Kern County, California Inmate Search

Kern County Inmate Search

People get arrested in Kern County when they break the law. Sometimes, an arrest can lead to going to county jail if found guilty. Typically, an individual can retrieve information about arrests and incarceration if they conduct an inmate search.

Per Cal. Pen. Code § 834, an arrest is when a peace officer or a private person takes a person into custody in a legal manner. Per Cal. Pen. Code § 836, a peace officer can arrest a person with or without a warrant when there is probable cause to believe the person has committed a public offense.

After an arrest, the suspect may be released if found innocent after much questioning. Sometimes, the suspect may be detained and brought into custody. The suspect will be booked into the Central Receiving Facility by staff in the Arrest Records Unit. The suspect will remain in the Facility pending their release or first court appearance (arraignment). At the arraignment, the suspect (defendant) will be brought before a judge who will read their rights, charges filed against them, and a bail possibility will be discussed. The defendant can enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest plea if they have an attorney. A judge can release the defendant with bail or without bail. The defendant may also be sent to one of the facilities at the Lerdo Complex till trial, depending on the gravity of the offense. The defendant can choose a bench trial or a jury trial. At the trial, the prosecutor and the defense attorney will present their argument and evidence and call witnesses for their testimonies. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge or jury may sentence them to a penalty like jail time, fines, or even a death sentence. If the defendant is sent to jail, they will be housed in any facilities at the Lerdo Complex.

Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:

The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.

Kern County Crime and Incarceration Statistics

Based on the 2021 OpenJustice report on the California Department of Justice website, over 27,000 people were arrested in Kern County. About 10,961 of them were arrested for felonies, while 16,513 were arrested for misdemeanors.

Kern County Prison System

The Sherrif's Office oversees the prison system in Kern County. The Office operates about 5 facilities, including:

As of February 2023, The Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility is the largest Detention Facility operated by the Sherrif’s Office with a rating capacity of 1,336. The Lerdo Justice Facility is approximately 220,000 sq. ft. with 825 beds and a rating capacity of 796. Lerdo Maximum-Medium Facility has a bed capacity of 408. As of February 2023, the Central Receiving Facility has a rating capacity of 292, and Lerdo Minimum Facility has a rating capacity of 792.

As of December 2019, about 4,198 inmates in custody at state prisons were from Kern County, with 77 admissions. About 52 Kern County inmates were released to parole, and 78 were released to post-release community supervision. That same year, approximately 1,494 Kern County inmates were on parole. The total number of Kern County offenders admitted to state prison in 2019 was 1,429. About 1,376 Kern County inmates were released that same year. As of 2022, the average daily population in Kern County jails was 1,683. Of this number, about 141 inmates were sentenced, and 1,542 were not sentenced.

How to Find an Inmate in Kern County

An individual can find an inmate in Kern County online or in person at the Sheriff’s Office. Online requests can be made in three ways:

Via the In-Custody inmate tool
Via the Jail roster
By submitting a Public Records Request to the Office
Via the Wanted Person list

In-person requests can be made to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office during business hours. Requesters must provide basic information about the inmates they seek to the record staff. This helps to facilitate the search. The Office is located at:

Kern County Sheriff's Office
1350 Norris Road
Bakersfield CA 93308
Email: sheriff@kernsheriff.org

How Does a Kern County Inmate Search Work?

Per California Public Records Act (PRA), the public can access inmate records unless they are legally exempt from disclosure. For instance, inmate records about pending litigation are deemed confidential. Therefore, only a selected few can inspect or obtain copies of them. Below is the information that can be found during a Kern County inmate search:

Inmate’s first, middle, and last names
Inmate number
General information (booking number, date of birth, holding, jail, release date)
Offense information (offense number, type, description, and count)
Arrest information (arrest date, time, location, arresting agency)
Booking information (date and time booked, booking type, and crime case number)
Bail information (bail amount and source)
Hearing information (court case number, hearing date, time, and location)

Where to Find a Kern County Inmate Locator

Inmate locators can be found on most county, state, and federal law enforcement agency websites. For example, Kern County Sheriff’s Office has an Inmate Locator that can be used to find an inmate in custody. A search can be conducted by inmate number or name.

To find Inmate Locator at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) website, click “Locate inmate” on the top bar of the homepage. The Locator allows an individual to locate an inmate by entering the inmate’s CDCR Number or Name in the search boxes. Search results typically reveal the inmate’s full name, CDCR number, age, admission date, current location, location link, and parole eligible date.

An inmate locator can also be found on the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. With this Locator, individuals can find inmates housed in federal prisons. Requesters can find inmates by number or name. Search results reveal the inmate’s name, register number, race, sex, release date, and location.

Alternatively, an individual can find an inmate locator on third-party sites. The requesters must know the inmate's name, jail number, or other information to facilitate the search. A fee may be required to complete the search.

How to Send Money to a Kern County Inmate

Individuals are no longer permitted to send money orders, cashier’s checks, or cash to inmates by mail or at the windows of most of the Kern County jails. Money can be deposited into an inmate's account in the following ways:

Online: Individuals can send money to inmates via a third-party vendor approved by the Sheriff’s Office. Note that a processing fee may apply but varies by deposit amount.
Phone: Call (866) 345-1884 to make phone deposits
In-person: Go to the kiosk located at the Central Receiving Facility or Max-Med Facility, or Justice Facility to make deposits to an inmate’s account.

At the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility, money can only be deposited online or by phone at the kiosk. At the Lerdo Minimum Facility, individuals can deposit money over the phone by calling (866) 232-1899 using the facility number 293301. The Facility also allows individuals to send money orders by mail to inmates.

Cash deposits at the facilities kiosks take about 24 hours to reflect in an inmate’s account. While credit or debit card deposits take between 24 and 72 hours to reflect in an inmate’s account.

How to Visit a Kern County Inmate

The visitation process in Kern County varies by Jail. Therefore, visitors can use the inmate locator on the Kern County Sherrif’s website to find where an inmate is housed. All visitors must be properly dressed. Revealing clothing, short/mini shorts, spaghetti strap tops, and low-cut connect shirts are allowed. Below are some general visitation rules at all KSCO jail facilities:

Central Receiving Facility

Public visitors must schedule visits by calling (661) 868-6850 before visiting inmates housed in the central receiving facility. Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The maximum number of visitors an inmate can have is one adult or one adult and a minor. All facility inmates can have one 60-minute or two 30-minute visits weekly.

Lerdo Maximum Medium (Max-Med) Facility

All visitations at this facility are recorded and monitored for security reasons. Visitors must come to the facility with a proper ID like a valid photo U.S. driver’s license, any other county or state ID, US or federal government-issued ID, or passport. Visitation is permitted all through the week except on Mondays. Visiting days are by the first letter of inmates’ last names. Visiting hours are between 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.; 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. A maximum of 4 persons (including adults and children) can visit an inmate at once. Each inmate is allowed two thirty minutes visits per week. Adult visitors (18 years or older) must complete visit request forms.

Lerdo Minimum Facility

Minimum facility inmates are allowed to have one visit per week. A maximum of 4 visitors per inmate is required. The visitation duration is an hour. Visitors must register at the visiting booth, and those 16 years or older must provide their IDs. Any visitor who leaves the visiting area for whatsoever reason will not be allowed to return. Visitation is by inmates’ last names and is on Saturdays to Sundays. Eligible visiting time is between 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors must use the facility bus, which transports them from the Lerdo main gate parking lot to the visiting yard.

Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility

Visitors 18 years or older must have valid IDs. Visitors must schedule a visit by calling (661) 391-7901 before visiting inmates at the Pre-Trial Facility. Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. between Tuesdays and Sundays. Visiting days are based on inmates’ last names. For example, inmates with last names starting from A-F have visiting days on Tuesdays and Fridays, G-M on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and N-Z on Sundays and Thursdays. The Facility allows a maximum of 4 persons per visit. It could be two adults and 2 minors, one adult and 3 minors but never more than 2 adults. During a first-time minor visit, a birth certificate will be required. Note that an adult must accompany every child visitor. Inmates are allowed to have one 60-minute or two 30-minute visits weekly.

Lerdo Justice Facility

All visitations at the Justice Facility are conducted via video, whether online or in person. Adult visitors must register online for video visitation through a contracted service provider. Registration takes 72 hours to process and approve. Visitors are required to schedule an appointment online at least 24 hours in advance before visiting the Facility. Visitors 16 years or older are required to have a proper ID.

Visiting hours are usually between Tuesday and Sunday between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Adult visitors must request video visitation via the inmate telephone service provider's website. If their request is approved, an email or text confirmation will be sent to visitors. On-site video visitors who received confirmation via text or email must arrive at the facility at least 30 minutes before the visiting time. The maximum number of visitors an inmate can have is two (two adults or one adult and one minor). The Facility permits attorneys to use non-contact video visitation rooms or in-person visiting boots for confidential visitations. Inmates are allowed to have one 60-minute or two 30-minute visits weekly.

An ex-felon can request to visit inmates housed in the Pre Trial and Max-Med Security Facilities. However, they must send an Application for Visiting Privileges to the facility Lieutenant or his designee before they can visit. If the approval is granted, the ex-felon will be given written permission which they must have on them during every visit.

Kern County jails allow visitors to take their IDs, vehicle keys, baby bottle, diaper, and infant blankets to the visiting area. All other items must be left in their cars. Review the Kern County Sherrif’s Public Visiting for more information on inmate visitation.

How to Send Jail Mail in Kern County

Inmates housed in Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) detention facilities can receive mail from family, friends, and loved ones. Only books and magazines sent to the inmate directly from the publisher are acceptable in the facilities. Mail must be plain, just a letter and an envelope. All correspondence should be addressed as follows:

Inmate's Name and Booking Number
Kern County Sheriff's Department - Jail
P.O. Box 2208
Bakersfield, CA 93303-2208

All incoming mail is usually inspected for contraband. The following are considered contraband in KSCO facilities:

Greeting cards
Photographs, pictures, or photocopies of photos
Unused stamps, envelopes, or paper
Letters and envelopes with whiteout, address labels, lipstick marks, or stickers of any kind
Musical cards, large cards, or cards with glitter
Cash, money orders, cashier's checks, or personal checks

Kern County Jails and Prisons

Below is the list of the names, addresses, and contact information of all the jail facilities, prisons, and detention centers in Kern County:

Kern County Lerdo Maximum-Medium Facility
17645 Industrial Farm Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: (661) 391-2064

Kern County Lerdo Minimum Facility
17635 Industrial Farm Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: (661) 391-7802

Kern County Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility
17695 Industrial Farm Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: (661) 391-7900

Kern County Lerdo Justice Facility
17801 Industrial Farm Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: (661) 391-3100

Kern County Central Receiving Facility
1415 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 868-6850

Mojave Jail
1771 Highway 58
Mojave, CA. 93501
Phone: (661) 824-7147

Ridgecrest Jail
128 E. Coso Ave.
Ridgecrest, CA. 93555
Phone: (760) 384-5855

California City Correctional Facility (CAC)
22844 Virginia Boulevard
California City, CA 93505
Phone: (760) 246-7600

California Correctional Institution (CCI)
24900 Highway 202,
Tehachapi, CA 93561
Phone: (661) 822-4402

Camp Erwin Owen
14401 Sierra Way
Kernville, CA, 93238
Phone: (760) 376-2844

Central Valley Modified Community Correctional Facility
254 Taylor Avenue
McFarland, CA 93250
Phone: (661) 792-3492

James G. Bowles Youth Detention Center
1831 Ridge Road
Bakersfield, CA 93305
Phone: (661) 868-4300