Transfers & Facility Changes in CDCR

Why Transfers Happen

Transfers are a normal part of California prison system operations. Understanding why helps you prepare for them.

Classification and custody level changes

Sentence review: After a portion of sentence served, classification review determines if custody level can lower
Program completion: Finishing educational or treatment programs may allow transfer to lower-security facility
Behavior improvement: Good behavior record allows requesting lower-custody facility
Disciplinary issues: Rule violations can result in transfer to higher-security facility
Age/health factors: Older inmates or those with medical needs may transfer to facilities suited for them
Timeline: Classifications are reviewed annually; changes recommended during reviews

Gang management and security transfers

Gang affiliation: Known gang members transferred to break up gang infrastructure
Security concerns: If inmate poses security risk at current facility, transferred for facility safety
Conflict with others: Transferred if in conflict with inmates or staff at current location
Protective custody: Inmates needing safety transferred to facilities with appropriate housing
Notice: These transfers can happen quickly; may have little advance warning

Program and resource-based transfers

Substance abuse programs: Transfers to facilities with SAC (Substance Abuse Counseling) or treatment programs
Educational programs: Transfers to facilities with vocational or college programs
Specialty housing: Transfers to facilities with honor units, work assignments, or self-help programs
Parole preparation: As release date nears, may transfer to facility with programs preparing for release
Overlap: Often program participation is the best pathway to lower-security transfer

Administrative transfers (overcrowding, capacity)

Facility crowding: When facility exceeds capacity, inmates transferred to uncrowded facilities
No control: Inmate has no say; can happen quickly
Often distant: May be transferred far from family/home facility
Usually temporary goal: May be transferred again once facility reopens or capacity changes
Unpredictable: Usually little warning; order comes down and inmate ships out

Finding Your Inmate After Transfer

When transfers happen, your first step is locating your inmate. Without a location, you can’t visit, send mail, or stay in touch.

CDCR Inmate Locator (most reliable tool)

Website: https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/

How to search: Enter inmate’s first name, last name, and CDC/A# number
Information provided: Current facility, housing location, custody level, release date
Update frequency: Usually updates within 24-48 hours of transfer completion
Accuracy: Generally accurate but can lag during system updates
Free: No cost, accessible 24/7
Limitations: Only shows current facility; doesn’t show transfer-in-progress status

Calling the facility directly

When: Use if Inmate Locator shows transfer but no facility info, or search results unclear
How: Call the current or likely facility and ask if inmate is there
Information needed: Inmate’s full name and CDC/A# number
Expected response: “Yes, inmate is here” or “No, inmate not at this facility”
Tone: Be polite and professional. Staff are busy; brief calls work better
What they won’t tell you: Housing location, custody level, or other details not needed for visiting

If you can’t find your inmate

Situation: Inmate was transferred but you can’t locate them

Patience: Locator can take 2-3 days to update during transfers
Try multiple times: Check Inmate Locator again in 24 hours
Call reception centers: New transfers usually go to reception center first. Call:
Northern California Reception Center (NCRC) - Vacaville
Southern California Reception Center (SCRC) - Chino
Call CDCR headquarters: If inmate is missing and in transit, central office tracks transfers
Ask inmate: If you have contact, ask where they’re being transferred and when to expect call/mail

Transfer in-transit status

During transfer: Inmate is in transit on a bus or in holding facility
Communication blackout: Inmate usually has no phone/mail access during transport
Duration: Usually 1-3 days depending on distance
Receiving facility: Usually reception center first, then routed to permanent facility
Locator status: May still show old facility or show “in transit” (facility-dependent)
Timeline to contact: Expect 5-10 days before inmate can contact you from new facility

The Transfer Process

Understanding the timeline and steps of a transfer helps you prepare.

How transfers are ordered

Classification staff decision: Usually driven by annual classification review or administrative need
Notice to inmate: Usually 1-7 days notice (sometimes no notice if urgent)
Notice to family: Inmate tells family during a call or in a letter; CDCR doesn’t notify you directly
Paperwork: Classification processes order and inmate receives copy
Appeal process: Inmate may have limited right to appeal (depends on reason)

Pre-transfer timeline

Day 1: Transfer order issued; inmate told they’re transferring
Day 2-3: Inmate gathers personal property, packs belongings
Day 3-5: Inmate may be in holding facility or special housing awaiting transport
Day 5-7: Transfer bus departs; inmate transported to new facility
Day 7-14: Inmate at reception center, processed into system
Day 14-30: Assigned to housing at permanent facility; orientation begins

What happens to inmate’s belongings during transfer

Personal property: Inmate packs what they can carry
Excess property: Items that exceed facility limits must be mailed out or destroyed
Loss risk: Items can be lost, stolen, or damaged during transfer
Mail/packages: Any mail in transit is either returned to sender or forwarded (varies)
Commissary purchases: If inmate ordered commissary at old facility, items may not arrive at new location
Money in account: Trust account balance transfers to new facility automatically

New facility orientation

Processing: Inmate completes medical and classification screening at new facility
Housing assignment: Assigned housing based on security level and capacity
Rules training: Learns new facility’s specific rules and procedures
Commissary account: New trust account created at new facility
Phone/mail approval: Phone number list resets; must resubmit for approval
Timeline: Orientation takes 3-5 days before inmate can call or receive visits

Impact on Visiting & Approval

Transfers significantly impact your ability to visit. Approval doesn’t automatically transfer.

Visiting approval doesn’t transfer

Old approval invalid: Your visiting approval at original facility is no longer valid at new facility
Process restarts: You must reapply for visiting approval at new facility
Timeline: Takes 2-4 weeks for approval at new facility
Resubmit documents: May need to resubmit ID and background check information
New approval letter: New facility issues new approval; old one should be discarded
Interim visiting: Some facilities allow limited visits before full approval (varies)

How to get approved at new facility

Get new facility’s visiting application form (from website, by mail, or in person)
Complete form with all required information (your info, relationship, background)
Include copy of valid ID (driver’s license)
Submit to new facility’s visiting office
Receive approval letter (takes 2-4 weeks)
Bring approval letter when you visit

Submit the visiting application to the new facility as soon as the transfer location is confirmed. Waiting can delay your next visit by several weeks.

Distance impact on visiting

Close transfer: Moving to facility near original location (50 miles) = minimal impact
Medium distance: 100-300 miles = visiting becomes difficult and costly (long drive, motel stay)
Far transfer: 300+ miles = visiting nearly impossible unless you fly/extensive travel
Regional facilities: Check if facilities are near family. Northern vs. southern California matters
Visiting alternative: If transfer is far, rely on phone calls and video visits

What to do immediately after transfer

Confirm location: Use Inmate Locator to confirm new facility
Get application: Request visiting approval application from new facility
Apply immediately: Submit by mail or in person
Follow up: Call visiting office in 2 weeks to confirm receipt and status
Plan timing: If approval takes 3-4 weeks, don’t plan visit until you have approval letter
Resubmit phone number: Inmate should resubmit your phone number for approval at new facility

Staying in Contact During Transfer

Transfers create a communication gap. Understanding the timeline helps manage expectations.

Communication blackout during transfer

Before transfer: Last contact is 1-2 days before departure
During transit: No contact for 1-3 days (in bus, in holding)
At new facility: In receiving/processing, no phone access usually
After processing: Phone approval takes 1-4 weeks to process
Total blackout: Typically 5-14 days without contact
Emotional impact: This gap is stressful for both parties; prepare mentally

Mail during transfer

Mail sent before transfer: May arrive at old facility, get returned, or forwarded (inconsistent)
Mail sent during transfer: Likely to be lost or returned to sender
Strategy: Stop sending mail 2 weeks before known transfer, resume after phone contact from new facility
Address confusion: Using wrong address results in returned mail
Letter communication: Ask inmate to call with new facility info before sending mail

Money transfers and commissary

Trust account: Balance automatically transfers to new facility
Commissary access: May be delayed during first weeks at new facility
Sending new money: Wait until inmate confirms facility before sending. Misdirected funds are problematic
New commissary rules: New facility may have different approved items or ordering process
Timeline: Usually can send money again 1 week after inmate calls from new location

What to do during communication blackout

Wait patiently: Expect 5-14 days of no contact
Check Inmate Locator: Use to confirm transfer completed
Don’t send mail/money: Wait for confirmation call before resuming
Keep phone ready: First call from new facility may come at unexpected time
Don’t assume problem: Lack of contact during transfer is normal; not necessarily an emergency
Call facility if urgent: Only call if there’s genuine emergency (medical, safety concern)

Reception Centers & Initial Transfers

New inmates go through reception centers before reaching permanent facilities. The initial transfer is part of this process.

What are reception centers?

Purpose: New inmates are processed, classified, and assigned to appropriate facility
Northern California Reception Center (NCRC): Vacaville; handles northern California intakes
Southern California Reception Center (SCRC): Chino; handles southern California intakes
Duration: Usually 1-6 weeks at reception center before transfer to permanent facility
Process: Medical screening, mental health evaluation, gang affiliation assessment, classification
Temporary status: Reception facilities are strictly temporary; all inmates transfer onward

Timeline for initial transfer from reception center

Week 1: Intake screening, medical evaluation, initial processing
Week 2-3: Classification review, psychological evaluation, housing assignment
Week 3-4: Transfer order issued; inmate given custody assignment
Week 4-6: Transfer to permanent facility (may wait for transport availability)
First contact: Phone approval at reception center takes 1-2 weeks; may differ at permanent facility

Preparing for initial facility transfer

During reception: Your inmate is there temporarily only
Plan for next move: Expect transfer 3-6 weeks after arrival at reception
Don’t get attached: Your visiting approval at reception facility will not transfer
Watch Inmate Locator: Check regularly to see when they’ve transferred to permanent facility
Ask during calls: Ask what facility they’ve been assigned to; helps you prepare
Start permanent approval: Immediately apply for visiting approval at permanent facility once assigned

Additional Information

Communication gap during transfer

Transfer processing includes in-transit periods with limited communication access. Communication blackout typically lasts 5-14 days from transfer order to restoration of phone/mail service at new facility. Inmate Locator updates may lag actual transfer completion by 2-3 days.

Geographic transfer impact on visiting distance

Transfers may increase distance to the facility. Northern to southern California transfers can increase distance from 100 to 400+ miles. Visiting frequency is affected by distance and travel costs.

Visiting approval validity across facilities

Visiting approval is facility-specific and does not transfer to new facilities. Reapplication at the new facility requires 2-4 weeks for processing. There is a gap in visiting access while waiting for new approval.

Mail handling during transfer

Mail sent during active transfer processing may be returned to sender or lost. Mail routing to receiving facilities is inconsistent. Transfer timing makes mail delivery unpredictable during the transfer period.

Facility rule and commissary differences

Commissary systems, approved items, and pricing vary between facilities. Commissary ordering windows may differ at new facilities. Item availability and ordering procedures differ at each facility.

Inmate Locator update delays

Inmate Locator may not update immediately upon transfer completion. Updates typically occur 24-48 hours after transfer completion. Multiple locator checks may be needed to confirm new facility location.

Phone number re-approval timeline

Phone numbers must be re-approved at new facilities. Re-approval processing takes 1-4 weeks. Previously approved phone numbers are not automatically transferred and require resubmission by the inmate.

Advance transfer information

Inmates may receive 1-2 weeks advance notice of scheduled transfers. Transfer information provided by the inmate allows preparation of address information and anticipated contact timeline at new facility.

Frequent Inmate Locator checking

Regular checking of the Inmate Locator (weekly or daily during known transfers) allows prompt location confirmation. Locator updates indicate transfer completion and new facility assignment.

Visiting application submission timing

Visiting applications should be submitted to new facilities immediately after transfer is confirmed. Early submission improves approval timing. Submitting within one week of transfer improves chances for faster processing.

Lower custody level transfers

Transfers to lower security level facilities typically allow access to improved facility conditions and programs. Communication and visiting approval disruption is temporary once permanent facility placement is completed.

Transfer frequency over incarceration

Initial transfers from reception center are common. Long-term facility placement stabilizes after initial classification. Contact routine and communication channels become established once permanent facility placement is completed.