Find Out Who’s on Parole in California for Free

Run a free California parole search today to unveil records on those already released and those who might be eligible for supervised release soon.

Some inmates become eligible for parole – an early release program with community monitoring – after serving a significant portion of their original prison sentence. Those on probation agree to the same level of monitoring, but since their original offense is typically minor in comparison, they skip the jail term prior to release.

In either case, in California, you can often find records pertaining to people on parole or probation through a single source. This resource provides insights into locating parole records in California, including information about finding parole violators, absconders, hearings, and officers. It also includes some information about probationers.

How To Determine Who Is a Parolee for Free (California Parole Search)

The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) is the agency in charge of all community monitoring throughout the state.

California doesn’t have a searchable database with information about those already released on parole, but you can make public information requests through DAPO in writing or use a third-party site for access, as long as you use public records responsibly and ethically. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) may also provide information via a records request.¹

To start a parole search, include the offender’s full legal name, date of birth, CDCR number, return address and the exact information you’re seeking. Some information may be private and won’t be available unless you’re an authorized person, such as an attorney or, in some cases, a family member searching for a released inmate. Send requests to either of the options below:

Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO)
Northern Region Headquarters
9825 Goethe Road, Suite 200
Sacramento, California 95827

Phone: 916-255-2758

DAPO
Southern Region Headquarters
21015 Pathfinder Road, Suite 200
Diamond Bar, California 91765

Phone: 909-468-2300

There are more than 110 local DAPO offices managing thousands of parolees and probationers. It’s possible to call the northern or southern region headquarters to get information about the local office for additional information about a parolee.

Look Up Parole Violators & Escapees Throughout California

California doesn’t provide information about all parole violations, but it does post a list of wanted sex offenders who are in violation of their parole agreements.³ The wanted sex offender list is specifically related to those who violate their monitoring agreements and remove GPS tracking devices.

Search the list by name, last known location or using the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) number for the offender. It includes pictures and a physical description of the offender, along with information about their last known whereabouts and any aliases they might have on record. In California, parole searches are the fastest when looking for someone who has violated their parole and is on a wanted list.

Individual cities and counties publish their own wanted lists. Wanted lists often include a picture of the absconder along with information about the crime they committed and a description of their criminal history. In Los Angeles County alone, the most wanted list contains more than 400 records, with thousands of people on wanted lists throughout the state.⁴

To find information about wanted lists in a specific county, simply search for the county name followed by the term “wanted list.” Include the state if there are multiple counties with the same name.

Aside from a parole search for absconders and current parolees, searchers can look up current state inmates as well; check out the section below for more on these lookups.

How To Look Up Inmates in a California State Prison

To find out when someone is eligible for parole or to see the date for their next hearing, you can run a parole search using the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) Tool.⁵ This database includes current location information for all incarcerated persons.

Searches require the offender’s first and last names to bring up a list of those currently incarcerated. If the person’s name is common, using their California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) number can help avoid any false positives. If you don’t know the CDCR number and need to filter a large pool of potential candidates, it’s possible to filter by age range and the county where the person is being held.

Prisoner location information is generally considered public information in California. The California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR) manages all contact and information about prisoners and parolees.

If you need to get in contact with someone who is currently incarcerated, you can call the Department’s ID Unit at 916-445-6713 and request housing information, which should include an address at which they can receive mail. For those with incarceration information publicly available, friends and family can send mail through the Public Information Officer for each prison location.

You can also send money to inmates, granting them access to discretionary items sold in prison or helping them with court-ordered restitution payments. Even after release, parolees may have continued payments required as part of their release agreement. Keep in mind that the CDCR will split any funds you send to include payments on any mandatory restitution or other owed expenses. There are three ways to make funds available:

• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): The CDCR partners with three EFT vendors which allows the public to make bank transfers from their own accounts to a parolees prison account. Each EFT partner requires individual sign-up and there is a 1-3 day delay before transactions post. This is a fee for service option.
• Lock Box Service: Through JPay, one of the EFT providers for CDCR, the public can mail in payments using a personal check, cashier’s check or money order. Include a deposit coupon with the payment and expect a 10-day wait time until the deposit clears. Mail payments to JPay, 2202 South Figueroa St, Box #3001, Los Angeles, CA 90007.
• By Mail to the Institution: Mail a check directly to the institution where an inmate is held. Be sure to include their CDCR number and full name on the check. Make checks sent via mail payable to CDCR.

People wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must first get approval. An inmate mails out a signed copy of the visiting application to a person they want to add to their approved visitors list. Then, the person who wishes to visit fills out the application and waits while CDCR completes a background check. If approved, check on the facility’s visiting status.

If visitation is available, use the Scheduling Application. An inmate may not have visitation approved, so it’s important to schedule in advance.

There are several ways to get in contact with someone in prison, including by mail, email and phone. To find a prisoner’s mailing address, contact the institution where they’re being held for more information. Inmates have access to free outgoing phone calls and can call friends and family when allowed in 15-minute increments. Email communications may be available, but every email costs $0.05 to view.

How To Find Someone’s Parole Officer & When Their Next Parole Hearing Is

The California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) system offers information about parole eligibility for every incarcerated person. Run a quick search using a person’s name or California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) number to find out when they’re eligible for parole and if they have a current hearing date scheduled.

Parole hearing results are posted online by the Board of Parole Hearings within a week.⁷ Use the inmate’s hearing date to check the results.

Once approved for parole, former inmates receive an assigned parole officer. Parole assignments coincide with an offender’s last county address. For example, if an inmate lived in Chula Vista before their sentence, they’ll get a parole officer working out of San Diego County.

The only exception would be if the prisoner requests a transfer and it’s approved by CDCR. To contact a specific parole officer, get in touch with the local office.

For quick lookup, the table below displays some of California’s most populous districts, but users can locate individual offices closest to them using the DAPO site.

How To Confirm if a California Resident Is on Probation

Probation is a community monitoring option that the courts may offer to those found guilty of minor crimes. It’s an option that avoids jail time. Probation information is available through various state, county and local agencies.

For example, in the county of Sacramento, use the free public case access system to see if someone was given probation.⁸

Larger cities in California may have their own court case search option. Los Angeles has a search function that allows searchers to locate court records using the name of the defendant or the case number. There is a fee associated with each search, and the exact cost may vary based on the type of account used to access information.

You can also use the online scheduler to make an appointment with the Clerk’s Office or to use the self-help center.

Whether you need to find out if your attacker is being released or want to help a family member rejoin the community, the first step is finding out where they are. Getting in touch with a probation or parole officer is often the next step. To run a free California parole search, you just need to use the right resources and be willing to make a few phone calls.