California Inmate Search: How to Find California Department of Corrections Inmates

California Inmate Search: How to Find California Department of Corrections Inmates


Inmate records are considered public information, under the California Public Records Act. Hence, by contacting the relevant corrections department, citizens and other people can find out who is being held in a California prison (for example, identify a person serving a life sentence) or find someone in jail. 

 

You may look for California inmates on third-party websites or through official government databases. To safeguard the rights of those who are incarcerated, to ensure public safety, or for other legal reasons, access to some California inmate data is prohibited. The medical history of a prisoner is one instance.


What information appears in a California inmate search?


A California inmate search can reveal details about those who are now detained in a state prison or county jail in the state. A California inmate search often yields information on the detainee's full name, birthdate, booking number, the facility where they are being kept, and the date of their anticipated release.


A California inmate search may also reveal the inmate's mugshot, physical description, aliases, criminal charges, and prior convictions. The search could also reveal any disciplinary measures or penalties imposed on the prisoner while they were detained, as well as information on their physical and mental health.


It's crucial to remember that depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the offender's case, the specific information that can be found in a California inmate search may differ. Due to security issues or privacy restrictions, some information may also be restricted or protected.

 

Arrested man in handcuffs with hands behind back


California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Search


The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) requires that you acquire specific information about the prisoner you are looking for before you may do an offline search for them. After you have this information, you can speak with the CDCR directly to find out where the prisoner is and how they are doing.


You can take the following actions:


* Collect the relevant data: The inmate's full name, CDCR identification number (if available), date of birth, and approximate date of incarceration must all be known to you.


* Call the CDCR: To find out the whereabouts and status of an inmate, call the CDCR's Identification Unit at (916) 445-6713. You must give them the details you acquired in step 1 of this process.


* In order to verify your link to the convict, the CDCR may require you to give further information, such as your full name, address, and phone number.


* Await a response: The CDCR will not tell just anyone where an inmate is or what their condition is. They will give you the details you asked for if they believe you have a good basis for wanting to know about the prisoner.


Know that the CDCR may not be able to give you all the information you require because of restrictions imposed by state and federal regulations regarding inmate privacy.

 

Woman's hand searching for documents at the filing cabinet


Inmate Search California Online Methods


You can search for inmates who are currently detained in California state prisons using the free online service provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Inmate Finder website. The website offers information about the inmates' current location, housing unit, and date of release. It is updated every day.


You must accept the website's disclaimer, which specifies the rules for using the service, in order to use the online inmate locator. You can input the inmate's name or CDCR number in the search forms after accepting the disclaimer, along with any additional search criteria like birth year, age range, and gender.


Following that, the website will show a list of prisoners who fit your search criteria. To discover further information, including an inmate's present location, housing unit, and expected release date, click on their name.


It's vital to remember that the website's information may not be comprehensive and that not all convicts in the state are listed in the online inmate finder. You can get assistance from the CDCR directly if you require more details about an inmate, such as their whole criminal history.


To use the system, follow these steps:


Visit the Inmate Locator website of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov, and there:

 

1. To proceed, read the disclaimer and click “I Agree.”
In the search fields, type the inmate's name or CDCR number. To get more specific results, you can also search by gender, age range, and birth year.
2. Wait for the search results to load before clicking "Search".
3. Analyze the search engine results. A list of prisoners who meet your search criteria will be shown in the search results. To discover further information, including the inmate's current location, housing unit, and expected release date, click on their name.
4. If you require additional information, get in touch with the CDCR. Contact the CDCR directly if you require more details about the prisoner, such as their whole criminal history.


Although the CDCR's online inmate directory is updated every day, not all inmates in the state may have their information there. You might try contacting the CDCR directly for help if you are unable to locate the prisoner you are looking for.

 

Young man using a laptop


Additional California inmate search methods:


VINELink: You can search for convicts in California and many other states around the US using this free web tool. Visit https://www.vinelink.com and choose "California" from the dropdown menu to utilize VINELink. You can sign up for updates when an inmate's status changes and search for prisoners by name or ID number.


JailExchange: A website called JailExchange offers details about detainees and jails all around the Nation, including those in California. Go to https://www.jailexchange.com/search/california/ and type the inmate's name or ID number to search for them. You can browse by county or conduct a search by the facility.


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