From the time the first offender was arrested in Kern County, the Sheriff has always been faced with the task of transporting prisoners. Whether to court, medical appointments, other institutions or from other jurisdictions, prisoner transportation has always been an element of the Sheriff’s duties. The presence of the Sheriff has also long been required in the courts to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for the dispensing of justice. Not much has changed over the years in the way these duties are performed, except the volume of prisoners, the number of courts, institutions, and facilities, and the modes of travel.

The Metropolitan (formerly Superior) Court Unit provides bailiffs to the Metro Courts and the Juvenile Justice Center Courts of Kern County. In addition to the bailiffs, the unit employs a staff of court guards.

The Justice (formerly Municipal) Court Unit provides bailiffs, deck officers and guards in the Justice Court facilities throughout Kern County.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office Transportation Unit is comprised of a Sergeant, two Senior Deputies and 29 Deputies who are responsibile for transporting inmates to and from the ten Superior Courts in Bakersfield and outlying areas of Kern County.  The Unit also transports inmates to medical appointments and prisons throughout California.  These duties are accomplished through the use of the unit's 34 vehicles which include large and medium capacity buses, vans, and cars. The Unit also handles one to two extraditions a week from states across the country.  These services enhance the judicial process and inmate safety by allowing the timely appearance of inmates in court and at necessary medical appointments.