Inmate Identification

Effective inmate identification is a foundational element in maintaining safety, security, and regulatory compliance within correctional facilities of all sizes. From intake to release, ensuring that each individual is properly and consistently identified helps prevent errors, reduce risk, and support the smooth operation of daily processes.

Wristbands and RFID ID cards are two of the most common identification tools in correctional facilities. They not only confirm an inmate’s identity but also display key details—such as date of birth, housing assignment, classification level, and medical alerts—ensuring staff have accurate, real-time information for every decision.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• • The importance of inmate identification
  • The primary methods of inmate identification and their key differences
  • Which method best suits the unique needs of your operation

Accurate inmate identification is essential for correctional facilities of all sizes, supporting everything from:

• • Security: Reliable inmate identification ensures each inmate is properly identified to prevent mix-ups, unauthorized access to certain materials or areas, or misidentification at release.
  • Operational efficiency: Daily officer tasks such as headcounts, meal distribution, housing assignments, and medical care are streamlined to operate much more efficiently when there is no doubt surrounding the inmate in question. 
  • Officer accountability: Immediate access to accurate, real-time records of inmate status, movements, and history empowers officers to confidently interact with the correct inmate in any situation.
  • Compliance: Accurate inmate identification helps staff meet regulatory standards and reduce any legal risks through thorough documentation.

While there are many different methods of inmate identification, there are two methods that are considered to be the most effective and reliable market-wide: RFID wristbands and ID cards. Both inmate ID cards and wristbands contain a unique RFID value that pulls up specific inmate information when scanned, including details such as full name, date of birth, classification level, and other security-critical details. These tools enable facilities to:

• • Track inmate movements: Scanning an ID when an inmate is moved allows staff to monitor their location, document out-of-cell time, and reduce the risk of escape or unauthorized movement.
  • Ensure accurate medication and medical treatment: Inmates present their ID to be scanned when receiving medication or visiting medical staff to ensure the correct medication is administered and medical attention is properly recorded.
  • Streamline meal pass: Scanning IDs during meal distribution ensures each inmate receives their meal, helps prevent double-traying, and can flag dietary restrictions or allergies.
  • Manage supply distribution: When inmates check out returnable or non-returnable items, their IDs are scanned to track possession and ensure access to essential supplies.

Inmate ID cards and wristbands are indispensable tools for identity verification, operational efficiency, and facility safety. They help corrections professionals maintain control, minimize errors, and ensure the safety of both inmates and staff.

Inmate ID cards are much like those used by students or hospital staff. They’re usually clipped to an inmate’s shirt or other clothing, keeping them visible for quick identification and scanning. Each card carries a unique digital identifier, ensuring that no inmate is ever linked to more than one card at a time. 

Beyond state Departments of Corrections (DOCs), many midsize jails (500+ beds) and large jails (1,000+ inmates) also rely on ID cards for inmate identification. For these facilities, ID cards are the preferred method of inmate identification. Why? Two main reasons stand out:

• • High wristband failure rates. While wristbands have been in use for decades, many agencies have abandoned them due to frequent replacements. Whether from intentional damage or normal wear and tear, they often prove unsustainable.
  • Consistency with DOC standards. Most midsize and large jails strive to align with their state’s Department of Corrections, where ID cards are typically the standard.

In short, you can print almost anything that’s stored in your database onto an inmate ID card. The most common information printed onto an inmate ID card includes the inmate’s:

• • • • • • • Mugshot
• Last name 
• First name
• Permanent booking number 
• Booking number
• Facility name 

You can also print colored borders around inmate ID cards to denote different classification levels. 

Because midsize and large jails, as well as state DOCs, typically operate multiple interconnected systems, some of these systems can print barcodes directly onto inmate ID cards.

Yes, they can. 

In fact, it’s often more common for agencies to print officer, deputy, and civilian ID cards than inmate ID cards. These cards can include similar data elements, with the most common being:

• • Last name
  • First name
  • Facility name
  • Department or agency logo

Officer ID cards also serve as the primary mechanism for logging into some mobile inmate tracking systems, like Mobile Command XR, making them more versatile than RFID fobs. Unlike fobs, officer ID cards provide visual identification—so if one is misplaced, it’s immediately clear who it belongs to.

The most common way to wear and display an inmate ID card is with an ID card clip. For safety and security reasons, lanyards are rarely used, and the same concern applies to key backs for inmate identification.

If ID card clips, lanyards, or key chains are not used, inmates often place their ID card in their uniform shirt breast pocket—a practice we advise against.

We recommend that inmates keep their ID cards visibly displayed on their shirts during waking hours, which we will address further in the next section.

Most jails and DOCs require ID cards to be displayed front-facing and on the inmate during waking hours. 

Some facilities have even worked with their county attorney to add additional charges for inmates who intentionally damage their identification, whether wristbands or ID cards. Some county attorneys will add charges such as “destruction of government property” or “attempting to escape from custody” – particularly after repeatedly damaging or destroying their identification. 

Strong policies and forceful consequences for removing or tampering with ID cards do increase the lifespan of each ID card. Swift consequences for misusing, removing, or damaging an ID card will help increase inmate accountability while preventing or reducing ID card replacement rates.

The quality of your ID card printer plays a major role in how long printed information lasts. High-quality printers, especially those with lamination, help preserve ink and prevent fading. While lower-cost printers may reduce upfront expenses, they often result in more frequent reprints, ultimately costing more time and money. That’s why it’s important to research your options carefully to ensure you’re getting the best value.

At GUARDIAN RFID, we’ve standardized on the Zebra ZXP Series 7 Pro ID card printer, a reliable solution that supports both single- and dual-sided printing.

Inmate wristbands serve as a wearable form of identification, displaying essential information tailored to the facility’s needs.

The two most common wristband types available for offender identification are:

1. 1. Printed wristbands: Printable wristbands are a simple form of inmate identification. This type of wristband commonly has a paper-like feel and is frequently made of Tyvek, featuring an adhesive or mechanical closure. Since the offender’s identification is printed directly onto the wristband, printable wristbands do not require a rolling laminator.
   2. Laminated wristbands: Laminated wristbands are constructed by placing printed information onto a label or sheet of paper that fits within an unlaminated pouch. The wristband is then placed into a protective cardboard sleeve. This protective sleeve goes through a rolling laminator, using heat to seal the identifying information into the wristband itself. The bands can be secured with a metal or plastic fastener.

Inmate wristbands can be customized to your facility's liking, including color-coding for quick visual identification of inmate classification. Each inmate's identification wristband is customized to the inmate with their mugshot and any other pertinent information that the facility deems fit. 

Wristbands are generally best suited for short-term stays or situations where quick visual identification is essential. While facilities of all sizes use them, they are especially common in county jails because they are less expensive than ID cards and also more prone to damage and wear, meaning they rarely last as long as ID cards. 

Due to these factors, wristbands are often chosen by facilities that house inmates temporarily, as they align with the shorter average length of stay. 

Similar to inmate ID cards, you can print almost anything that’s stored in the database onto an inmate's wristband. The most common information printed onto an inmate's wristband includes the inmate’s:

• • Mugshot 
  • Last name 
  • First name
  • Permanent booking number 
  • Booking number
  • Facility name 

QR codes or barcodes can also be printed on wristbands for scanning purposes, but it’s important to note that compatibility may be limited. Since the information and codes are printed directly on the band, printed wristbands work only with QR or barcode systems and cannot accommodate an RFID tag insert.

Laminated wristbands, however, are more versatile: QR codes and barcodes can be printed onto a label insert, and an RFID tag can also be inserted within the band before lamination. Once sealed, both the label and RFID tag are securely enclosed within the wristband.

Inmates are classified based on factors such as history, crime, behavior, and other risk levels. To support these classifications, facilities can assign different colored wristbands to quickly identify and manage inmates according to their risk category.

While available colors vary by vendor, GUARDIAN RFID offers eight options: orange, white, teal, blue, purple, yellow, red, and black. This range provides facilities with greater flexibility and improves staff awareness of higher-risk inmates.

The durability of wristbands is dependent on a few factors:

• • Wristband type: Printed inmate wristbands generally last between three and five weeks with normal wear and tear. However, that time significantly decreases when inmates are more aggressive and determined to deliberately damage or remove their wristbands. When done correctly, laminated wristbands tend to hold up longer compared to printed wristbands.
  • Fastener type: The fastener used is typically either metal or plastic, with the metal fasteners being more durable than those made of plastic. A crimping tool is needed for the metal closures, making it difficult for inmate to tamper with their wristbands. Although not impossible to remove, using metal fasteners greatly increases wristband longevity. 
  • Lamination quality (if applicable): Even after lamination, the bordering ends of the band aren’t always fully sealed. There is also a hole punched into the wristband for the rivets that leaves room for water leakage. The bands should be laminated at 325℉, as temperatures too high or too low will cause poor lamination and decreased durability.

When printing inmate wristband information, users print the required details onto a sticker—GUARDIAN RFID uses an LX500 printer. Once the sticker is applied to the wristband, it can then be laminated to protect the information and provide added durability.

If the facility uses RFID technology, the RFID chip is placed inside the wristband before lamination. Running it through a laminator secures the chip in place while also extending the wristband’s lifespan. For best results, a 12” laminator is recommended for faster processing.

Using high-quality printers and laminators helps ensure inmate wristbands last longer.

When deciding which inmate tracking method best suits their facility, agencies should consider both the general behavior of their inmate population and the average length of stay, as these factors play a key role in determining the most effective option.

As for durability, ID cards can last several years when properly cared for, though their typical lifespan is 12 to 18 months—assuming inmates handle them responsibly. If bent, damaged, or misused, they may need replacement much sooner. Printed inmate wristbands, however, only last three to five weeks with normal wear and tear, which can be accelerated due to inmate misuse. 

Some factors that contribute to durability:

• • Exposure to moisture: Unlike ID cards, wristbands are not removable, so they often come into contact with hot water or weather conditions that create moisture that wears them down.
  • Printer quality: High-quality printers with lamination help preserve printed information and prevent fading. Lower-cost printers may reduce upfront expenses but typically result in more frequent reprints, adding to long-term costs.
  • Clear policies: Enforcing clear policies and consequences for tampering or misuse is critical. Prompt disciplinary action helps maintain accountability and reduces replacement rates over time.

Inmate identification transferability is one of the biggest safety and security concerns for any facility. When properly secured, wristbands pose very little risk of being transferred from one inmate to another. Applying fasteners tightly, laminating at the correct temperature, and fitting them “handcuff tight” ensures that wristbands remain secure. However, if any of these steps are overlooked, there is still a chance inmates could pass them off.

ID cards, on the other hand, are not physically secured to inmates, making them easier to lose or exchange. To reduce this risk, facilities should require inmates to wear their ID cards on the front of their uniforms using a durable clip, with rules in place to keep them visible at all times during waking hours. Strong policy enforcement is key: many jails discipline noncompliant inmates by limiting privileges such as commissary, visitation, or recreation. These consequences discourage attempts to exchange or conceal ID cards and reinforce inmate compliance.

Wristbands are inherently less transferable when properly applied, but with clear rules and consistent enforcement, ID cards can be managed securely and remain a reliable method of inmate identification.

Selecting the right inmate identification method is critical to maintaining safety, security, and operational efficiency in your facility. When making this choice, take into account your inmate population, facility policies, and data requirements. 

By investing in durable materials, enforcing clear procedures, and ensuring proper application, you can maximize reliability and security for any identification method. Ultimately, the most effective solution is one that aligns with your facility’s unique needs, workflows, and priorities, supporting smooth operations every day.