate for access to appropriate programming.
Practical Tips for Families Navigating MDOC
- Save the MDOC number. This 6-digit identifier is required for OTIS searches, ConnectNetwork deposits, and mail addressing. Find it on OTIS or ask the facility.
- Register on ConnectNetwork before visiting. Setting up your ConnectNetwork account early means you can start receiving phone calls and making deposits as soon as your loved one arrives at their permanent facility.
- Request a contact with the assigned counselor. Each MDOC prisoner has an assigned counselor who manages case plans, programming referrals, and parole preparation. They are your primary institutional contact.
- Understand parole in Michigan. Michigan has both determinate (fixed) and indeterminate sentences. For indeterminate sentences, the Michigan Parole Board reviews cases at the earliest release date. Program participation — especially vocational and educational programs — can positively influence parole decisions.
- Follow facility-specific rules carefully. MDOC facilities each have additional local rules beyond the department-wide policy. Call the specific facility before visits, mailings, or sending packages to confirm what is currently allowed.
For family support and advocacy, the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency (MCCD) and the Prisoners' Rights Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School are among the resources available to families and individuals navigating the Michigan corrections system.
Michigan Parole Process: What Families Need to Know
Michigan uses indeterminate sentencing for most offenses, meaning sentences are set as a minimum and maximum (e.g., 5–10 years). The Michigan Parole Board reviews cases at or near the minimum sentence date. The Board considers programming participation, institutional conduct, victim input, reentry plan quality, and risk assessment scores. Families can submit letters of support to the Board before the parole interview. A detailed, honest letter explaining the concrete support you can provide — stable housing, transportation, employment connections — carries more weight than general expressions of character.
Michigan's parole grant rate has been increasing in recent years as the state works to reduce its prison population. Individuals denied parole receive a continuance to a future review date. Ask the assigned counselor for the current parole review schedule and for guidance on how to formally submit a support letter.
After release, Michigan parolees are supervised by the MDOC's Office of Community Corrections through a network of field agents statewide. Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI) services — including housing, employment, and substance abuse support — are available to individuals on parole. Visit michigan.gov/corrections for current reentry program information.
Inmate service providers at Michigan Department of Corrections (MI DOC)
Like most US jails and prisons, Michigan Department of Corrections (MI DOC) relies on private companies for phone calls, video visits, money transfers, and care packages, each with its own fees and sign-up steps. Nationwide the most common providers are Securus and ViaPath (GTL) for calls and video, JPay and Access Corrections for sending money, and Access Securepak for care packages.
Not sure which company serves the Michigan Department of Corrections (MI DOC)? Our inmate service provider directory explains how each one works, what it charges, and how to set up an account before you pay.