Transfers & Facility Changes in CDCR

Why Transfers Happen

Transfers are a normal part of CDCR operations.

• Initial reception-center processing and classification
• Assignment to a permanent institution after intake
• Custody-level changes after a classification review
• Medical or mental health placement needs
• Program assignment or release planning
• Security, safety, or bed-space management

A transfer can be planned well in advance or happen quickly. CDCR generally does not give families advance notice.

Finding Someone After a Transfer

The public tool is the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS).

CDCR notes that CIRIS replaced the older public inmate locator, so older bookmarks should be updated. For help, CDCR lists its Identification Unit at (916) 445-6713 during business hours.

Reception Centers and Intake

Newly committed people do not go straight to a permanent prison.

• They are first processed at a reception center, where CDCR conducts medical and mental health screening, classification, and housing assessment.
• Reception processing commonly takes several weeks before assignment to a permanent institution.
• Wasco State Prison-Reception Center is one of CDCR’s primary reception institutions for men, and Central California Women’s Facility handles reception for women.
• Because a reception assignment is temporary, the institution shown at intake is usually not the permanent placement.

CIRIS is the reliable way to see when someone has moved from reception to a permanent institution.

Visiting Approval After a Transfer

CDCR handles visitor approval and scheduling at the institution level, so a move affects visiting.

• Confirm the new institution on CIRIS before assuming a visit can be scheduled.
• A transfer can require confirming or re-establishing visiting approval at the new prison, and the new institution’s visiting days, hours, and scheduling rules apply.
• Scheduling uses CDCR’s Visitation Scheduling Application (VSA).
• Approval and scheduling details are covered in Visiting in California.

Communication After a Transfer

A move interrupts contact even when it is routine.

Mail

• Mail addressed to the old institution may be delayed or returned.
• Confirm the current institution and its mailing address on CIRIS before sending mail.
• See Mail & Packages for address format and what can be sent.

Phone, tablet, and money

• Phone and tablet access can pause during movement and intake.
• An approved contact or phone list may need to be re-established at the new institution.
• The trust account moves with the person, but confirm the current location on CIRIS before sending money so a deposit is credited correctly.
• California is also changing its communication vendor from ViaPath to Securus across 2026, which can affect tablet and calling service around the same time as a move. See Phone & Video Calls.

Verify Before Acting

For the general, nationwide overview of this topic, see the national guide: Visiting Basics.