Find Someone at Avenal State Prison

Use CIRIS, CDCR's statewide inmate search tool, at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. Search by name or CDCR number, then confirm the result lists Avenal State Prison and note which housing facility, A through F, the person is in.

Kings County State Prison was Avenal's original name when it opened in 1987. CDCR renamed it Avenal State Prison on February 22, 1988, so CIRIS only recognizes the Avenal name. Search Avenal State Prison instead.

Usually, and it's worth checking. Avenal spreads its men across six housing facilities, A through F, and each one uses a different mailing box. If the record doesn't spell out the facility, ask the person directly before you send anything.

The most common reasons are a booking that hasn't posted yet, a release or parole, a transfer to another institution, or a name that doesn't match CDCR's spelling. Try name variations first, then call CDCR's Identification Unit at (916) 445-6713 with a date of birth.

No. A full legal name is enough to start. The CDCR number just makes the match more certain, and you'll need it anyway for the visitor questionnaire, for mail, and for JPay deposits once you've confirmed the person is at Avenal.

CIRIS updates to show his new institution, though the change can lag the actual move by a few days. Recheck it before you send money, mail a letter, or travel, since a deposit or letter sent to Avenal after he leaves has to be reprocessed at the new prison.