Find Bakersfield Released Inmates
Released inmate records for Bakersfield are managed by the Kern County Sheriff and the Bakersfield Police Department. The city does not run its own jail. When Bakersfield police arrest someone, the person goes to the Kern County jail system. The sheriff keeps all booking and release data for people held at the Lerdo Justice Facility and Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield. You can search for released inmates online through the county's free inmate search tool. For arrest reports and police case files, use the Bakersfield PD records portal. This page covers how to find released inmate records from both agencies in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Released Inmates Quick Facts
Kern County Jail and Bakersfield Inmates
Bakersfield sits in Kern County. The county sheriff runs the local jail system. That is where Bakersfield police bring people after an arrest. The Lerdo Justice Facility and Central Receiving Facility are the main jail sites serving the Bakersfield area. When someone is released from these facilities, the county updates its records. You can check the status of a Bakersfield inmate through the Kern County Sheriff's inmate search tool at kernsheriff.org/Inmate_Search. The tool is free and available all day.
Search by name to find a released inmate. The system shows the person's booking number, charges, bail, and release status. If the person left custody, you can see the release date. If they are still held, the record shows the housing unit and next court date. The Kern County Sheriff records unit also handles copy requests. A report copy costs $5, and a clearance letter is $5. Call (661) 391-7500 for questions about Bakersfield released inmate records held by the county.
Note: Kern County responds to public records requests within 60 days for general inquiries.
Bakersfield Inmate Search Process
Go to the Kern County inmate search page. Type in the person's last name. You can add a first name to narrow down results. Hit search. The system pulls up matching records from the county jail. Each listing shows the booking date, charges, bail amount, and current status. Released inmates have a release date listed in their record. The tool covers anyone booked at the Kern County facilities, including those arrested by Bakersfield police.
Bakersfield released inmate records from the county jail typically include:
- Full name and physical description
- Booking number and date of arrest
- Charges and bail amount
- Release date and method
- Arresting agency in Kern County
For state prison records, the CDCR runs the CIRIS database. That tool covers people who served time in California state prisons, not county jails. Use CIRIS if you are looking for someone who went to state prison rather than the Kern County jail in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Police Records Portal
The Bakersfield Police Department has its own records division. Arrest reports, case files, and incident reports are held by BPD, not the county sheriff. To get these records for a released inmate from a Bakersfield arrest, use the department's JustFOIA portal at bakersfieldca.justfoia.com. You can also call (661) 326-3854 or go to the station at 1601 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Police reports cover the details of the arrest. They describe what happened, who was involved, and the officer's account of events. Jail records from Kern County cover the booking side, which includes charges, bail, and release status. You may need records from both places if you want a full picture of a Bakersfield released inmate's case. BPD responds to public records requests within 10 calendar days under California law. An extension of up to 14 days is possible for unusual requests. The JustFOIA portal lets you track your request online and get updates as staff process it.
California Law on Bakersfield Releases
California law requires public access to arrest data. Government Code 7923.610 says every law enforcement agency must share the full name, date of birth, physical description, arrest time, booking time, charges, bail, and release details for anyone they arrest. This covers both the Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff. The only exception is when sharing a specific detail would put someone in danger or harm an investigation. The law took effect January 1, 2023, and applies to all Bakersfield released inmate records.
State prison parolees coming to Bakersfield fall under Penal Code 3003. CDCR must tell Kern County law enforcement when a released inmate will be living in the area. The data includes names, physical traits, tattoos, offenses, and the person's new address. Parolees must return to the county where they lived before prison unless CDCR grants a transfer to a different part of California. Each person released from state prison gets $200 in gate money.
VINE Alerts for Bakersfield Released Inmates
The VINE notification system tracks custody changes for inmates in Kern County. Sign up for free alerts by phone, email, or text. VINE runs 24 hours a day in over 200 languages. It covers the Kern County jail and state prisons across California. Call 1-877-411-5588 to register by phone, or go to vinelink.com.
VINE is the fastest way to learn when a Bakersfield inmate gets released. The system sends your alert within minutes of a custody change. Victims, families, and anyone else can register. Kern County lists VINE as one of its primary inmate lookup resources. If the county's online inmate search does not show what you need, VINE can fill the gap with real-time custody updates for released inmates in the Bakersfield area.
The Bakersfield Police Department uses a JustFOIA portal at bakersfieldca.justfoia.com for public records requests related to released inmates and arrest data.
File a request through the portal to get arrest reports and case documents from BPD. The system tracks your submission and provides status updates.
Nearby Cities With Inmate Records
Bakersfield is the largest city in Kern County, but people are sometimes booked in other jurisdictions. If your search for a released inmate in Bakersfield does not turn up results, try checking nearby cities that also have inmate records available online.