OutSoonerFree help for families with a loved one inside.
California hub
Free · No sign-up · Stored nowhere

Ask the Right Office: California

Pick a problem to see the office, the official rule, the deadlines and who must file. Then fill in a plain-English letter in your browser, print or save it as a PDF, and add a follow-up date to your calendar.






Runs only in this browser. Nothing you type is sent or saved; closing the page clears it.

California at a glance

ProblemOfficeDeadline to fileResponse deadline
Time calculation reviewOffice of Grievances at the institution (CDCR Form 602-1/1824)No later than 60 calendar days after discovering the problem.60 calendar days (otherwise the claim is marked "Time Expired").
Credit (good time) disputeOffice of Grievances at the institution (CDCR Form 602-1/1824)No later than 60 calendar days after discovering the problem.60 calendar days (otherwise the claim is marked "Time Expired").
Medical request or complaintNot publishedNo later than 60 calendar days after discovering the problem.60 calendar days (otherwise the claim is marked "Time Expired").
Visit or mail denial appealOffice of Grievances at the institution (CDCR Form 602-1/1824)No later than 60 calendar days after discovering the problem.60 calendar days (otherwise the claim is marked "Time Expired").
Records requestThe records custodian at the agency that keeps the recordNo filing deadline in the statute.Within 10 days, decide whether the records can be released; one extension of up to 14 more days with written notice.
Parole fileNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Disability (ADA) accommodationOffice of Grievances (reasonable accommodation request on the same CDCR Form 602-1/1824)No later than 60 calendar days after discovering the problem.60 calendar days (otherwise the claim is marked "Time Expired").
Transfer or classificationOffice of Grievances at the institution (CDCR Form 602-1/1824)No later than 60 calendar days after discovering the problem.60 calendar days (otherwise the claim is marked "Time Expired").

Grievance rule: Cal. Code Regs., tit. 15, §§ 3482–3485 (as adopted Jan. 2026) (opens in new tab). Records: Cal. Gov. Code § 7922.535 (California Public Records Act) (opens in new tab). Who files a grievance: The incarcerated person (claimant).

Not legal advice. Rules change and facilities may add local steps; the official text controls. Missing a deadline can end a claim. Find free legal aid (LSC) (opens in new tab). Last checked .

Other states · California credit rules · Check the prison's math · Release countdown · What do I do now?

Report an error on this page

Sources: How we source and verify · Last verified: · Corrections