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Find Any Inmate in
California Jails

Search all 58 California county jail systems in one place. Get booking details, charges, bail amounts - or speak with a live person in minutes.

Select a county to search inmates

    Or call free: (916) 633-2220

    58
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    Select a county to search inmates

      Free 24/7: (916) 633-2220 · Calls may be answered by a licensed bail bond agent.

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      All 58 Counties
      Including rural & no-search counties
      California Jail System

      Understanding California's Jail and Prison System

      California operates one of the largest criminal justice systems in the world. Knowing how the pieces fit together tells you exactly where to look.

      58 County Jails

      Each of California's 58 counties operates its own jail managed by the county sheriff. County jails hold people awaiting trial, serving sentences under one year, and certain felons under AB 109. Each county has a separate inmate search system. This site links to all 58.

      35 CDCR State Prisons

      The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates 35 adult institutions housing approximately 95, 000 inmates. People convicted of serious, violent, or sex felonies serve their sentences in state prison, not county jail. Search CDCR at cdcr.ca.gov/ciris.

      Federal Facilities

      Federal crimes result in federal custody under the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). California has over a dozen federal facilities including MDC Los Angeles, FCI Dublin, and USP Victorville. Search the BOP system at bop.gov/inmateloc for federal inmates.

      ICE Detention

      Immigration arrests result in ICE detention at facilities separate from county jails. California ICE detention centers include Adelanto, Mesa Verde, and Golden State Annex. Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov using the person's A-Number or name.

      Not sure which system to search? Start with county jails, most arrests result in county booking first.

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      Immediate Steps

      What to Do After Locating Someone in a California Jail

      Once you've confirmed someone is in custody, time matters. Here are the four most important things to do immediately.

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      1. Find Out the Bail Amount

      The booking record shows the bail amount set. For most misdemeanors, bail is set automatically by the county bail schedule immediately after booking. For felonies, bail is formally set at arraignment within 48 hours. A bail bondsman can post bail for 10% of the total amount (non-refundable fee).

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      2. Note the Court Date

      The arraignment must occur within 48 hours of arrest. At arraignment, charges are formally read and bail is confirmed or modified. Missing arraignment means the person will be held until their case is heard. Get the exact court location, date, and time from the booking record or by calling the county courthouse.

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      3. Contact a Defense Attorney

      An attorney present at arraignment can argue for reduced bail and begin case preparation while evidence is fresh. The first 24 to 48 hours after arrest are the most critical window for legal intervention. If cost is a concern, contact the county Public Defender's office, public defenders are provided at no cost to those who qualify financially.

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      4. Set Up Communication

      Inmates can receive outbound calls from the facility's phone system, but families must first set up a prepaid account with the jail's contracted phone provider (GTL/ViaPath, Securus, or ICSolutions depending on the county). Setting up the account before the first call saves time and avoids the first call being missed.

      Why Inmate Find California

      Searching for a Loved One is Stressful Enough

      California's 58 counties each run different inmate systems - some online, many not. We bridge the gap, for free, around the clock.

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      All 58 Counties

      Every California county jail covered, including rural counties with no public online search system.

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      Fast Results

      Our team can locate an inmate across multiple county and state systems in under 10 minutes, even when sites are down.

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      Always Free

      No account, no fee, no obligation. Inmate Find California is a free public service. Period.

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      Live Phone Support

      Real people available around the clock. We search while you're on the phone and walk you through next steps.

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      Confidential

      Your search is private. We don't share your information or the details of your search with anyone.

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      Full Details

      Booking number, charges, bail amount, facility location, and court date, all in one call or page visit.

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      Bail Information

      Find out the exact bail amount set by the court so you can contact a licensed bail bondsman and start the release process quickly.

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      Court Date Lookup

      We help you find upcoming court dates, arraignment schedules, and which courthouse is handling the case, so you know what to expect next.

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      Recently Arrested

      If someone was just arrested, county booking systems update within hours. We know which counties have real-time rosters and which have delays.

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      State Prison vs County Jail

      Not sure if your person is in a county jail or a California state prison? We cover both - CDCR state facilities and all 58 county jails.

      Most Searched

      Top California County Jails

      View All 58 Counties →
      Los Angeles County Jail

      Los Angeles County Jail

      Men's Central Jail · Twin Towers · Pitchess · +4 more

      Search Inmates →
      San Diego County Jail

      San Diego County Jail

      Central Jail · Vista · Las Colinas · +2 more

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      Orange County Jail

      Orange County Jail

      Theo Lacy · Central Men's Jail · James A. Musick

      Search Inmates →
      Riverside County Jail

      Riverside County Jail

      Robert Presley · Larry D. Smith · Southwest DC

      Search Inmates →
      San Bernardino County Jail

      San Bernardino County Jail

      West Valley DC · High Desert DC · +2 more

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      Fresno County Jail

      Fresno County Jail

      Main Jail · North Annex · South Annex

      Search Inmates →
      Sacramento County Jail

      Sacramento County Jail

      Main Jail · Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center

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      Alameda County Jail

      Alameda County Jail

      Santa Rita Jail · Glenn E. Dyer, Oakland

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      Stanislaus County Jail

      Stanislaus County Jail

      Public Safety Center, Modesto

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      Kern County Jail

      Kern County Jail

      Downtown Jail · Lerdo Pre-Trial, Bakersfield

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      Merced County Jail

      Merced County Jail

      Main Jail · John Latorraca Correctional Facility

      Search Inmates →
      Monterey County Jail

      Monterey County Jail

      Natividad Road Detention Facility, Salinas

      Search Inmates →
      View All 58 California County Jails →
      Common Questions

      California Inmate Search: Frequently Asked Questions

      Start with the county jail roster for the county where the arrest occurred. Use the county directory on this page and click your county. Most California county jails update their online booking records every 2 to 8 hours, so a person arrested in the morning may not appear until the afternoon. If the arrest was very recent, call our free line and we will check multiple county systems simultaneously in real time.

      Start with the county where the person lives or where they were last known to be. If you cannot find them there, check neighboring counties. If still not found, consider whether they may be in a state prison (search CDCR at cdcr.ca.gov/ciris), a federal facility (search BOP at bop.gov/inmateloc), or ICE detention (search ICE at locator.ice.gov). Our free phone line searches all county systems simultaneously, which is the fastest approach when you are unsure.

      No. All official California county sheriff inmate search systems are free. This site is free. Our phone assistance line is free. You should never need to pay to search for a currently incarcerated person in a California county jail. Third-party websites that charge for inmate searches are accessing the same free public records that are available directly through official county sheriff websites.

      The bail amount is the total amount the court requires to release the person before trial. To post bail, you typically pay a licensed bail bondsman 10% of this amount as a non-refundable fee, and the bondsman guarantees the full amount to the court. For example, a $50, 000 bail requires a $5, 000 bondsman fee. Some people pay the full bail amount directly to the court in cash, which is fully refunded after the case resolves regardless of outcome.

      You cannot call directly into a jail to reach an inmate. Inmates initiate outbound calls through the facility's contracted phone system. To receive a call, you must set up a prepaid account with the jail's phone vendor before the first call. California county jails use GTL/ViaPath, Securus Technologies, or ICSolutions depending on the county. See your county page on this site for the specific provider and setup instructions.

      How It Works

      Finding Someone in a California Jail

      California's county jail systems run independently. Here's the fastest path from "I just heard" to confirmed location.

      1

      Know Where They Were Arrested

      The arrest county determines which jail to search. City police transfer to county jail within a few hours.

      2

      Select the County Above

      Each county page links to their official search or guides you to the best method for that county.

      3

      Allow Time for Booking

      Booking takes 4 - 12 hours. If they were just arrested, wait before searching - records won't show until booking completes.

      4

      Can't Find Them? Call Us Free

      Some counties have no public search. We check all 57 systems simultaneously. Call . We'll help you find the right search resource.

      Need Help Right Now?

      Use this site to find your county's official inmate search system - or call us free and a live agent will search every California county jail on your behalf, 24/7.

      📞 Call Free: (916) 633-2220 Browse All 58 Counties
      ⏱️
      Average Search Time: Under 10 Minutes

      Have the full legal name and approximate date of birth ready when you call.

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      After You Find Them

      What Happens After Arrest in California

      Understanding the process helps you take the right steps quickly.

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      Booking & Processing

      Fingerprinting, mugshot, warrant check, charge documentation. Takes 4 - 12 hours depending on the county.

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      Bail Is Set

      At arraignment within 48 hours, a judge sets bail. A bondsman posts it for roughly 10% of the total.

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      Arraignment & Plea

      The defendant hears charges and enters a plea. Having an attorney present makes the biggest difference here.

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      Release or Hold

      If bail is posted or OR release is granted, they go home. Otherwise they remain in custody pending trial.

      58
      California Counties
      150K+
      CA Bookings Per Year
      48 hrs
      Max Wait for Arraignment
      10%
      Typical Bail Bond Premium
      What Families Say

      Families Who Used Inmate Find California

      Real feedback from people who used this site to locate a loved one in a California county jail.

      ★★★★★

      "This site helped me a lot. I was able to find my brother within minutes of him being booked. The county search was easy to use."

      Maria T. - Los Angeles County
      ★★★★★

      "I learned something from this site. I did not know there were two different systems, county jail and state prison. That helped me know exactly where to look."

      James R. - Sacramento County
      ★★★★★

      "This site helped me get to the right person first. Instead of calling wrong numbers all morning, I had the correct jail information in under 5 minutes."

      Sandra M. - San Diego County
      ★★★★

      "Very helpful resource. Explained everything clearly including what to do after finding the person and how bail works. Saved me a lot of confusion."

      David K. - Fresno County
      ★★★★★ 4.8 / 5.0  ·  Based on verified user feedback
      About This Service

      How California Inmate Search Works

      When someone is arrested in California, they are held at a local police station before being transferred to the county jail - typically within a few hours. California's 58 county jail systems operate completely independently. Someone arrested in Fresno goes to Fresno County; someone in Modesto goes to Stanislaus County. Knowing which county to search is the critical first step.

      Booking Takes Time - Don't Panic

      The booking process takes 4 to 12 hours. If you don't find someone right away, wait a few hours and search again before assuming they aren't in the system.

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      Have These Ready Before You Call

      Full legal name, date of birth, county or city of arrest, and approximate time of arrest. These four pieces dramatically speed up any search.

      Once confirmed, write down their booking number - you'll need it for an attorney or bondsman. A California bail bondsman can secure release for 10% of the bail amount. Arraignment is required within 48 hours. Call us anytime at - free, 24/7.

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      California Jail – Right Now

      One call searches all 58 California county systems simultaneously. Real people. Real results. No hold music. No cost.

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      📞 (916) 633-2220 – Call Free 🔍 Search by County

      ⓘ Calls may be answered by a licensed bail bond agent.