Cookie Policy

What cookies are

Cookies are small text files or similar browser storage that a website or service can place on a device. They can help a site remember a setting, route a request, protect a service, measure performance, or deliver advertising. A cookie does not by itself tell JailScope who you are.

How JailScope works without an account

JailScope does not require an account, login, subscription, or member profile. The county directory and its search tools are designed to work without an account cookie. Search terms are sent as URL parameters so a matching page can be returned; they may appear in browser history, a shared link, or technical request logs rather than being saved in a JailScope profile.

Cookie categories

Necessary operation and security

Hosting, content delivery, load balancing, or security providers may use strictly necessary cookies or equivalent storage to route traffic, detect abuse, protect forms, preserve service availability, or remember a security choice. These technologies are used because the site cannot reliably operate or remain secure without them. The exact name and lifetime can vary by provider and deployment.

Preferences

Earlier versions stored a page-counting preference in jailscope.analytics-consent.v1 for up to 180 days. It contains only a choice and expiry time, not a visitor identifier, search terms, or inmate details. We continue to honor an existing saved decline until its recorded expiry. The current measurement code does not write new analytics preferences or visitor identifiers to browser storage.

Analytics and measurement

Vercel Web Analytics counts visits to approved directory and county guide pages without analytics cookies or a persistent identifier in your browser. Cookie-free counting starts after the initial page load unless a previous saved decline or a Global Privacy Control or Do Not Track signal keeps it off. Only approved page paths, exact published social campaign labels and a small fixed set of county-page action categories are sent. Unknown query values, click IDs, fragments, page titles, entered searches, inmate details, and user identifiers are excluded. Each action category is counted at most once per page load. External referrers with a path or query cause this measurement to be skipped. Vercel uses incoming connection information to derive a temporary visitor hash and discards its visitor session after 24 hours. Cookie-free does not mean that no network information is processed. Read Vercel’s privacy information.

The Google Analytics integration has been removed. No Google measurement tag or visit events are sent, including for visitors who previously allowed it. The _ga and _ga_* cookies from an earlier visit are removed when an updated page loads. Cookie-free counting does not create replacement analytics cookies.

Advertising

If JailScope displays Google AdSense or another advertising service, that provider and its partners may use advertising cookies or similar technologies to measure impressions, prevent fraud, limit repeated ads, and personalize advertising where permitted. Third-party vendors, including Google, may use information about visits to this site or other sites to serve ads according to a visitor’s choices and applicable law.

You can review Google’s information about data used on partner sites in Google’s partner-site privacy information, manage personalized advertising in Google Ads Settings, or review an industry opt-out choice at YourAdChoices.

Browser privacy settings

JailScope honors Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track. When your browser sends either supported signal, cookie-free measurement does not load. An existing saved decline is also honored until it expires. These protections do not affect access to the directory or change a county source record. Questions about privacy rights can be sent through the Contact page.

How to control cookies

Most browsers let you view, block, delete, or restrict cookies through their privacy settings. Blocking necessary cookies can prevent some pages or security features from working. Clearing cookies may also remove a saved consent or preference choice. Supported browser privacy signals continue to apply after site data is cleared.

Cookie and advertising choices are also described in the Privacy Policy. The privacy policy explains how technical logs, contact messages, and public source information are handled.

Third-party websites

County, sheriff, detention, court, analytics, advertising, and other websites linked from JailScope are operated by third parties. They may set their own cookies and follow different privacy practices after you leave this site. Review their policies before submitting information to them.

Policy changes and questions

We may update this Cookie Policy when the directory, hosting providers, analytics, advertising services, or legal requirements change. The version published on this page is the current version. Questions about cookies or consent can be sent to contact@jailscope.com.