CDCR runs one statewide search tool, CIRIS, covering every state prison including California Correctional Institution.
CDCR operates a single statewide search tool, the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS), covering every adult institution it runs. To find someone at California Correctional Institution, search by name or CDCR number at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, then confirm the result lists CCI and check which of its five housing facilities the person is currently in, since CCI reassigns people between facilities and mail is routed by facility.
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Visit ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, CDCR’s single statewide search tool covering all 31 adult institutions, including California Correctional Institution.
Enter the person’s first and last name, or their CDCR number if you already have it from court paperwork or a prior search. The CDCR number gives you the most reliable match, and you’ll need it anyway for mail, deposits, and the visitor approval process.
CIRIS shows the person’s current institution as California Correctional Institution. Because CCI reassigns people between its five housing facilities, A through E, more often than some other CDCR prisons, don’t assume the facility you last confirmed is still accurate. Recheck it close to your visit, deposit, or mailing date.
Every person in CDCR custody has a unique CDCR number, usually a letter followed by five digits. You’ll find it on court paperwork, on a prior CIRIS result, or on any letter the person has sent you. It’s the most reliable way to search, and you’ll need it for the visitor questionnaire, deposits, and the mailing envelope.
Results typically include the person’s age, admission date, current institution, commitment county, and any scheduled Board of Parole Hearings dates and outcomes. CIRIS shows the institution but not always the specific housing facility, which matters a great deal at CCI because mail is routed by facility and reassignments happen frequently. Ask the person directly which facility, A through E, they’re currently in.
A few common reasons: they were only recently booked into CDCR custody and the record hasn’t updated yet, they’ve been released or paroled, they transferred to another institution in the days before your search, or the name was entered with a spelling variation that doesn’t match CDCR’s records exactly.
Try name variations, including middle names or common misspellings. If you have their case number or county of commitment, CDCR’s ID Unit at (916) 445-6713 can help locate someone with a common name when you provide a date of birth.
Recheck CIRIS close to your visit date, deposit, or mailing instead of relying on older information. This matters more at CCI than at many CDCR prisons, since facility reassignments here happen frequently and a facility guide’s information only applies to the housing facility currently holding that person.
6 of 10 questions
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 California Correctional Institution.
Inmate SearchNo. CDCR runs one statewide tool, CIRIS, covering every adult institution it operates, so there isn't a search tool specific to CCI.
Inmate SearchA full name is enough to start, but a CDCR number makes the search more reliable and you'll need it anyway for visitor approval, mail, and money deposits.
Inmate SearchYes. CIRIS is CDCR's free public tool at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. You don't need an account, and you never have to pay a third-party site to look someone up.
Inmate SearchCIRIS shows the institution, but not always the specific housing facility. This matters more at CCI than most CDCR prisons because facility reassignments happen frequently and mail is routed by facility, so ask the person directly which one they're currently in.
Inmate SearchCCI runs multiple facilities with different custody levels on one campus, and CDCR moves people as classification, programming, or population needs change. Because of this, always recheck CIRIS close to your visit or mailing date instead of trusting an older result.
Inmate SearchNo. CIRIS only covers people in CDCR custody. For county jail inmates, check that specific county sheriff's website or call the jail directly.
Inmate SearchThey may still be in county jail waiting to be transferred to CDCR, which can take weeks. CIRIS only covers people already in CDCR custody, so check the county sheriff's site until they appear.
Inmate SearchThey may be a recent booking that hasn't updated in CIRIS yet, they may have been released or paroled, they may have transferred, or the name doesn't exactly match CDCR's records. Try name variations, or call CDCR's ID Unit at (916) 445-6713 with a date of birth.
Inmate SearchNo, a name is enough to start, but the CDCR number is more reliable and you'll need it for the visitor questionnaire, mail, and deposits regardless.
Inmate SearchOnce you've confirmed their location, start the CDCR Form 106 approval process.
View ArticleConfirm the correct CDCR number before you send a deposit.
View ArticleAll outgoing calls are free once you've confirmed their location.
View ArticleGet the CDCR number and the right facility box the first time.
View ArticleSearch for your loved one and start sending photos, letters, and messages today.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 19, 2026.