Kern County Inmate Search

Kern County inmate population records are available through the Kern County Sheriff's Office online search tool. As one of the largest counties in California by both land area and population, Kern County runs a sizable jail system based in Bakersfield. The sheriff posts inmate information on the department website and uses Securus for inmate communication services. You can also use Access Corrections for commissary. The jail phone number is (661) 861-3110. Kern County processes thousands of bookings each year and maintains a detailed online inmate roster that the public can search for free.

Kern County Sheriff Jail System

The Kern County Sheriff's Office runs multiple detention facilities. The main jail complex is the Lerdo Justice Facility, located north of Bakersfield. There is also the Central Receiving Facility in downtown Bakersfield where most initial bookings take place. These facilities together make up one of the larger county jail systems in central California. The Kern County inmate population includes people awaiting trial, those serving county sentences, and inmates held on various holds including state and federal warrants.

The Kern County Sheriff inmate information page provides a direct search tool for the current jail roster. You enter a last name and the system returns matching inmates. Results show the person's name, booking number, charges, bail amount, and housing location within the Kern County jail. This is one of the more complete online search tools among California county sheriffs. The page updates regularly as new bookings come in and releases happen. You do not need an account to search. Just go to the site and type a name.

Note: Kern County operates separate facilities for different security levels, so an inmate's housing location in the search results tells you which facility they are at.

Kern County Inmate Population Search

The sheriff's website is the best starting point for Kern County inmate searches. The tool is free, fast, and pulls directly from the jail's booking system. Beyond the sheriff's site, VINELink also covers Kern County. VINE lets you search by name and check custody status across all California counties at once. If you are not sure whether a person is in the Kern County jail or somewhere else in the state, VINE can help narrow it down. The phone number for VINE is 1-877-411-5588. You can also register for alerts through VINE so you get contacted when an inmate's custody status changes in Kern County.

Securus Technologies handles phone services for the Kern County jail. Inmates make calls through the Securus system, and family members set up accounts to receive those calls. Access Corrections manages commissary for Kern County inmates. Through this platform, you can deposit money into an inmate's account for them to buy items from the jail store. While these platforms are mainly for communication and funds, they also help confirm that a person is in Kern County custody. If you can find someone in the Securus or Access system, they are currently booked in the Kern County jail. For California state prison searches, CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov covers all CDCR facilities and is separate from the county jail system.

Kern County Inmate Records and Law

Kern County booking records are public under California Government Code 6254(f). This law requires the disclosure of basic arrest data. Names, charges, bail amounts, and booking dates are all open to the public in Kern County. The sheriff's online tool is one way to access this data. You can also call (661) 861-3110 or visit the Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield to get booking information in person. Written requests are accepted too.

Full criminal histories in Kern County follow the same state rules as the rest of California. Penal Code 11105 restricts access to complete criminal records through the DOJ. You cannot pull another person's criminal history. You can check your own by sending fingerprints and a $25 fee to the California DOJ Record Review Unit. The Kern County Superior Court maintains separate case files for criminal cases heard in the county. These records cover the legal side of cases, including charges, hearings, pleas, and sentencing outcomes. The Bakersfield courthouse has a clerk's office where you can request court records for Kern County cases.

Visiting Kern County Jail Inmates

Kern County jail visits happen at the facility where the inmate is housed. The Lerdo Justice Facility and the Central Receiving Facility each have their own visiting schedules. Check the sheriff's website or call (661) 861-3110 for current times. Visitors must show photo ID and follow posted rules. The jail enforces a dress code and does not allow personal items in the visiting area. Kern County also offers video visits through the jail's approved vendor. Remote visits let family members see inmates without making the trip to the facility.

Send mail to Kern County inmates at the specific facility where they are housed. The envelope needs the inmate's full name and booking number. Staff inspect all incoming mail. Letters, cards, and photos are allowed. Do not send cash, food, or other prohibited items. Commissary funds go through Access Corrections. You can add money online or at kiosks. Phone calls from Kern County inmates use the Securus system. Set up an account through Securus to receive calls or fund a prepaid phone account for the inmate. Rates and rules are posted on the Securus website.

Note: Kern County's multiple facilities mean you must know which one holds your inmate before scheduling a visit.

Kern County Inmate Search Portal

The Kern County Sheriff's inmate information page at kernsheriff.org provides the main search tool for finding people in Kern County custody.

This search page lets you look up Kern County inmates by last name. The results display booking details, charges, bail, and facility location. The tool is free and open to anyone. It draws from the live booking system, so data stays current. Kern County updates this roster as new bookings come in throughout the day and night.

Kern County Cities

Bakersfield is the largest city in Kern County and the county seat. For inmate population information specific to the Bakersfield area, the Kern County Sheriff handles all jail services.

Counties Near Kern County

Search inmate population records in counties that border Kern County.