Search all 35 CDCR adult institutions across California. Find state prison inmates, facility locations, and understand the difference between county jail and state prison.
If you cannot find someone in a county jail search, they may have been sentenced and transferred to a CDCR state prison. Understanding the difference determines which system to search.
If the person was recently arrested (within the last few months), start with a county jail search. If they were convicted and sentenced more than a year ago, search CDCR. Still not sure? Call us at (916) 633-2220 - we check both systems simultaneously.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates 35 adult institutions housing approximately 95, 000 inmates. The official CDCR inmate locator searches all facilities simultaneously by name or CDCR number.
California operates 35 adult institutions. The facilities below house the largest populations. For the complete directory, visit cdcr.ca.gov.
CDCR operates 35 adult institutions. For the complete list: cdcr.ca.gov/facilities-locator
California's 2011 Public Safety Realignment Act (AB 109) fundamentally changed who goes to state prison and who stays in county jail. Understanding this is essential for locating someone in the system.
Before 2011, most felony convictions meant a sentence to CDCR state prison. AB 109 shifted responsibility for "non-non-non" offenders, non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offense felons, to county jails. These individuals now serve their sentences locally rather than in state prison.
This means someone convicted of certain drug offenses, property crimes, or lower-level felonies may be housed in a county jail for their entire sentence, even if that sentence is several years long. They are called "1170(h)" inmates after the relevant code section.
If you cannot find someone in the CDCR system, they may be serving a felony sentence in county jail under AB 109 rather than being transferred to state prison.
CDCR receives individuals convicted of: serious felonies (listed in PC 1192.7), violent felonies (listed in PC 667.5), sex offenses requiring registration under PC 290, and anyone with a prior strike conviction. CDCR also receives people whose probation has been revoked from county supervision under Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS).
Understanding what happens when someone is released from CDCR is important for families planning for a loved one's return.
Most state prison inmates are released on parole, which means supervised release in the community. Parole in California typically lasts 3 years for most felonies, up to 5 years for violent offenses. Parolees are assigned to a parole agent in the county where they plan to live. Parole violations can result in return to prison without a new trial.
CDCR operates Reentry Hubs at various locations statewide and contracts with Residential Multiservice Centers (RMSCs) to provide transitional housing for parolees who have no other housing. Contact the CDCR Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) at (916) 255-2758 to find reentry resources in a specific county.
The CDCR inmate locator displays a Minimum Eligible Parole Date (MEPD) or Earliest Possible Release Date (EPRD) for most inmates. These dates can change based on good behavior credits, disciplinary actions, and changes in law. The displayed date is an estimate, confirm the actual release date by calling the facility directly at least 30 days in advance.
CDCR maintains a public inmate locator that searches all 35 institutions simultaneously. Here is the fastest way to find a state prison inmate.
Visit cdcr.ca.gov and use the Inmate Locator. Search by full legal name or CDCR number. Results show current facility, admission date, and projected release date.
CDCR's public information line (877) 256-6877 is available Monday through Friday during business hours. Have the person's full name and CDCR number ready if possible.
If you cannot find someone in the CDCR system, they may still be in a county jail or have been recently transferred. Call - we check both systems simultaneously.
The official CDCR website provides a free public inmate search covering all 35 adult institutions. Search by name or CDCR number.
Open CDCR Locator âWe search both county jails and CDCR state prisons simultaneously. Free, 24 hours a day.
đ (916) 633-2220Use the CDCR Inmate Locator at cdcr.ca.gov/ciris. Search by first name, last name, and CDCR number if you have it. The locator shows current facility, admission date, and projected release date. If the person was recently sentenced they may not appear for several days while in transit from county jail to a reception center.
County jails hold people awaiting trial or serving sentences under one year. State prisons hold people convicted of felonies with sentences over one year. A person stays in county jail until sentencing, then transfers to a CDCR reception center. If you cannot find someone in a county jail roster, it may mean they have already been transferred to state custody and should be searched in the CDCR system instead.
Reception centers are intake facilities where newly sentenced inmates are processed for 60 to 90 days. They receive medical and mental health evaluations, educational assessments, and security classification before being assigned to a permanent facility. California reception centers include CIM Chino for Southern California men, Deuel Vocational Institution for Northern California men, and CCWF Chowchilla for women.
Yes. Submit a Visitor Questionnaire (CDCR Form 106) to the inmate's facility. Approval takes 4 to 6 weeks. Bring valid photo ID to visits. Most CDCR facilities offer both in-person contact visits and video visits. Visiting privileges can be suspended for rule violations. Check cdcr.ca.gov for each facility's specific visiting schedule and rules.
CDCR inmates use the JPay system. Send funds at jpay.com, through the JPay app, or at MoneyGram locations. You need the inmate's CDCR number and full legal name. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days. Trust account funds are used for commissary, phone calls, and approved purchases.
CDCR classifies inmates Levels I through V based on offense severity, criminal history, and other factors. Level I is minimum security camps. Levels II and III are medium security. Level IV is high security. Level V covers the most serious cases. Classification is determined at the reception center after initial intake processing.