Looking for inmate information? The 48-bed Modoc County Jail is available 24 hours a day at 530-233-4416.
People arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in the county are taken here for booking and processing. Those held stay in custody until they are bonded out, released on their own recognizance, or ordered to remain until the disposition of their trial.
The facility’s roster is available through the inmate search tool.
Inmates with sentences of less than one year serve them here. Inmates with longer sentences are transferred to the California State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page includes information on the visitation schedule, putting money on an inmate’s account, mail, phone calls, voicemail, email and texting, tablet rentals, bail bonds, and commissary.
It’s smart to save the inmate’s booking number or jail ID for mail and messages. If it’s not online, call Modoc County Jail at 530-233-4416.
Phone: 530-233-4416
Physical Address:
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
Other Jails and Prisons
Looking for someone in the Modoc County Jail? The official inmate roster lets you search by name and review their charges, bond amount, visiting eligibility, and mugshot. Or call the jail at 530-233-4416 and ask. You can also find courthouse locations for Modoc County and the rest of California’s counties.
Modoc County Jail Inmate Search
Want to find out whether there’s a warrant for your arrest in Modoc County or anywhere in California? Need details on a court case involving a friend or relative? The California Superior Court is a good starting point.
The California Constitution gives most criminal defendants in Modoc County and across the state a right to bail before trial, except in certain capital and violent felony cases. In a 2021 ruling, the California Supreme Court held that judges must take a defendant’s ability to pay into account and may not hold someone solely because they can’t afford bail unless no less restrictive alternative will protect the public or ensure they appear in court. Rule 4.101 also bars judges from considering whether the defendant has requested a jury trial.
Calling the Modoc County Jail at 530-233-4416 is the quickest way to find out an inmate’s bail. As long as you know the crime they’re accused of, you can also look up the Modoc County bail schedule yourself. This county accepts cash, surety bonds, and property bonds.
The Modoc County Jail has a licensed capacity of 48 inmates, yet it is often forced to house many more, especially over the weekend. Most city and county jails in California see at least 35-40% of their inmates turn over monthly, another 25-30% every 90 days, another 15-20% every six months, and about 8-9% remain between six and twelve months. Stays of more than a year usually involve serious charges such as rape or murder, and because preparing those cases for trial takes time, offenders arrested in this county can remain in one of the Modoc County facilities far longer.
Approximately 1,760 offenders are arrested and detained by Modoc County law enforcement agencies every year.
The 48-bed Modoc County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Modoc County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, local police, Immigration, and other surrounding counties as needed.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 530-233-4416, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The Modoc County Jail also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
After an arrest, individuals are transported to Modoc County Jail for the booking process. This procedure ensures the person’s identity, assesses charges, and determines if they will be released, eligible for bail, or detained until court.
Remaining silent during this process is vital. Anything said could be used as evidence, so it’s wise to wait for an attorney before speaking about the arrest.
Here’s a breakdown of the booking steps at Modoc County Jail:
For questions about an arrestee’s bond, call the facility at 530-233-4416.
When an individual is arrested and booked at Modoc County Jail in Alturas, the outcomes include:
1. Release without bail, under the condition they appear for their court date.
2. Remain in custody until the court appearance.
3. Post a bail or bond for release. Contact 530-233-4416 for specific bail amounts.
Bail payments can be made in different ways.
For further information on posting bail in Modoc County, California, visit the Modoc County Jail Bail Information Page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Modoc County Jail? What is the Schedule?
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
530-233-4416
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE
VISITATION FOR WOMEN IS WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAYS FROM 10:00AM - 11:00AM
VISITATION FOR MEN IS WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAYS FROM 2:00PM - 3:00PM.
VISITATION FOR PROTECTIVE CUSTODY INMATES ARE WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAYS FROM 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Modoc County Jail uses CIDNET for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their friends and family.
Register here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
CIDNET help line (choose prompt 2), also the number inmate calls come from: (888) 984-1903
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Modoc County Jail?
Friends & Family Portal Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
CIDNET help line (choose prompt 2), also the number inmate calls come from: (888) 984-1903
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Modoc County Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Modoc County Jail?
To register and sign up for a phone account with CIDNET Inmate Phone Service, follow the instructions below:
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding making phone calls with an inmate in Modoc County, visit our full page guide.
NOTE: All phone conversations are recorded. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How do I Mail an Inmate in the Modoc County Jail, and what can I send them?
Postcards
Ask the Modoc County Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Modoc County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
Ask the Modoc County Jail whether books can be mailed in, and whether they must come straight from a publisher or retailer such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Modoc County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Modoc County Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
For inmates receiving mail in the Modoc County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Modoc County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
c/o Modoc County Jail
102 South Court Street
Alturas, CA 96101
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Modoc County Jail, and what can I purchase?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Modoc County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Friends & Family Portal Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions on How to Use CIDNET
CIDNET Instrucciones
CIDNET help line (choose prompt 2), also the number inmate calls come from: (888) 984-1903
To send and receive secure texts or emails from an inmate housed in Modoc County follow these instructions:
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues with Texting and Emailing an inmate in Modoc County, visit our full page guide.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Do Inmates in the Modoc County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:
Here's how it works:
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Modoc County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 530-233-4416 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
What are the other City and County Jails in Modoc County?
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Modoc County?
This facility, known as "Modoc County Jail" is also known as Modoc County Sheriff, Modoc County Criminal Court, Modoc County Jail , Modoc County Jail , California, Modoc.
