Homer Inmate Population Lookup
Searching the Homer inmate population starts with the Homer Community Jail for short-term holds and the Wildwood Correctional Complex in Kenai for longer-term incarceration. Homer is part of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the Alaska DOC handles all correctional operations in the area. This page covers the facilities, local law enforcement contacts, and the online tools available for Homer inmate records searches.
Homer Overview
Homer Community Jail and Wildwood Correctional Complex
Homer has a community jail that handles short-term holding for people arrested within the city. The Homer Community Jail can be reached at (907) 235-4158. It is a temporary holding facility, not a full correctional institution. People held there are typically awaiting initial court appearances, transport, or release on bail.
For longer stays, inmates from Homer are transferred to the Wildwood Correctional Complex in Kenai, located about 75 miles north. Wildwood sits at 10 Chugach Avenue, Kenai, AK 99611, and operates at (907) 260-7200. The Wildwood Pre-Trial Facility at 5 Chugach Avenue handles people waiting for trial. Both are run by the Alaska Department of Corrections as part of the unified state system. An inmate booked in Homer may be at either location depending on the stage of their case and their security classification.
| Homer Community Jail | (907) 235-4158 |
|---|---|
| Wildwood CC | 10 Chugach Ave, Kenai, AK 99611 |
| Wildwood Phone | (907) 260-7200 |
| Wildwood Pre-Trial | 5 Chugach Ave, Kenai, AK 99611 |
| Operator | Alaska Department of Corrections |
Note: Homer Community Jail is a short-term hold only. Most sentenced Homer inmates are transferred to Wildwood.
Homer Police Department Arrests and Records
The Homer Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. In 2022, HPD made 270 adult arrests and 5 juvenile arrests. The department's main number is (907) 235-3150. Most arrest records become part of the public file once charges are filed in district court.
For records requests, Homer residents should contact HPD directly. The Alaska Public Records Act gives agencies 10 working days to respond. Some records, like active investigations, will not be released. The Homer News at https://www.homernews.com/ frequently covers local arrests and court cases, and its archives can help you find publicly reported information about Homer inmate population activity before you file a formal records request with HPD.
Outside city limits, Alaska State Troopers cover the surrounding Kenai Peninsula area. Trooper arrest records go through DPS rather than the Homer Police Department. Court filings at the Homer district court will name the arresting agency, which helps identify who holds the relevant records.
The City of Homer's official website at https://www.homeralaska.org/ has department contacts and current information about how to reach the police department records unit.
The Homer News local coverage is a useful reference for recent Homer arrest and inmate news before requesting official records.
Local news archives at the Homer News include public-record arrest information that can help identify which agencies or facilities to contact for a specific Homer inmate search.
VINE Lookup for Homer Inmates
VINE is free, runs 24/7, and covers all Alaska DOC facilities including Wildwood. To search, visit https://www.vinelink.com/ or call 1-800-247-9763. A TTY line at 1-866-847-1298 is available. You only need the person's name. VINE shows whether they are in custody and at which facility.
You can also sign up for automatic notifications through VINE. If a Homer inmate's custody status changes, such as a transfer from Homer Community Jail to Wildwood, or a release, VINE will notify registered contacts. This is a practical tool for families in Homer who need to track someone's case without driving to Kenai to check in person.
For court records, CourtView at https://courts.alaska.gov/trialcourts/cvinfo.htm shows all public case filings for Homer-area cases. This includes charge details, hearing dates, and sentencing information for cases handled in the Homer district court. You don't need to visit the courthouse to access this.
Public Records Requests in Homer
The Alaska Public Records Act, AS 40.25.100-295, covers all Homer city agencies and state agencies operating in the area. You can read the full act at https://law.alaska.gov/doclibrary/APRA.html. Any person can ask for records without needing to state a reason.
Put your request in writing and be specific about what you want. The Homer Police Department handles requests for local arrest records. Requests for state agency records, such as DOC inmate files, go to the relevant DOC facility or central office. Agencies may charge fees but must tell you the cost estimate first. Denials must cite a specific statutory exemption. Challenging a denial is done through the courts.
The city's official site at https://www.homeralaska.org/ has current contact details for city departments. Starting there ensures you send your request to the right person.
The City of Homer's website provides department contacts for submitting records requests related to Homer inmate and arrest information.
Note: Records for incidents outside city limits are held by Alaska State Troopers, not the Homer Police Department.
Criminal History and DPS Records for Homer
Under AS 12.62.160, any person can request criminal justice records from Alaska state agencies. The DPS Records and Identification Bureau at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, phone (907) 269-5767, handles these. A name-based check is $20. A fingerprint-based check is $35 and gives a more complete record.
For Homer cases, DPS records can show the full scope of a person's criminal history in Alaska, while CourtView gives case-level detail. Using both gives the most thorough picture. Alaska statute references can be found at https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp.
Victim Services for Homer Cases
VINE registration is available to anyone who wants automatic updates about a Homer inmate. Call 1-800-247-9763 or visit https://www.vinelink.com/. Registration is free and private. You can set up phone, text, or email notifications for any change in an inmate's status.
The DOC Victim Service Unit at 877-741-0741 is an additional resource for victims with questions about a specific Homer case or the notification process. The Alaska Violent Crimes Compensation Board at https://vccb.alaska.gov/victim-notification/ covers statewide victim notification services, including those relevant to Homer and Kenai Peninsula cases. These services help victims stay informed without needing to contact facilities directly.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Inmate Population
Homer is within the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and the Wildwood Correctional Complex in Kenai serves the entire borough. For borough-wide inmate population information and additional resources, visit the borough page.
Nearby Cities
Other Kenai Peninsula communities with inmate population pages are listed below.