CDCR rules violation reports
Small procedural mistakes can carry serious consequences.
Built by a former CDCR Warden with direct experience presiding over disciplinary hearings — this tool reflects how hearings actually work, not just how they're written.
A Rules Violation Report can affect release date, housing, programming, visits, and future parole hearings.
This tool checks whether required procedures were followed, identifies what may have been missed, and explains the record in plain English.
Procedural issues are often buried in the paperwork — and easy to miss without knowing what to look for.
Who this is for
- Trying to understand a loved one's disciplinary report
- Received an RVR and unsure if procedures were followed
- Looking for issues that could support a grievance
- Want clarity before deciding what to do next
How it works
- 1Upload or paste your RVR paperwork. Drop in a PDF scan or paste the text from your RVR, hearing summary, or related documents. Don't have a copy yet? Read the guide on how to request it — or
- 2Get a free Statement of Facts. We summarize what the documents say in plain English — no jargon, no guessing. No payment required.
- 3Unlock the full report. A complete procedural review with concerns tied to specific Title 15 regulations, a compliance checklist, guidance on the grievance process, and sample grievance language — downloadable as a Word document. See sample findings
This tool identifies where procedures may not have been followed — not what the outcome will be. Even an RVR with real procedural errors can be denied on grievance review. The tool's job is to make sure you're asking the right questions.
This tool does more than provide information on RVRs — visit the Guides section for additional resources, free of charge, that can help your family and your incarcerated loved one understand the broader system.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Rules Violation Report?
A Rules Violation Report (RVR) — also referred to as a "115" under older CDCR terminology — is the formal disciplinary document CDCR uses when an incarcerated person is accused of violating prison rules. It is not an informal warning — it starts a formal process with real consequences including potential loss of good-time credits, changes to housing or programming, and entries in the central file that can surface at a parole hearing.
Can you file a grievance about an RVR?
Yes. Under California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Section 3481, incarcerated people may submit a written grievance regarding disciplinary decisions they disagree with — including the outcome of a hearing. Whether a grievance makes sense in a specific situation depends on the facts, the procedural record, and what the documents actually show. Our due process guide explains where the process most commonly breaks down.
What if the institution denies my grievance?
A denial at the institution is not the end of the process. Under Title 15, incarcerated people have the right to appeal an institutional denial to the CDCR Office of Appeals, which conducts an independent review and is not bound by the institution's conclusions. The procedural findings from this tool can form the foundation of that second level of review. Learn more on the About page.