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Inmate Locator
How to Locate Your Loved One
I. My Method
Here's how I find Inmates: First, a few words from me (your editor!) about finding inmates in the California system. It's much easier at the women's prisons, because there are only three of them in California. You can actually call the Mainline Records office at each of the prisons and simply give them a name, and they'll try to look it up for you. But.... it is always easier when you have a CDCR number to give them.
Unfortunately, there is no State-run website where you can go look up a CDCR number for an inmate. BUT.... you can use one of the commercial trust fund sites to find a CDCR number. Here's what I do when someone asks me to find an inmate and they only have a first and last name....
Go to one of the commercial paysites that handle California trust fund payments online. I have found JPay to be the best one to use since they have the CDCR numbers, and not just names. The site address is:
www.jpay.com
You will need to set up a User Name and a Password to use this service. Don't worry -- it doesn't cost anything, and later you can use it to post money to your inmate's account.
Log In and enter your loved one's last name.
Go down the resulting list and look for CA inmates. You will see last names, first names, and a CDCR number. Women will have either an X number or a W number. Women who have been there longer will have a W number.
If you find your loved one's name and CDCR number, call the prison and ask for "Mainline Records". They will be able to tell you if your inmate is there, and what room she is in.
VSPW Mainline Records, 559-665-6100, extension 5570
CCWF Mainline Records, 559-665-5531, extension 5099
CIW Mainline Records, 909-597-1771, extension 5230
II. California's Method
How to Use the CDCR Inmate Locator Number (provided by the State of California Dept. of Corrections) To Find California State Inmates
The State of California provides a phone number you can call to get information on the location of your inmate. The phone number is:
Inmate Locator Phone Number: 916-445-6713
This is a toll call. They have 10 lines, and you may get a busy signal, especially on a Monday or Friday. It’s hard to get through. Some advocates recommend that you fax them (sorry, I don't have that number here). Additionally, once you get through, you’ll probably get their pre-recorded message. The message answers with “I.D. Warrants Unit”, and tells you that ‘your call is important’, and to hang on. Don’t hang up; you’re in the right place.
You will need the name of the inmate and their CDCR identification number (that's their W# or T# or X# or whatever). If you don’t have their CDCR number, you will need their exact name and birthdate.
The Inmate Locator service does not have the inmate’s housing assignment, yard, or bunk number. All they can tell you is which prison your loved one is at. Once you have this information, you’ll need to call the Records Department at your inmate’s prison, and ask them for the housing assignment.
Here's how I find Inmates: First, a few words from me (your editor!) about finding inmates in the California system. It's much easier at the women's prisons, because there are only three of them in California. You can actually call the Mainline Records office at each of the prisons and simply give them a name, and they'll try to look it up for you. But.... it is always easier when you have a CDCR number to give them.
Unfortunately, there is no State-run website where you can go look up a CDCR number for an inmate. BUT.... you can use one of the commercial trust fund sites to find a CDCR number. Here's what I do when someone asks me to find an inmate and they only have a first and last name....
Go to one of the commercial paysites that handle California trust fund payments online. I have found JPay to be the best one to use since they have the CDCR numbers, and not just names. The site address is:
www.jpay.com
You will need to set up a User Name and a Password to use this service. Don't worry -- it doesn't cost anything, and later you can use it to post money to your inmate's account.
Log In and enter your loved one's last name.
Go down the resulting list and look for CA inmates. You will see last names, first names, and a CDCR number. Women will have either an X number or a W number. Women who have been there longer will have a W number.
If you find your loved one's name and CDCR number, call the prison and ask for "Mainline Records". They will be able to tell you if your inmate is there, and what room she is in.
VSPW Mainline Records, 559-665-6100, extension 5570
CCWF Mainline Records, 559-665-5531, extension 5099
CIW Mainline Records, 909-597-1771, extension 5230
II. California's Method
How to Use the CDCR Inmate Locator Number (provided by the State of California Dept. of Corrections) To Find California State Inmates
The State of California provides a phone number you can call to get information on the location of your inmate. The phone number is:
Inmate Locator Phone Number: 916-445-6713
This is a toll call. They have 10 lines, and you may get a busy signal, especially on a Monday or Friday. It’s hard to get through. Some advocates recommend that you fax them (sorry, I don't have that number here). Additionally, once you get through, you’ll probably get their pre-recorded message. The message answers with “I.D. Warrants Unit”, and tells you that ‘your call is important’, and to hang on. Don’t hang up; you’re in the right place.
You will need the name of the inmate and their CDCR identification number (that's their W# or T# or X# or whatever). If you don’t have their CDCR number, you will need their exact name and birthdate.
The Inmate Locator service does not have the inmate’s housing assignment, yard, or bunk number. All they can tell you is which prison your loved one is at. Once you have this information, you’ll need to call the Records Department at your inmate’s prison, and ask them for the housing assignment.
