Prairieland Detention Center Inmate Search & Info
Prairieland Detention Center Detainee Search, Visitation & ICE Case Information
Searching for a Prairieland Detention Center inmate actually means locating a person in ICE immigration custody. Use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator first, then this guide for contact, visitation, bond, court, messaging, mail and legal-help steps.
Prairieland Detention Center Quick Facts
Prairieland is not a county jail. It is an immigration detention facility used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and overseen through ICE’s Dallas Field Office.
Also commonly searched as Prairieland Detention Center.
Alvarado, TX 76009
Field Office phone: 972-367-2200.
Is Prairieland a Jail or Immigration Detention Center?
Prairieland holds adult immigration detainees rather than functioning as a normal county criminal jail. ICE records show both male and female detainees are held there across multiple security classifications.
ICE inspection records identify the City of Alvarado as facility owner and LaSalle Corrections as the operator. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations maintains oversight through its Dallas Field Office.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Facility operations are contracted to LaSalle.
Do not use a county inmate roster to search for ICE custody here.
How to Find Someone at Prairieland Detention Center
ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System is the correct search tool. It can locate people currently in ICE custody and certain people who have been in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody for more than 48 hours.
Search by A-Number
ICE recommends A-Number search when you know it. The A-Number must be entered as nine digits.
If the number contains only eight digits, add a zero at the beginning. You must also choose the correct country of birth.
Search by Biographical Information
Enter the person’s first name, last name and country of birth. Date of birth can help narrow the search.
ICE says names must match exactly, including hyphenated surnames.
Open the ICE detainee locator
Use the federal locator rather than a third-party inmate directory.
Use the A-Number when available
Enter all nine digits and select the person’s country of birth.
If needed, search by exact name
Use the person’s legal first and last name exactly as ICE may have recorded them.
Confirm Prairieland as the location
Do not assume a person is still at Prairieland if ICE shows another facility.
Save the A-Number
You will often need it for immigration-court, legal, mail and facility communications.
Search Tips That Matter With the ICE Locator
- Use the exact legal first name.
- Use the complete last name.
- Include the hyphen in a hyphenated surname.
- Select the correct country of birth.
- Add a leading zero to an 8-digit A-Number.
- Do not use the locator for a person under age 18.
An ICE example explains that a search for “John Doe” will not find “Jon Doe” or “John Doe-Smith.” Try the spelling used on immigration documents.
Detainee Not Showing in ICE Search?
A missing result can happen because of spelling, a transfer, recent processing or an incorrect country of birth. Use this order before assuming the person is not in ICE custody.
Call Prairieland
Facility staff can provide detainee information at 817-409-3995. ICE says this line is available 24 hours a day for detainee-information inquiries.
Call ICE’s Detainee Reporting and Information Line
1-888-351-4024ICE says live operators are available Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time.
What to Have Ready Before Calling Prairieland
ICE specifically asks callers to have enough biographical information to identify the detainee correctly.
Include first, last and any hyphenated surname.
Have any other names the person may use.
Use the complete date if known.
This is also required in the ICE locator.
Have the nine-digit Alien Registration Number when available.
Ask about custody, transfer, visit, urgent message or another specific issue.
You Found the Detainee. What Should You Check Next?
Immigration detention works differently from a county jail case. Focus on the immigration case, ICE custody status and access to the detainee.
It is the key identifier used across ICE and EOIR systems.
Look for the hearing date, court location and available case status.
Immigration bond is separate from a county criminal bail process.
Incoming calls are not available, but urgent messages and tablets are supported.
Friends and family visits must be arranged in advance.
EOIR publishes free and low-cost legal-service resources.
How to Check a Prairieland Immigration Court Case
Detention location and immigration-court status are separate systems. Use EOIR’s Automated Case Information system for available court information.
Get the detainee’s A-Number
The court’s automated system uses the Alien Registration Number as the case identifier.
Open EOIR Automated Case Information
Enter the A-Number and nationality to check information available in the system.
Review the next hearing
Available information can include the hearing date, time, location and certain immigration judge decisions.
Use the official hearing notice when there is a conflict
EOIR states that court notices are the official source for hearing information.
EOIR says its automated case-information hotline does not provide immigration bond-proceeding information. Contact the court or legal representative for bond-hearing details.
Prairieland ICE Bond Information
Immigration bond is not the same as criminal bail. ICE describes a delivery bond as a bond used when a person is in ICE custody and has been placed into removal proceedings.
Do not assume every ICE detainee has a bond or that the amount shown in older paperwork is still current.
The Prairieland facility page provides the official route for posting a delivery bond.
Verify any immigration-bond request through ICE or the detainee’s verified attorney before transferring money.
Prairieland Detention Center Visitation
Friends and family visits must be scheduled in advance. ICE currently directs visitors to request scheduling by email.
| Detainee classification | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Low / Medium Low | Monday & Wednesday | 8:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:00 PM–6:00 PM |
| High / Medium High | Tuesday & Thursday | 8:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:00 PM–6:00 PM |
| Female Low / Medium Low | Friday | 8:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:00 PM–6:00 PM |
| Female High / Medium High | Saturday | 8:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:00 PM–6:00 PM |
| Special Visits | Sunday | 8:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:00 PM–6:00 PM |
Before entering the visitation area
- Adults need valid government-issued identification.
- Minors must stay with an adult guardian.
- Visitors are subject to security screening.
- No firearms or weapons are permitted.
- No electronic devices are allowed in secure areas.
- Visitors cannot pass items to detainees.
ICE says family and social visits at Prairieland are contact visits. A visitor who appears intoxicated or refuses a reasonable search will not be admitted.
ICE states that visitation schedules can change because of security, operational needs or facility conditions.
Phone Calls, Urgent Messages and Tablets
Detainees cannot receive ordinary incoming calls. Prairieland does provide a way for family members to leave an urgent message.
Detainees cannot receive standard incoming telephone calls.
ICE states that Prairieland has tablets for non-confidential electronic messages.
For an urgent message, provide:
- Detainee’s full name
- Detainee’s A-Number
- Your name
- Your callback phone number
Facility staff will give the message to the detainee. This is a message service, not a direct incoming call.
GettingOutSending Mail to a Prairieland Detainee
ICE allows detainees to send and receive correspondence. Incoming letters are screened for contraband and must contain identifying information.
1209 Sunflower Lane
Alvarado, TX 76009
Include these details
- Detainee’s full name
- Last four digits of the detainee’s A-Number
- Sender’s full name
- Sender’s return address
ICE’s facility page gives the facility address and mail-identification rules but does not separately display a special social-mail address.
ICE says incoming mail is inspected for contraband but is not read during the opening inspection. Outgoing mail is routed to the postal service within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff.
Detainees can buy stamps. ICE also says indigent detainees may receive a government-funded postage allowance.
Can You Send Money to a Prairieland Detainee?
ICE states that if funds arrive in the mail, staff take them to processing for placement into the detainee’s account and provide a receipt.
ICE specifically cautions detainees against having cash sent through the mail.
Facility inspection records also show that detainees have access to commissary services. Because payment vendors and deposit methods can change, confirm the current deposit method at 817-409-3995 before sending funds.
Packages, Clothing and Travel Items
Do not send a package without approval. ICE states that items needed specifically for travel or release require approval from the ICE Deportation Officer.
Removal luggage
ICE says a detainee being removed from the United States may have one small piece of luggage.
If the detainee has no baggage, a 40-pound bag may be sent or delivered after approval.
Do not send electronics
ICE specifically lists items such as cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers and radios as unacceptable.
Attorney and Legal Visits
Legal visits follow different rules from family visits. ICE states that in-person legal visitation does not require advance scheduling and is handled first come, first served.
ICE recommends arriving before 2:45 PM because facility count begins at 3:00 PM.
Published legal-visitation period.
Virtual legal visits
Attorneys and accredited representatives request confidential video conferences or legal calls through ICE ERO eFile.
| Day | Available periods |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 8:00–9:00 AM and 10:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Weekend | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Free or Low-Cost Immigration Legal Help
The Executive Office for Immigration Review maintains an official list of pro bono legal-service providers. Its July 2026 list includes organizations serving people detained at Prairieland.
The current EOIR list says its Fort Worth office accepts immigration matters, including cases involving people detained at Prairieland.
EOIR lists the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration as a resource for detained respondents seeking pro se assistance.
Use the current DOJ pro bono list instead of relying on an old attorney or nonprofit directory.
Transferred or No Longer at Prairieland?
ICE can move detainees between facilities. If a person is no longer at Prairieland, repeat the federal locator search before assuming the person was released.
Search ICE Locator again
The facility shown in the locator may change after a transfer.
Call Prairieland
Ask whether the person was transferred and whether staff can provide the current custody destination.
Call ICE DRIL
Use 1-888-351-4024 when custody information remains unresolved.
Recheck the immigration case
A transfer does not automatically mean the EOIR hearing location or case status changed.
ICE Custody and Criminal Custody Are Different
| Situation | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Person detained by ICE | ICE Online Detainee Locator System |
| Immigration hearing | EOIR Automated Case Information |
| ICE delivery bond | ICE bond process |
| Texas criminal arrest | County or city jail system handling the criminal case |
| Federal criminal prisoner | Federal Bureau of Prisons locator when applicable |
A person can have an immigration case and a separate criminal case. The ICE detainee locator does not replace county, state or federal criminal court records.
Need ICE Records Rather Than Live Custody Information?
ICE provides a Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act process for requesting agency records. This is different from locating a detainee or checking an immigration hearing.
Do not use FOIA as the first step for an urgent custody-location question.
How to Report a Detention Problem or Complaint
ICE publishes several channels for problems involving detention, facility treatment or staff conduct.
ICE also publishes 1-833-4ICE-OPR for its Office of Professional Responsibility Integrity Coordination Center.
Parking and Accessibility
ICE states that free public parking is available and designated visitor parking is marked.
ICE lists Prairieland as compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act for individuals with special needs.
Prairieland Detention Center Location
The facility is located at 1209 Sunflower Lane in Alvarado, Texas. Schedule a family visit before traveling rather than arriving without confirmation.
Official Prairieland and ICE Resources
Use these services when you need live custody data, a case status, a visit, legal access or an agency transaction.
Find a person currently in ICE custody.
Facility contact, visitation, legal, mail and complaint information.
Check available immigration-court case information using the A-Number.
Current official list of free immigration legal-service organizations.
ICE identifies this service for Prairieland tablet messaging.
Legal representatives use this system for G-28 and legal-access functions.
Prairieland Detention Center FAQs
How do I search for an inmate at Prairieland Detention Center?
Prairieland is an ICE immigration detention facility, so use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System rather than a county inmate roster.
What is Prairieland Detention Center’s phone number?
ICE lists 817-409-3995 as the facility’s main phone number and says detainee-information calls are accepted 24 hours a day.
Where is Prairieland Detention Center?
The facility is at 1209 Sunflower Lane, Alvarado, TX 76009.
Is Prairieland a county jail?
No. Prairieland is used for adult immigration detainees in ICE custody and falls under ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations’ Dallas Field Office.
Who operates Prairieland Detention Center?
ICE inspection records identify the City of Alvarado as owner and LaSalle Corrections as the facility operator.
Can I search by A-Number?
Yes. ICE recommends searching by A-Number when it is known. Enter nine digits and select the detainee’s correct country of birth.
What if the A-Number has only eight digits?
ICE instructs users to add a zero at the beginning so the A-Number contains nine digits.
Why can’t I find someone by name?
ICE requires exact first and last name matching. Check spelling, hyphens and country of birth, or search by A-Number if available.
Can the ICE detainee locator search for a child?
No. ICE states that its Online Detainee Locator System cannot search records for people under 18.
What should I do if ICE’s locator shows no result?
Recheck the exact name, A-Number and country of birth. Then call Prairieland at 817-409-3995 or ICE’s Detainee Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024.
Can I call a Prairieland detainee directly?
Detainees cannot receive ordinary incoming calls. They use the facility communication system to make outbound calls.
How do I leave an urgent message for a detainee?
Call 817-409-3995 and provide the detainee’s full name and A-Number plus your name and callback number. Facility staff will give the detainee the message.
Can I send electronic messages to a Prairieland detainee?
Yes. ICE states that Prairieland has tablets and directs families to GettingOut for non-confidential messaging information.
How do I schedule a family visit?
Friends and family visits must be arranged in advance. ICE currently lists Pdcvisitation@lasallecorrections.com as the scheduling email.
What days can family members visit?
The day depends on the detainee’s classification. ICE currently lists Monday through Saturday classification-based visits and Sunday for special visits.
Do I need identification to visit?
Yes. Adult visitors must present valid, verifiable government-issued identification.
Can children visit a detainee?
Minors can visit but must remain accompanied by an adult guardian who is at least 18 years old.
Can I bring my phone into the visitation area?
ICE says electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers and radios are not allowed in secure areas.
How do I check a Prairieland immigration court case?
Use EOIR’s Automated Case Information system with the detainee’s A-Number, or call 1-800-898-7180.
Does the EOIR case-status system show immigration bond hearings?
No. EOIR states that its automated system does not provide bond-proceeding information. Contact the immigration court or a legal representative for bond-hearing details.
How do I post bond for a Prairieland detainee?
First confirm that an immigration delivery bond has been set and verify the amount. Then follow the current ICE bond instructions linked from Prairieland’s official facility page.
How do I send mail to Prairieland?
ICE lists the facility at 1209 Sunflower Lane, Alvarado, TX 76009. Letters must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-Number plus the sender’s name and return address.
Can I send cash in a letter?
ICE specifically cautions against sending cash through the mail. Confirm the current approved funding method with the facility.
What happens to mail after a detainee is transferred?
ICE says legal mail is forwarded to the detainee. General correspondence is normally returned to the sender.
Can I send clothing or luggage?
Travel or release items require approval from the ICE Deportation Officer. ICE says a 40-pound bag may be sent for removal travel after approval when the detainee has no baggage.
When can an attorney visit Prairieland?
ICE currently lists in-person legal visits Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM and weekends and holidays from 8 AM to noon.
Can an attorney arrange a confidential video visit?
Yes. Legal representatives can request virtual attorney visits and confidential legal calls through ICE ERO eFile.
How can an attorney identify the Deportation Officer?
ICE publishes Dallas.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov for Prairieland case communications. A Form G-28 must be on file before protected information can be disclosed.
How do I report a serious detention problem?
You can contact Prairieland at 817-409-3995 or ICE’s Detainee Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024. ICE also publishes additional complaint channels for misconduct.
Does Prairieland have free parking?
Yes. ICE says free public parking is available and visitor parking spaces are marked.
Detainee search, contact, visitation, court, bond, mail, legal-access and complaint information was checked against ICE, EOIR and current Department of Justice resources.
ICE detention locations, visitor schedules, communication services and case status can change. Recheck the live federal resource before traveling or completing a time-sensitive transaction.
Federal-source review completedCountyDetentionCenter.org is an independent informational website. It is not operated by ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, Prairieland Detention Facility, LaSalle Corrections or the City of Alvarado.
This page provides general informational guidance and does not provide legal advice. Immigration detention does not by itself establish criminal guilt.