How do I know if/when there is a hearing?

Basic Text

A victim/survivor can obtain information about whether an incarcerated person has a scheduled parole hearing in the following ways:

Notifications from OVSRS

For victims/survivors who are “registered” with the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) – that is, they submitted a CDCR Form 1707 and maintained up-to-date contact information – they will receive automatic updates about when a parole hearing is scheduled. Notifications about parole hearings must be sent to registered victims/survivors at least 90 days before the scheduled hearing.

Victims/survivors who have NOT yet registered for notifications may do so at any time. Information about how to register is available here.

CDCR’s Inmate Locator 

Any member of the public can find information on any person incarcerated in the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (CDCR) by using the “Inmate Locator,” which is available on CDCR’s website.

To find information about an incarcerated person, access the Inmate Locator and search for the person using their first and last name or their CDCR number.

Note: It is best to use a person’s CDCR number if the person has a common name. OVSRS can provide assistance in getting the correct CDCR number.

Click on the person’s name to go to the page with their basic information. At the bottom of the page, click on the yellow button “View Board of Parole Hearings’ Actions” to see the incarcerated person’s parole hearing history and any scheduled hearings. Parole hearings are scheduled approximately 6 months in advance.

Contact OVSRS

Victims/survivors may also contact OVSRS to find out whether a parole hearing is scheduled. OVSRS can be reached in the following ways:

• Email (victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov).
• Call toll-free at 1-877-256-OVSS (6877).
• Connect directly with a Victim Services Analyst via Live Chat on the OVSRS website.

OVSRS ofrece servicios bilingües en español.

Contact the District Attorney’s Office

Victims/survivors may also contact the District Attorney’s Office for the county in which the crime was committed.

Contact information for each of the county district attorney’s offices in California is available here.