Access San Mateo County Released Inmates

Released inmate records in San Mateo County are maintained by the county sheriff's office. The sheriff operates the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City and provides an online inmate locator for public searches. You can check current custody status and find information about recently released inmates through the sheriff's website. San Mateo County sits on the San Francisco Peninsula and processes bookings from cities across the county. This page covers how to search for released inmates in San Mateo County, where to find records, and what California law requires agencies to share.

San Mateo County Inmate Locator

The San Mateo County Sheriff runs an inmate locator at smcsheriff.com/inmate-information. This tool lets you search for people held at the Maguire Correctional Facility. The jail is located in Redwood City and serves the entire county. You can search by name to find current inmates or people who were recently released. Results show booking details, charges, bail amounts, and custody status. No account or login is needed. The search tool is free and available around the clock.

The Maguire Correctional Facility handles bookings from local police departments in cities like Daly City, South San Francisco, San Mateo, Redwood City, and others. People arrested anywhere in San Mateo County are generally brought here for processing. The sheriff's office also runs the county's women's facility. When an inmate is released from either facility, the online system updates to reflect the change. You can check back on the inmate locator to confirm whether someone has been let go.

For records that go beyond what the online tool shows, reach out to the San Mateo County Sheriff's records division. They can process requests for booking sheets, arrest reports, and other documents tied to released inmates in San Mateo County.

How to Look Up San Mateo County Inmates

Visit the San Mateo County Sheriff's inmate information page. Type the person's last name into the search field. Add a first name to narrow your results. The system checks the jail database and returns any matches. Each record shows the inmate's charges, booking number, bail amount, and whether they are currently in custody or have been released. The tool is simple. Most people get results in seconds.

San Mateo County released inmate records generally contain these data points:

• Full name and date of birth
• Booking number and arrest date
• Charges filed at the time of booking
• Bail amount set by the court
• Custody status and release information
• Arresting agency in San Mateo County

The online locator focuses on recent and current jail activity. Older records about released inmates in San Mateo County may need a formal request. Submit a public records request to the sheriff's office under the California Public Records Act. Include the person's name, approximate date of arrest, and any other details you have to speed up the process.

California Law on San Mateo Inmate Records

Every law enforcement agency in California must share certain booking information with the public. Government Code 7923.610 lists exactly what must be made available. For the San Mateo County Sheriff, that includes the full name, date of birth, physical description, time of arrest, time of booking, arrest location, charges, bail, and the manner of release for each person. The only exception is when sharing a detail would endanger someone or compromise an ongoing investigation. This law went into effect on January 1, 2023, and it applies to all San Mateo County released inmate records.

State prison parolees who come to San Mateo County are governed by Penal Code 3003. CDCR must inform local law enforcement when a parolee is heading to the county. The notice covers names, physical traits, tattoos, scars, offense history, and the planned residence address. Parolees must return to the county where they last lived before prison unless CDCR grants an exception. Each person released from state prison gets $200 in gate money and transportation to a bus or train station if no one comes to get them.

VINE Alerts for San Mateo County

You can track released inmates in San Mateo County through the VINE notification system. It is free. Register for alerts by phone, email, or text message. When an inmate's custody status changes at the Maguire Correctional Facility, VINE sends a notification within minutes. The system runs 24 hours a day and supports over 200 languages. Call 1-877-411-5588 to register by phone, or visit vinelink.com to set up alerts online.

VINE covers county jails and state prisons in California along with facilities in 47 other states. About 2,900 facilities nationwide are in the system. For San Mateo County, VINE is often the quickest way to know when someone gets released. The sheriff's office and victim advocacy groups both recommend it. Anyone can sign up. You do not need to be a victim or a family member to use the service for tracking released inmates in San Mateo County.

The California DOJ criminal record review page at oag.ca.gov is shown below. San Mateo County residents can use this to check their own criminal history or learn about the state records system.

To get a copy of your own record, submit Live Scan fingerprints and pay the $25 processing fee. The DOJ processes most requests within 2 to 3 days, though some take up to 2 weeks.

State Records for San Mateo County Inmates

The CIRIS database from CDCR tracks state prison inmates connected to San Mateo County. Search by name or CDCR number. The results show facility locations, admission dates, commitment counties, and parole hearing outcomes. CIRIS is free and runs all day. It covers both current inmates and people who have been released from California state prisons. For specific documents, submit a request through the CDCR Public Records Portal. The state has 10 days to respond, with a possible 14-day extension.

The California DOJ handles a separate set of records. The DOJ PRA page explains how to request public information held by the Attorney General. Copies cost 10 cents per page. The DOJ does not keep local court records, though. For San Mateo County court files or county-level documents about released inmates, contact the sheriff or the county clerk directly.

Note: Third parties cannot request someone else's criminal history from the DOJ in California.

Nearby Counties

San Mateo County shares borders with several other Bay Area counties. If you cannot find a released inmate in the San Mateo system, they may have been booked elsewhere. Try these nearby counties.