CDCR Inmate Locator

The purpose of this guide is to help you quickly understand the CDCR Inmate Locator—formally called the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS)—so you can find accurate information about a person held by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. You’ll learn what the locator shows, step-by-step instructions for looking someone up, tips for getting better results, essential cautions straight from the official disclaimer, and what to do if you can’t find who you’re searching for. You’ll also see where the Inmate Locator fits alongside related CDCR services like visitation, parole hearings, and facility information.

Make Sense of the CDCR Inmate Locator (CIRIS)

The CDCR Inmate Locator is a public-facing search tool that returns selected information about incarcerated people currently in state custody. When you launch the official California Incarcerated Records and Information Search, you’ll first accept a terms notice; after that, you can run a name-based search to view fields such as CDCR number, age, current location, commitment county, admission date, and (when applicable) Board of Parole Hearings dates and outcomes. To begin, open the state’s official search page via the CIRIS search portal.

What CIRIS shows you—and what it doesn’t

CIRIS is designed as a public safety and information service, not a certified record. The results page summarizes key custody details; it does not replace court documents, certified prison records, or local jail systems. Information about some incarcerated persons isn’t posted in the database, and the details shown may occasionally contain errors or omissions. If you require conviction information or certified records, the appropriate source is the court of jurisdiction or CDCR’s public records process, not the search results page.

Step-by-Step: Run a Smart Search in CIRIS

Start with the official portal and accept the disclaimer

Open the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search and read the disclaimer carefully. You must click “Agree” to proceed. This page outlines user responsibilities, warns about possible mistakes in the dataset, and emphasizes that misuse of the information may lead to civil or criminal liability.

Enter the most reliable identifiers you have

CDCR number (best) or full legal name: If you know the person’s CDCR number, use it. If you only know a name, enter first and last name, then try a search with and without a middle name or suffix if you don’t get a match.

Be mindful of spelling: A single misspelling can return no results. Re-check hyphenations, apostrophes, and common variants.

Use partial name strategies cautiously: If you only know part of the name, start with the last name and the first initial, then review potential matches carefully to avoid misidentification.

Review the results page thoroughly

When results appear, click into the profile entry to see fields such as:

CDCR number (primary identifier)
Age
Current location (institution)
Commitment county
Admission date
Board of Parole Hearings dates and outcomes, when applicable

Because names can be similar, match multiple fields—CDCR number, age range, admission date, and institution—to reduce the risk of mistaken identity.

If nothing comes up, try these fixes

Widen the name inputs (e.g., omit middle name or suffix).

Reverse name order if you’re unsure of how they’re stored.

Check alternate spellings (Márquez vs. Marquez, O’Neil vs. Oneil).

Confirm custody type: County jails, federal prisons, and other jurisdictions aren’t included in this state database. If the person is in county custody only, they will not appear here.

Ask CDCR for help: If you still can’t locate someone you believe is in state custody, contact the Identification Unit during business hours (details listed at the end of this article).

Use It Carefully: The Official Disclaimer in Plain Language

Before you search, the portal displays a legally binding disclaimer. Here are the practical takeaways you need to keep top of mind:

Not an official record: CIRIS is an informational service; it may have errors or omissions and might not reflect the current name, age, CDCR number, location, admission date, or parole eligibility date at every moment.

Partial coverage: Not all incarcerated persons are listed in the website results.

No reliance for legal decisions: Do not rely on CIRIS when making legal, employment, housing, or similar decisions that require certified, up-to-date records.

Mistaken identity can happen: Relying solely on name or age can lead to misidentification. Use multiple matching points (CDCR number, institution, admission date) and proceed cautiously.

Misuse has consequences: Improper use, attempts to alter content, or certain data uses could bring criminal prosecution and/or civil liability. You accept those risks when you click “Agree.”

If you need conviction details: Request them from the court of jurisdiction or pursue a CDCR public records request through the official portal linked below in this guide.

When the Locator Is Just the First Step

Finding a person in CIRIS is often the beginning of a longer process. Depending on your needs—visiting, sending funds, tracking parole hearings, or confirming a facility—you’ll likely use additional official services and pages. The sections below show how the Locator fits into the larger CDCR system.

Confirm the facility: Move from locator to facility details

After CIRIS shows a current institution, use CDCR’s Facility Locator to learn more about that prison or youth facility’s location, programs, approved contact methods, and mail or visiting rules. For direct phone contacts, the department maintains Adult Facility Addresses & Numbers so you can reach an institution if you need location-specific information that isn’t displayed in the public search tool.

Plan a visit: From a confirmed location to a scheduled visit

Visiting policies, ID requirements, and scheduling procedures are managed centrally and at the institution level. Start at Visitation Information for general rules, eligibility, and forms. If you expect to book online, follow How to schedule a video visit using VSA. For on-the-ground help, every institution has designated points of contact; use the Visiting Sergeant/Lieutenant phone list to reach the correct office when questions come up about confirmation, dress code, or day-of-visit issues.

Understand parole hearing timelines that may appear in CIRIS

Search results may display upcoming or past Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) dates. For a plain-English overview of what those hearings cover and how suitability decisions are made, review Parole suitability hearings overview. CIRIS isn’t the scheduling authority; it only reports dates and outcomes. If you’re a victim or next-of-kin seeking participation or notifications, you’ll coordinate through CDCR’s victim services and BPH processes discussed below.

Troubleshooting: Can’t Find Someone? Common Scenarios Explained

They might be in county jail or federal custody

CIRIS covers people in CDCR custody. If the person is:

In county jail on a new arrest or during trial/sentencing, they won’t appear in CIRIS.

In federal custody or immigration detention, they won’t appear in CIRIS. For immigration status changes, victims can request notifications through the federal ICE Victim Notification program. International prisoner transfers are governed at the federal level; see the Department of Justice’s International Prisoner Transfer Program for context.

Their name is recorded differently

Differences in hyphenation, special characters, or aliases can cause a no-match result. Try:

First initial plus last name
Alternate last name spellings
Removing suffixes (Jr., Sr., III) and middle names
Checking for an updated age or admission date that better matches the system

Their status recently changed

Transfers occur—especially after initial reception center processing. Someone may move from one institution to another as a classification score changes. If you’re searching during a transfer window, the listing may lag. When in doubt, use the Identification Unit contact at the end of this article.

Read This Before You Act on Search Results

Protect privacy and follow the law

CIRIS data is meant to promote public safety while providing transparency. However, misuse of posted information—like harassment or non-permitted dissemination—can expose you to legal risks. Always use data lawfully and within CDCR’s conditions of use. If you need authoritative documents (for example, for court or employer purposes), get them from the court or through CDCR’s public records process.

Avoid misidentification—use multiple data points

Never rely on just a name. When two or more people share a name, confirm the CDCR number, facility, and admission date. If anything seems off, stop and verify with the appropriate CDCR office.

When you need official records or certification

If your purpose requires certified, complete, or legally dependable documentation, submit a records request through CDCR’s Public Records Portal or contact the court that handled the conviction.

After the Search: Visiting, Communication, and Support

Visiting basics you should know before scheduling

The facility sets hours, visitor capacity, and local rules. The department’s Visitation page covers eligibility, background checks, identification requirements, what you can bring, and how to handle special circumstances. If you plan to use the online Visitation Scheduling Application, consult the VSA how-to guide first, then be prepared to call the Visiting Sergeant or Lieutenant using this phone list if your appointment needs manual assistance.

Contacting a facility and confirming logistics

Once CIRIS shows the current institution, match that with the Facility Locator to get specific institution details. For switchboard numbers and addresses across adult institutions, use Adult Facility Addresses & Numbers to reach the correct office for mail, property, or appointment questions.

Where Parole Fits In: Reading and Using Parole-Related Fields

CIRIS may show parole hearing dates or outcomes for eligible people. Parole isn’t a guarantee; it’s a suitability decision by the Board of Parole Hearings. To understand how suitability is evaluated, timelines, and what a hearing covers, rely on the parole suitability overview. People serving life terms with the possibility of parole can only be released when the Board determines they’re ready to return to the community.

Special parole programs you might encounter

Medical Parole: For individuals who are permanently medically incapacitated as defined by law. Learn how eligibility is assessed through the medical parole overview.

Elderly Parole: A hearing process for eligible older individuals, established under court orders and subsequent procedures. Details live in the elderly parole hearings overview.

Youth Offender Parole: For people who were under 26 at the time of their controlling offense (and, in some cases, those sentenced to life without parole under age 18), with the Board giving “great weight” to the diminished culpability of juveniles. See youth offender hearings overview.

When someone is released: state parole vs. county supervision (PRCS)

Not everyone leaving prison goes to state parole. Under the Penal Code, more serious and violent offenders and high-risk sex offenders generally go to state-supervised parole; many non-serious, non-violent, non-sex offenses go to post-release community supervision (PRCS) at the county level. For the county-supervised track, CDCR provides background information via Post-Release Community Supervision. This distinction matters because CIRIS shows state custody; once supervision becomes county-level only, some information you’re seeking may reside with local authorities rather than the state prison system.

Understanding Sentencing Context That Affects What You See in CIRIS

Determinate vs. indeterminate sentences

California uses both determinate sentencing (fixed terms, such as seven years) and indeterminate sentencing (life terms with the possibility of parole). With determinate sentences, a person serves the specific term and is then released to parole or probation supervision; with indeterminate sentences, release depends on a Board decision at a parole suitability hearing. CIRIS reflects custody status but doesn’t give you the full sentencing history—so if you’re trying to understand why a timeline looks the way it does, cross-referencing the appropriate BPH pages and court records is often necessary.

Reception center processing and transfers

After sentencing, people typically go to a reception center where classification scoring occurs. Factors like sentence length, stability, education, prior custody behavior, and specific case elements influence security level and placement. Because classification can change over time, transfers happen. If your search result seems to show a new institution unexpectedly, this is a routine part of operations, not necessarily a sign of trouble.

Special populations and status flags

CIRIS is not intended to convey medical or mental health information, and it will not spell out every status that may be relevant to programming or housing. Questions about condemned status or capital punishment policies are covered at CDCR’s capital punishment information page. For sensitive or status-specific questions related to hearings (e.g., Offenders with a Mental Health Disorder or Sexually Violent Predator considerations), consult the relevant BPH resources referenced in this guide.

Victim and Survivor Considerations Connected to CIRIS

Registering for notifications and participating in hearings

If you’re a victim or survivor, locating a person in CIRIS is only the first step. You may have the right to participate in parole hearings, receive notifications, and request special conditions of parole—for example, no contact conditions, or distance restrictions. You’ll coordinate through CDCR’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services and the Board of Parole Hearings. If you need help connecting to the right office or confirming hearing details, reach out using the contacts at the end of this article.

Immigration detention and deportation status

When a person transfers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody pending deportation, CDCR is no longer the custodian. Victims seeking updates can request notifications via the ICE Victim Notification Program. CIRIS won’t reflect the details of federal detention or removal timelines.

When You Need Help Beyond the Search Page

Keep your searches purposeful and narrow

Because CIRIS is a public tool, each search should be conducted with a legitimate purpose and the smallest scope necessary. When you find a match, avoid saving, reposting, or redistributing the information in a way that violates privacy or CDCR conditions of use.

Plain-English Safety Tips for Using the Locator

Match carefully, then confirm with the facility if needed

Once you think you’ve found the right person, cross-verify multiple fields (CDCR number, institution, age, admission date). If any detail doesn’t line up, call the facility switchboard or the Identification Unit to confirm rather than assuming you’ve got the right record.

Keep victims’ needs front and center

If you’re a victim or survivor, use the official contact lines and hearing processes. CIRIS is helpful for situational awareness, but the participation, notification, and safety planning tools you need are provided by CDCR’s dedicated teams and BPH processes described above.

Don’t substitute a web search for official sources

Avoid using third-party sites for California state prison lookups. The official database is CIRIS. For certified documents, go to the court or CDCR’s public records portal; for visitation and institution rules, use the official CDCR pages linked in this guide.

Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

CDCR Identification Unit — 916-445-6713 (Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. PT)
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Main Number) — 916-324-7308
Visitation Information Line — 800-374-8474
Office of the Ombudsman — 916-445-1773
Female Offender Programs and Services/Special Housing — 916-322-3684
General Population Males (Mission) — 916-327-9522
High Security (Mission) — 916-445-2165
Reception Centers (Mission) — 916-324-3809
Juvenile Justice — 916-683-7460 — 916-683-7770 (fax)
Press Office — 916-445-4950
External Affairs — 916-445-4950 — 916-956-6160
Victim Services — 1-877-256-6877