Find Someone at California State Prison, Los Angeles County
CDCR runs one statewide search tool, CIRIS, covering every state prison including California State Prison, Los Angeles County.
Overview
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 State Prison, Los Angeles County, search by name or CDCR number at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, then confirm the result lists California State Prison, Los Angeles County and ask the person which of the 5 housing facilities they’re currently in, since that determines both their mailing address and where a visit takes place.
Quick Facts
Search CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, CDCR's one statewide inmate locator.
You can search by full name or by CDCR number.
Results typically show age, admission date, current location, commitment county, and parole hearing information.
CIRIS only covers people currently in CDCR custody, not county jail, federal, or parole status.
New commitments and transfers can take a few days to appear or update in the system.
LAC has 5 housing facilities: A, B, C, D, and Minimum Support Facility (MSF), plus a 100-cell Administrative Segregation Unit. Ask the person which one they're in, since it affects both mail and where their visit happens.
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Step 1. Go to CIRIS
Visit ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, CDCR’s single statewide search tool covering all 31 adult institutions, including California State Prison, Los Angeles County.
Step 2. Search by Name or CDCR Number
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.
Step 3. Confirm the Facility Listed
CIRIS shows the person’s current institution as California State Prison, Los Angeles County. People also move between LAC’s 5 housing facilities, so the record needs to reflect their current housing before you plan a visit, deposit, or mailing.
What a CDCR Number Is and Where to Find It
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.
What the Results Show
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 at LAC because it uses 5 separate mailing addresses by housing facility, so ask the person directly which facility they’re currently in.
Why Someone Might Not Show Up
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.
If You Can’t Find Them
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.
Confirming Before You Act
Recheck CIRIS close to your visit date, deposit, or mailing instead of relying on older information, since transfers between LAC’s housing facilities happen and a facility guide’s information only applies to the institution currently holding that person.
Families Also Ask
6 of 10 questions
Q
How do I find someone at California State Prison, Los Angeles County?
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 State Prison, Los Angeles County.
Inmate Search
Q
Does LAC have its own inmate locator?
No. CDCR runs one statewide tool, CIRIS, covering every adult institution it operates, so there isn't a search tool specific to LAC.
Inmate Search
Q
What information do I need to search?
A 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 Search
Q
Is CIRIS free to use?
Yes. 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 Search
Q
Does the search show which housing facility someone is in?
CIRIS shows the institution, but not always the specific housing facility. That matters at LAC because it uses 5 different mailing addresses depending on housing facility, so ask the person directly which one they're in.
Inmate Search
Q
Can I use CIRIS for someone in county jail?
No. CIRIS only covers people in CDCR custody. For county jail inmates, check that specific county sheriff's website or call the jail directly.
Inmate Search
Q
They were sentenced but aren't in CIRIS yet. Why?
They 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 Search
Q
Why can't I find someone I know is at LAC?
They 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 Search
Q
Do I need a CDCR number to search?
No, 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 Search
Q
How often does CIRIS update?
New commitments and transfers can take a few days to appear or update, so recheck close to your visit, deposit, or mailing date instead of relying on an older search.