Kern County Jail Inmate Database
Kern County maintains an online inmate search system for finding jail mugshots and booking records. The Sheriff's Office operates facilities that house an average of 1,700 inmates daily. The main jail sits at 1350 Norris Road in Bakersfield. You can search for people in custody through the Kern County inmate search portal at any time. This database shows current inmates, booking dates, charges, and mugshots. Kern County covers a large area of central California with Bakersfield as the county seat. The online system updates constantly as people are booked and released from Kern County facilities. Public access is free and does not require login credentials to view arrest records.
Kern County Jail Quick Facts
Search Kern County Inmates
The Kern County Sheriff inmate search lets you find people by name or booking number. Enter at least a last name to start searching. The system returns results from all Kern County detention facilities.
Each result shows basic information like name, booking date, and charges. Click on a person to see their full record. The detail page includes a booking photo, physical description, bail amount, court dates, and custody location within Kern County.
Mugshots appear in the search results. You can view booking photos without creating an account. The Kern County database shows images for most current inmates and recent arrests.
The system updates in real time as bookings occur. Refresh the page to see the latest information. This includes new arrests and releases from Kern County jails.
Kern County Jail Contact
The main jail is at 1350 Norris Road in Bakersfield, California 93308. This facility handles most bookings for Kern County. Call the inmate information line at (661) 861-3110 to check if someone is in custody. You can also reach Central Receiving at (661) 868-6850.
Staff can confirm custody status, provide booking details, and answer questions about bail and visitation. You will need the person's full name or booking number. The information line operates during business hours for Kern County.
Bakersfield is the largest city in Kern County. The Sheriff operates multiple facilities in addition to the main jail. All locations connect to the same inmate database accessible through the Kern County Sheriff website.
Finding Booking Photos
Start with the person's name. You need a last name at minimum. Adding a first name helps narrow results. The Kern County system searches all current inmates and recent bookings.
Look at the booking date and charges to identify the right person. Someone with multiple arrests will have separate records. Each booking has its own mugshot and details in the Kern County database.
Booking photos show up in search results. Click any photo to see a larger version. The full record page displays the mugshot along with height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks for that Kern County arrest.
If you have the booking number, enter it directly. This takes you straight to that specific record without sorting through matches. Booking numbers are unique to each arrest in Kern County. You might find this on bond papers or court documents.
Very old records may not be in the online system. The database focuses on current and recent inmates. For archived Kern County mugshots, contact the Sheriff's records division. They can search older files for a fee.
Note: All searches are free. No account or registration is needed to view Kern County jail records online.
California Public Records Law
Government Code 6254(f) mandates disclosure of booking information. This applies to Kern County and all California law enforcement agencies. The statute lists specific data that becomes public when someone is arrested. Name, physical description, date of birth, arrest time and date, location, charges, and bail amount must be released.
Mugshots are public records in California. Booking photos can be disclosed unless a court order or specific exemption prevents it. Kern County posts these images online with few restrictions. You do not need to explain why you want the information.
Penal Code 13665 limits social media posting of mugshots for nonviolent crimes. This law only affects law enforcement social media accounts. It does not restrict official jail databases. The Kern County inmate search portal remains fully accessible to everyone.
Civil Code 1798.91.1 bans charging removal fees for mugshots. Some websites posted Kern County booking photos and demanded payment to delete them. California made this illegal. Companies that do this face lawsuits and civil penalties.
Inmate Services in Kern County
Kern County jails use Securus Technologies and Access Corrections for inmate services. These companies handle phone calls, video visits, and commissary deposits. You need to set up accounts with these vendors to use their services for Kern County inmates.
To send money to an inmate, use the Access Corrections system. You need their full name and booking number. Deposits typically post within a few hours. Inmates use the funds for commissary purchases and phone calls inside Kern County jails.
Video visitation may be available depending on facility policies. Check the Kern County Sheriff website for current rules. Some services require scheduling visits in advance through the vendor's online portal.
Tracking Inmates and Releases
VINE provides free notification for Kern County inmates. Visit vinelink.dhs.gov or call 877-411-5588. Enter the person's name to find them in custody. You can register for alerts when they are released or moved to another facility.
The service works all day every day. VINE searches jails across California and other states. If someone is transferred from Kern County to another jurisdiction, VINE updates their location.
Sign up for text or email alerts. You get a message the moment the person's custody status changes. This beats calling the Kern County jail every day to check on release dates.
Cities in Kern County
Kern County includes many cities and communities. Bakersfield is the largest and serves as the county seat. Other cities include Delano, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi. All arrests in these cities go through the Kern County jail system.
Some cities have their own police departments. Others contract with the Sheriff for law enforcement. Either way, everyone arrested in Kern County ends up in the county jail. You can search for any arrest using the same online database.
Nearby Counties
If you do not find someone in Kern County jails, try neighboring counties. Arrests near borders may result in booking elsewhere. Outstanding warrants can also cause transfer to other jurisdictions in California.
Tulare County Kings County San Luis Obispo County Ventura County Los Angeles County San Bernardino County
Each county has separate jails and databases. You need to search them individually. VINE can search all California counties at once if you are not sure where someone is being held.