Conduct a Free Hawaii Parole Search (Find Out Parolees’ Status)

Carry out a free Hawaii parole search right away to reveal details of anyone under this type of supervision throughout the state. Fortunately, Hawaii lets interested individuals access certain information free of charge through an online database, thanks to state and federal public record laws.

A parole search provides information about individuals on early supervised release from prison, whereas a person convicted of a less serious offense is typically given probation. People on parole spend part of their sentences in prison before qualifying for early, supervised release, while people on probation spend their entire sentences under an officer’s watchful eye in their communities.

This resource explains how to find parolees in Hawaii and locate information about incarcerated individuals and those on other types of supervised release.

How To Perform a Hawaii Parole Search for Free

The Hawaii Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation may assist with parole-related queries.¹ Contact the department at:

Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
1177 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 808-587-1288

Concerned citizens can access Hawaii arrest records resulting in convictions, which may reveal whether an individual is on parole. Online criminal history record checks cost $5 per search and a further $10 per matching record via the eCrim website.

Alternatively, request an in-office check at the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. The center charges $30 per search for this service, plus $20 for a certified copy. Citizens should complete a name-based criminal background search form and mail or deliver it in-person to:²

Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center
465 South King Street, Room 102
Honolulu, HI 96813

Hawaii also operates five additional public access sites where residents can request criminal record checks. The state’s public access sites charge $25 per criminal record print-out.

The following table shows contact information for sites across Hawaii:

The Hawaii Paroling Authority may provide additional information if the database doesn’t produce the correct profile.⁴ Hawaii citizens can phone the department at 808-587-1300.

Hawaii uploads information about incarcerated individuals and offenders under supervision in the community to VINELink. VINELink is a victim notification network that also allows any interested individual to complete a parole search in Hawaii free of charge.

Searching the Vinelink database enables anyone to search for parolees in Hawaii without creating an account. However, registering and signing in lets users view extra information, such as an offender’s date of birth or ID number. The database should show a list of records matching the search terms.

Search for Parole Violations & Runaways (Absconders)

Hawaii public records don’t typically include parole violations or absconders. However, crime victims may have the right to know this information in certain circumstances. The Hawaii Paroling Authority oversees parolees across the state and may provide information about violations. Contact the Hawaii Paroling Authority at:

Hawaii Paroling Authority
1177 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 808-587-1300

Whether a victim has the right to notification when an offender absconds (flees) depends on various factors.⁵ Registering for notifications on a specific parolee via VINELink lets victims receive essential information about an offender’s release status.

Often, violating parole or fleeing while on parole results in revocation. This means the person loses their right to parole and returns to prison to complete the rest of their sentence.

The Hawaii parole authorities can consider alternative arrangements in some circumstances, such as increasing the intensity of the person’s supervision or placing them on a curfew. However, alternatives to revocation only typically apply when the authority is satisfied that the offender poses minimal risk to the public.

When the state moves to revoke a person’s parole, it may allow the press to attend the revocation hearings to report on proceedings. Press attendance may be permitted if it’s in the public interest for citizens to know about a parole violation or absconsion. Therefore, local news sources can often provide information on high-risk parole violations.

Victims and concerned individuals check an offender’s VINELink record to determine whether the person has been returned to jail.

Look Up Inmates in a Hawaii State Prison

Unlike corrections departments in many states, the Hawaii Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation doesn’t operate a public database of incarcerated individuals. Thus obtaining inmate records means contacting them in person or through phone at (808)-587-1288.

Hawaii Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
1177 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

As an alternative, you may contact the Hawaii Sheriff’s Division and the state’s Police Department in order to obtain inmate records.^{6, 7}

The process of looking up an inmate in a Hawaii prison is similar to a parole search in Hawaii. The state partnered with a third party provider – VINELink.

Each prison has its own arrangements for visitation and communication with inmates. Friends and family members can contact an inmate’s prison directly using the contact details on their record.

The Hawaii Department of Public Safety Correction Division website has information about visiting, contacting or sending money to an inmate in any of Hawaii’s jails and prisons.

Determine When a Parole Hearing Is or Reach Out to a Hawaii Parole Officer

The Hawaii Paroling Authority doesn’t generally publish schedules of upcoming hearings. However, crime victims are typically entitled to know the dates of scheduled parole hearings.

Conducting a parole search in Hawaii on VINELink and signing up for offender notifications is an effective way to stay informed of any developments impacting an offender’s incarceration status.

As a rule of thumb, the Hawaii Paroling Authority arranges parole hearings within two months of an offender’s minimum term.⁸

In some circumstances, citizens may need to contact an offender’s parole officer. For instance, a person may become aware of a violation or need to report a safety issue related to an individual on parole. Like most states, Hawaii doesn’t publish lists of parole officers assigned to specific offenders.

Hawaii residents can contact the Field Parole Branch Administrator by calling 808-587-1300. The administrator can direct callers to the correct officer to address concerns.

Confirm Whether a Hawaii Resident Is on Probation

Probation differs from parole because it’s only usually considered for people convicted of less serious offenses.

When a person gets sentenced to probation, they complete their sentence in their local community under the supervision of an assigned probation officer. Conversely, parolees serve a minimum term in prison before becoming eligible for early supervised release (parole).

The Hawaii State Judiciary allows anyone to search for criminal cases through eCourt Kokua.⁹ Citizens can use the system to find court cases by party name or case number.

Records will likely show whether an individual was sentenced to probation, but the system may not hold details of every court case.

Local courthouses can provide print-outs of cases unavailable online, and the Judiciary Communications & Community Relations Office can help residents determine the correct court location.¹⁰ Contact the office at:

Judiciary Communications & Community Relations Office
417 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: 808-539-4909

Some counties in Hawaii provide additional resources to help residents determine who’s on probation. For example, Hawaii County’s Third Circuit Court can answer questions about adults on probation. Citizens should contact the court by phone, mail or in-person at:

Hawaii Third Circuit Court (Adult Probation)
777 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720-4212

Phone: 808-961-7600

Searching for an offender on Vinelink shows individuals on all types of supervised release, including probation. Each person’s record page shows whether they’re on probation under the ‘custody detail’ subheader.

Alternatively, conduct a criminal record search using the eCrim database offered by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.³ This service provides access to any arrest records that resulted in a conviction and became part of the public record.

Information accessed through the eCrim service may include sentencing outcomes, such as whether a person is on probation. Each eCrim search costs $5 as of 2023.

Running a Hawaii parole search can provide valuable information about an individual’s status; utilize this resource to stay informed about parolees or offenders for a safer and more aware society.