Indiana guidance. Status unknown, call to confirm.

Leaving prison or jail in Indiana

Start before your release date. Ask your Unit Team about ID papers, Medicaid and where you will stay. After release, turn your Medicaid on and register to vote again.

1. Step 1: Ask for ID papers before you leave

   IDOC policy says help getting release documents, such as a BMV ID, birth certificate and Social Security card, is part of intake. If you have no state ID or license, ask about the BMV site visit before release.

   • Indiana Department of Correction: Policy 01-07-101, Re-Entry Process (effective 9/11/2023) says: “obtaining release documentation (i.e. BMV ID, Birth Certificate, Social Security card, etc.) prior to release are included as part of the Intake process” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana Department of Correction: Policy 01-07-101, Re-Entry Process (effective 9/11/2023) says: “they should utilize the BMV site visit prior to release” (checked 2026-10-15)

2. Step 2: Know where late papers will be sent

   If a BMV ID, license, DD214 or birth certificate arrives after you leave, IDOC policy says the facility sends it to your release address or your supervising agency. Ask your Unit Team where yours will go.

   • Indiana Department of Correction: Policy 01-07-101, Re-Entry Process (effective 9/11/2023) says: “BMV ID/Operator’s Licenses, DD214 and Birth Certificates – the releasing facility will forward the document to the incarcerated individual’s releasing address or their supervising agency” (checked 2026-10-15)

3. Step 3: Ask your Unit Team where you will stay

   If you are released to parole, IDOC policy says your Unit Team contacts your Parole Agent about where you will stay. Ask what the plan is and write down who to call.

   • Indiana Department of Correction: Policy 01-07-101, Re-Entry Process (effective 9/11/2023) says: “If the incarcerated individual is being released to parole, the Unit Team staff are to contact the Parole Agent” (checked 2026-10-15)

4. Step 4: Apply for Medicaid before release

   If you are held in a county jail for 30 days or more, the jail must help you apply for Medicaid. You can also apply by phone with DFR at 1-800-403-0864.

   • Indiana Health Coverage Programs: Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Medicaid and Inmates (March 2026) says: “If the offender is incarcerated for 30 days or more, assistance is mandatory.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana Medicaid: Apply for Coverage says: “To apply by phone, call DFR at 1-800-403-0864.” (checked 2026-10-15)

5. Step 5: Turn your Medicaid on after release

   Medicaid is put on hold while you are in custody. After release, follow the steps on your suspended notice to turn your coverage back on. Keep that notice.

   • Indiana Health Coverage Programs: Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Medicaid and Inmates (March 2026) says: “Members’ Medicaid coverage will be suspended while they are in custody.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana Health Coverage Programs: Medicaid for Incarcerated Individuals training (February 2026) says: “The prisoner MUST follow instructions on the suspended notice to reinstate (“activate”) their healthcare coverage upon release!” (checked 2026-10-15)

6. Step 6: Register to vote again

   Your voter registration does not come back on its own. Once you are out of prison you can register again, even on probation, parole or home detention.

   • Indiana Election Division: 2026 Indiana Voter Registration Guidebook says: “A disenfranchised voter’s registration is not automatically restored in Indiana.” (checked 2026-10-15)
   • Indiana Election Division: 2026 Indiana Voter Registration Guidebook says: “the individual may register to vote, even if the person is on probation, parole, or home detention” (checked 2026-10-15)

Status unknown, call to confirm. Release plans, office hours and coverage change. Check your release papers and call before you go.

• Indiana Department of Correction: Policy 01-07-101, Re-Entry Process (effective 9/11/2023) says: “If the incarcerated individual is being released to parole, the Unit Team staff are to contact the Parole Agent” (checked 2026-10-15)
• Indiana Medicaid: Apply for Coverage says: “To apply by phone, call DFR at 1-800-403-0864.” (checked 2026-10-15)

Not legal advice. The agency or program decides what applies to your situation.