The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department was founded in 1853. Today, the department maintains jails for several thousand inmates.
If you have a loved one in the system, you will want to know all the details of this jail system. Finding clear information about a jail can be difficult.
It's time to learn more about the San Bernardino County Jail system. From visiting policy to how to send mail to inmates, we cover it all in this guide. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
The San Bernardino County Jail System
Due to its large population, San Bernardino does not have just one county jail. It has four separate facilities, all of which are administered by the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department.
There are several factors that decide where an inmate may be housed. This may include their individual circumstances and current population rates at each facility.
Remember, you can use our inmate locator to find out exactly where an inmate is staying. This includes details of their block and bunk number.
Central Detention Center
The Central Detention Center was the main county jail in San Bernardino for many years. It is now supported by other facilities.
It houses over 600 county inmates. More than 800 federal prisoners are also held here.
The Central Detention Center is also used by the US Marshal's Service as a transportation hub for federal inmates.
Various programs are available to help inmates with their personal development. These include drug treatment programs and vocational training. Some prisoners here may work on active firefighting crews.
The phone number for the Central Detention Center is 909-386-0969.
West Valley Detention Center
West Valley Detention Center was built to ease overcrowding at Central Detention Center. The prison opened in 1991 and has more than 600 employees.
The capacity of West Valley Detention Center is 3,347. Most of the prison's population is formed of pre-trial inmates. Many of these make court appearances by video link, while others are brought to court by the county transport division.
A range of programs are offered to inmates at this facility. These include training schemes in landscape maintenance and culinary services.
The phone number for West Valley Detention Center is 909-708-8371. Visiting hours are from 8am to 5:30pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
High Desert Detention Center
The High Desert Detention Center is the most modern facility within San Bernardino system. Just like West Valley Detention Center, it was opened to ease overcrowding in the San Bernardino County system.
This mixed-security jail can hold around 2,100 inmates. 200 staff are on hand to keep good order.
The phone number for the High Desert Detention Center is 760-530-9300.
Glen Halen Rehabilitation Center
The Glen Halen Rehabilitation Center holds both men and women. It is the primary holding facility for those sentenced to county commitments.
The phone number for the Glen Halen Rehabilitation Center is 909-708-8371. Visiting hours are from 9am to 7pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
Commissary
Jail commissary facilities provide some key luxuries for jail inmates. Access to these items can help to improve physical and mental health.
Commissary facilities are available at all four of San Bernardino's jails. Snacks and hygiene items are available to all prisoners. These can be ordered directly by the prisoner, or sent via friends or family members via the iCare website.
Inmates must use their prison accounts to make commissary purchases. They can use their own money, or cash that was sent to them by relatives.
Sending money to inmates in this jail system is easy. Friends and family members can deposit money into an inmate's account by using the deposit kiosks in every one of the jail lobbies. These machines take donations at any time and can accept cash or card payments.
When released, inmates will receive any unused account balance in the form of cash or a check.
Bail
Many inmates in the San Bernardino jail system are awaiting bail payments. Luckily, it's easy to make these payments.
Bail payments can be made at any of the county jail facilities. Cash, checks, property, and bail bonds are all accepted. You will find many bail bond facilities within a short distance from each of the county jails.
The phone number for bail-related issues in San Bernardino is 909-350-2476.
Mental Health Arrests
If your loved one is arrested with mental health problems, there are several ways you can support them. The first step should be locating the inmate and speaking with them on the phone in order to offer your support. This is vital, as patients with mental health problems often need additional help in a jail environment and may require moving to a mental health unit.
You can then give additional information to the jail authorities to help your loved one get the proper care. Prepare information about the person's background, diagnoses, and any treatments or medications they may require.
Using this information, you can request an inmate is screened for admission into a mental health unit. Call the public information number on (909) 350-2476 for details on where to send this information.
Work Release
All inmates of San Bernardino County jails have the potential to engage in work release programs. These programs allow inmates to leave the jail to work for approved past employers.
If no suitable past employer is available, county inmates may be permitted to carry out manual work for public agencies. This could include becoming part of a firefighting crew and working to fight forest fires in the area.
Visiting the San Bernardino County Jail System
The same visiting policy applies to each of the county's jail facilities. Before visiting inmates, it's important to familiarize yourself with these details to avoid any issues.
Each inmate can only receive two inmates at a time, as long as one of these visitors is a minor and one an adult. Keep any children within arm's reach and ensure they are well-behaved throughout the visit.
Inmates can receive a maximum of two visits each week, lasting an hour in total. Be sure to arrive at the jail at least 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled visit, as this will allow you to pass through the various checks required to get into the jail. You can expect to have your person and bags searched on your way inside.
It should be noted that convicted felons may not visit any California prison or jail without the express written permission of the facility commander.
Remember, guards can terminate visits at any time if they feel you are acting dangerously or inappropriately. Keep everything calm and respectable. This will ensure a smooth visit with minimal distractions.
Inmate Mail
Inmates in San Bernardino County can send and receive an unlimited number of letters. This applies to personal letters sent to friends and family, as well as legal communications with lawyers.
It is also important to avoid any items prohibited by jail authorities. This includes blank paper, large numbers of photographs, and gang-related materials.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's corrections website contains a full list of prohibited items. Be sure to carefully screen anything you send, as sending prohibited items could cause them to be confiscated and get an inmate in trouble.
Providing Reading Material
Reading material can be a great help to prisoners. Whether it's simply helping to pass the time or providing an opportunity for education, quality written materials are a hugely valuable resource in prisons.
However, there are several regulations you need to keep in mind when attempting to send books, magazines, and other media into prisons.
Inmate Release
Inmates may be released from the custody of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for two reasons. Either they have completed their court-ordered sentence, or they are being released on bail.
All inmates released at the end of their sentence will leave the jail between 6am and 6pm. You can use the VINE system to be notified of a change in an inmate's status. This will allow you to keep track of a friend or loved one.
Learn More About Different Jail Facilities
If you have a loved one in jail, or you're expecting to do some time yourself, it's important to know everything possible about a given facility. Finding out these details about the San Bernardino County Jail system can help things go more smoothly for you or your loved ones. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power.
Whether you're looking to locate an inmate or learn more about a particular facility, we can help. Jail Exchange has all the information you could ever need on this topic. Contact us today with any specific queries.
