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Find Someone at Valley State Prison

Valley State Prison is the Chowchilla institution that opened in 1995 as a women's prison and converted to house men between 2012 and 2013. Find them below and start sending photos and letters.

Overview

Search CDCR’s statewide CIRIS locator by name or CDCR number at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, then confirm the result lists Valley State Prison, the Chowchilla institution that opened in 1995 as a women’s prison and converted to house men between 2012 and 2013.

Quick Facts

  • 1 Search CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, CDCR's one statewide inmate locator.
  • 2 VSP opened in 1995 as Valley State Prison for Women and converted to an all-male institution between 2012 and 2013, so older records may still call it a women's prison.
  • 3 Results typically show age, admission date, current location, commitment county, and parole hearing information.
  • 4 CIRIS only covers people currently in CDCR custody, not county jail, federal, or parole status.
  • 5 New commitments and transfers can take a few days to appear or update in the system.

Families Also Ask

5 of 5 questions

Q

How do I find someone at Valley 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 Valley State Prison.

Inmate Search
Q

Why can't I find someone I know is at Valley State Prison?

They may be a recent booking that hasn't updated in CIRIS yet, they may have been released or paroled, they may have transferred to a different institution, or the name entered 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

Was Valley State Prison ever a women's facility?

Yes. It opened in 1995 as Valley State Prison for Women and converted to an all-male institution between 2012 and 2013. If you're researching an older record, keep in mind VSP houses men now, so trust the current CIRIS listing over outside sites.

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 JPay deposits regardless.

Inmate Search
Q

What happens if he's transferred out of Valley State Prison?

CIRIS updates to show his current institution, though it can lag a few days behind the actual move. Recheck it before you send money, mail anything, or travel for a visit, since JPay deposits and mail are both tied to whichever institution he's currently at.

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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 20, 2026.