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California InmateInformation Services

California inmate locator

Finding someone in a California county jail

Each of California's 58 counties runs its own jail system through the sheriff's office. Most people arrested by city police, the CHP, or sheriff's deputies are booked into the county jail where the arrest happened.

That means the first question is usually where the arrest happened, not where the person lives. If you're not sure, start with the county where they were last known to be, then check neighboring counties. Some large cities, including Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Santa Ana, also hold people briefly in a city jail before transfer to county custody.

People sentenced to state prison are held by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which has its own inmate locator. People in federal or immigration custody are covered in our federal and ICE guides.

County and city inmate locator guides

58 counties · 156 city and community guides

All California counties, A–Z