California Inmate Search

Inmate records in California comprise numerous forms, documents, videos, pictures, audio clips, fingerprints, and other media documenting a person's criminal history and incarceration in jail or prison. They are official documents containing personal and administrative details regarding offenders incarcerated in state prisons, county jails, conservation camps, and city jails within California. Data in these records include identifying information such as the offender's full name, age, gender, date of birth, nationality, race, ethnicity, hair color, eye color, height, and weight.  

Administrative details in these records include the individual's booking date and time, arresting agency, criminal history, current charges, registration number, facility location, custody status, sentence information, bail or bond amount, court dates, and projected release date.  

According to the California Public Records Act, inmate records are publicly available. Hence, you can inspect or obtain these records from a record custodian upon request. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is the primary record custodian in California. You can also obtain these records from the county sheriff's office or local police department near you.  

Corrections System 

The California corrections system is the largest in the United States, housing more than 165000 incarcerated offenders. A vast majority of the offenders in this system serve time for non-violent crimes. California has 35 prisons spread across this extensive jurisdiction. One facility is used to treat offenders with substance abuse-related issues. Another is healthcare or medical office, and another is designed for rehabilitation. Furthermore, this state has 44 conservation or fire camps, 

Every county in California has a county jail, roughly 110 county jails. These jails house a total of about 82000 offenders.  

There are 13 federal prisons and eight federal prison camps in California under the Western Regional Office. These facilities house a total of 11235 incarcerated offenders. Additionally, California houses 7 ICE detention facilities.  

Here is how you can locate an inmate in the above facilities: 

State Offender Lookup 

CDCR maintains all records of inmates incarcerated in state prisons. For this reason, it allows you to conduct an inmate search using a handy inmate lookup tool on its official website. The "Inmate Locator" is a public service that promotes public safety and welfare while providing access to selected inmate information. This webpage requires you to read and accept the disclaimer by clicking the "Agree" button before searching. It is also essential to note that this search only returns adult offenders in custody. 

https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/search.aspxYou must submit the offender's CDCR Number or Last Name to search for an inmate. However, you can narrow your search by entering the First and Middle Name fields.  

County Jail Inmate Search 

County sheriff's offices typically operate and manage county jails in California. They usually house detainees awaiting trial or bond or offenders serving short sentences of less than a year. Most county jails maintain an online inmate roster available on designated sheriff's offices' official websites. These rosters contain a list of current inmates at the particular jail.  

Other jail facilities also provide an online inmate search tool similar to the DOC's tool. You only enter the inmate's full name and registration number. 

Federal Prisoner Search 

To locate an inmate in the federal prisons in California, visit the BOP website and click "Find an Inmate."   

ICE Detention Inmate Search 

Use the "Online Detainee Locator Systems" to search for loved ones detained in an ICE detention facility.