How to Find Someone in Custody in California
There is no single 'California inmate search.' State prisons, county jails, and federal facilities each keep their own rosters. The good news: all three layers are checkable online, free, from official sources listed here.
- State custody: start with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation locator (apps.cdcr.ca.gov) — name or ID number searches, current facility, and in most cases projected release dates.
- County jails: 26 California counties post their own jail rosters, linked below — that's where you'll find anyone arrested recently or serving under a year.
- Federal custody: the Bureau of Prisons locator (bop.gov) covers federal defendants and anyone sentenced in US District Court — a separate population people forget to check.
- Stay notified: VINELink sends automatic alerts when someone's custody status changes — transfer, release, or escape — in nearly every state.
CDCR's CIRIS tool replaced the old inmate locator; parole dates and housing facility show for most people in custody. Content reviewed July 30, 2026 by the SearchSystems editorial team.
Official California Custody Lookups
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — Inmate Locator
Official Free
The official California state-custody search. Current facility, custody status, and release information for people serving state sentences.
VINELink — California Custody Alerts
Official Free
Search custody status and register for automatic notification when someone is moved or released. Free, run for victims but open to anyone.
Federal Bureau of Prisons — Inmate Locator
Official Free
Everyone in federal custody since 1982, searchable by name or register number. Covers federal sentences, which no state system lists.
🌐 bop.gov
Public Case Portal | Superior Court of California | County of Modoc
Official Free
This is the court-records channel for California: case searches and docket details. Searching the official side is free.
California Counties With Online Jail Rosters
These counties publish their own booking or in-custody lists — click through for each county records page.
Alameda Butte Calaveras El Dorado Fresno Glenn Kings Madera Marin Mariposa Mendocino Merced Modoc Monterey Placer Riverside San Benito San Luis Obispo Santa Cruz Shasta Solano Sonoma Sutter Tehama Ventura Yuba
Beyond the Roster: Releases, Transfers, and Alerts
1
Set the alert instead of re-searching
Custody status changes without notice — transfers, releases, court dates. VINELink (linked above) does the watching for you: register the name and it calls or emails when status changes. It is the single most useful step for victims, families, and attorneys alike.
2
Check all three custody layers
People move between layers: county jail pre-trial, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation custody after sentencing, federal facilities for federal charges. A no-hit in one layer means check the other two — the county rosters, the state locator, and the federal BOP search above cover all three.
3
Get the records, not just the status
The roster shows where someone is; the paper trail lives elsewhere. Sentencing terms are in the court file (California court records), and incarceration records beyond the public lookup are requested from the agency under the state records act — the California records-law guide shows how.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the California inmate locator free?
Yes. Every official source on this page is free to search. Sites that charge for 'inmate reports' are reselling public data.
Why can't I find someone arrested yesterday?
Fresh arrests appear in the county jail's booking system first, sometimes hours later. State locators only list people after sentencing and transfer to state custody.
Does a locator listing mean the person was convicted?
No. Jail rosters include people awaiting trial who are presumed innocent. Check the court docket for the case outcome.
How do I send money or arrange a visit?
Each facility sets its own rules — the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation site covers state facilities, and each county sheriff posts local jail policies.
Related California Records
Custody is one piece: the California criminal records page covers official background checks, wants & warrants lists who's being looked for, and California court records hold the cases behind every custody entry.