Criminal Defense Lawyers

San Bernardino Inmate Search

San Bernardino Inmate Search: Finding Jail & Prison Records

Searching for an incarcerated friend or family member in San Bernardino County? This guide covers how to find inmates in San Bernardino jails and state prisons using free online tools.

Understanding San Bernardino Inmate Locator Systems

San Bernardino County manages several jail facilities that house inmates awaiting trial or serving short county sentences. The largest is the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga with over 3,000 beds.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) manages state prisons that house inmates convicted of felonies. There are multiple state prisons located in San Bernardino County.

Both the county jail system and state prisons provide inmate locators on their websites to help you find where someone is incarcerated. However, these systems have some key limitations:

• County jail locators only cover county jail inmates, not state prisoners
• State prison locators require knowing the exact facility someone is housed in
• They do not provide ways to search by name – you must know the inmate ID number

Luckily there are also some free public inmate search engines that provide extra tools to help find incarcerated friends and family.

Searching San Bernardino County Jail Inmate Records

To look up an inmate in the San Bernardino County Jail system, use the San Bernardino County Sheriff Inmate Locator.

This lookup tool allows you to search by:

• Inmate ID number – This unique number is assigned at booking
• First and last name – Useful if you don’t know the ID number
• Booking date range – If unsure of exact booking date

After searching, results will display the inmate’s:

• ID number
• Full name
• Age
• Race
• Gender
• Arresting agency
• Booking date
• Projected release date
• Bail amount
• Housing facility
• Visiting availability

If you cannot find the inmate you are looking for in the county system, they may have been transferred to a CDCR state prison.

CDCR Inmate Locators for State Prisons

The California Department of Corrections Inmate Locator provides search tools for finding prisoners housed in state correctional facilities.

To perform an inmate lookup here, you need to know:

• The exact prison facility they are housed in
• Their unique CDCR number

With this information, you can search for their record which displays:

• Name
• Age
• Ethnicity
• Height/weight
• Housing location
• Parole eligibility date
• Maximum sentence date

Without knowing which state facility someone is in, finding their record can be difficult. This is where public inmate search services provide extra assistance.

Using Public Jail & Prison Inmate Search Websites

To aid people in locating incarcerated friends and family, there are public jail and prison inmate search websites that provide extra search methods and sources.

Helpful online services include:

• Vinelink – Search California county jails and state prisons by name or ID number.
• JailBase – Records for county jails and state prisons across multiple states.
• Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator – Lookup tool for federal prisons nationwide.

These public inmate lookup sites compile data from multiple correctional systems into a centralized database. They allow you to search by inmate name, ID number, or other filters like race, age, etc.

If you still cannot locate the incarcerated person, some services let you set email alerts for when they may get transferred or released into another system.

Overall these public jail and prison inmate search engines help provide extra assistance when the official government sources fall short.

Understanding Inmate Search Limitations

While the online options above are useful, it’s important to understand their limitations:

• Information can be out of date if transfers or releases are not reported
• Privacy restrictions may limit access to some data
• Technical issues could cause temporary search problems

If you exhaust all these avenues and still cannot find your incarcerated friend or family member, consider contacting facility staff directly for assistance.

Getting Legal Help With Inmate Cases

If your search efforts uncover concerning information about an inmate’s case or conditions, getting legal help may be advisable.

Defense lawyers can advise inmates on their rights and options. Post-conviction relief attorneys can also evaluate potential appeal issues or unfair sentences.

Resources for Friends & Family of Incarcerated Individuals

Dealing with a loved one in jail or prison can be emotionally and financially taxing. These organizations provide useful programs and resources:

Prison Fellowship Logo

• Prison Fellowship – Support community for families of prisoners.

Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights Logo

• Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights – Advocacy group improving healthcare policies for incarcerated individuals.

Finding and staying in contact with an incarcerated friend or family member can be challenging. Hopefully this guide on searching San Bernardino inmate records provides some helpful tips and resources. Reach out for legal or community assistance if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Bernardino Inmate Search

Can I visit an inmate in San Bernardino County Jail?

Yes, all San Bernardino County Jail facilities allow in-person visits, with sessions booked online or through lobby kiosks. Visitors must adhere to dress code and security rules.

Are San Bernardino County Jail phone calls recorded?

Inmate phone calls from San Bernardino jails are recorded, except for calls to verified attorneys. Calls are limited to 20 minutes and have expensive per-minute rates.

How do I put money on an inmate’s account in San Bernardino?

Friends and family can deposit money into a San Bernardino County Jail or state prison inmate’s trust account remotely online or through lobby kiosks. This gives them access to commissary items.