San Diego Central Jail

To search for an inmate in the San Diego Central Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 619-409-5000 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a list of criminal courts for San Diego County and every other county in California. The San Diego County District Attorney also has a helpful website where you can look up an offender's criminal court case online.

The San Diego County Sheriff provides a resource for looking up Active Arrest Warrants for this county.

San Diego Central Jail Inmate Search

This is a link to all of the city and county jails, and juvenile detention facilities in San Diego County.

The San Diego Central Jail maintains an average of 980 offenders in custody on any given day. The San Diego Central Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year San Diego County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 131,780 offenders.

The following charts of San Diego County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the San Diego County Corrections Department, the state of California Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in San Diego County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for San Diego County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail? What is the Schedule?

San Diego Central Jail in-person Social Visits
619-409-5000

Schedule an In-person Visit

• In-person social visit reservations can be scheduled by calling 619-409-5000 Wednesday through Sunday, during the hours of 6:30am to 6:00pm.
• Visitation is available 5 days a week, with no visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  
• A maximum of 3 visitors, including children, are permitted per visit.
• Minors must be accompanied by a parent, court appointed guardian or other adult having legal custody.
• Visitors 18 and over must have valid ID.
• Social visits are free, and 30 minutes in length.

San Diego Central Jail In-Person Visitation Times

• Register by calling 619-409-5000, during the hours of 6:30am to 6:00pm. 
• Make sure you know your inmate's unit prior to calling.
• Reservations must be made one day in advance.
• Check in 30 minutes in advance of visit.
• Each unit is given certain times on certain days.

To schedule a remote visit, register with Smart Inmate

San Diego Central Jail uses Smart Communications for Remote Video Visitation between inmates and their loved ones.

How Video Visitation Works
SmartJailMail.com provides a two-way, real-time video visitation system which can be used to speak to your loved ones directly in their housing location within the jail.
At some locations you may also use a lobby kiosk at the facility to visit for free when scheduling a local / on-site visit.
Remote visits from home cost 50 cents per minute and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute increments.
To schedule a video visit you must first open a Smart Communications account.

Remote Video Visits From Home
Once you are connected with an inmate you can use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Remote visits from home are billed on a credits-per-minute model and are scheduled in 15 or 30 minute blocks.

Local / On-Site Video Visits
Once you are connected with an inmate at a location where you have a visitation kiosk in the lobby, you may use the visitation section of the website to schedule a visit.
Local / on-site visits are provided free of charge.

This link explains everything you need to know about Smart Communications Video Visitation.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Central Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail?

Schedule a Remote Video Visit

• Home remote video visitation is available 7 days a week for most housing units.  
• All Video Calls are free.
• Video visit reservations can be made by calling 619-610-1647, during the hours of 6:30am to 6:00pm. 
• Video visits are 30 minutes in length.
• Visiting schdules can change with no notice.

Register with Securus online prior to calling to make a reservation.

Scheduling Times for Remote Video Visits - 30 Minute Videos

Register with Securus

• Units: 4A, 4B, 4C, 4E,
• Units 5A, 5B, 5C, 5E,
• Units 6B-6E,
• Units 7A, 7D, 7B, 7C, 7E,
• Units 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Central Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail?

How to Deposit Money into an Inmate's Account in San Diego Central Jail

To deposit money into the account of an inmate in San Diego County, follow these instructions:

• Create an account with Touchpay Services, a GTL company.
• 
• Select California.
• Select San Diego Central Jail
• Enter the Inmate ID of your inmate.  This can be found by calling 619-409-5000 or by looking up the inmate's name in the Inmate Search link.
• Enter your billing information and send money.
• You can also deposit cash using the kiosk at the San Diego Central Jail.  To do this you need the Inmate's ID Number and the Facility Locator Number for San Diego County.

For all the information you need regarding making an inmate deposit, what it costs, how much you can send, how long it takes for your inmate to receive funds and more, and to get the Facility Locator Number, check out our Send Money Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Central Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail?

All phone calls from San Diego County Sheriff's Department jails are free.

Local, long distance, and international calls are free.

A person can make unlimited phone calls per day.

To give everyone equal opportunity to use the phone, each call will be limited to 15 minutes.

You must first register your inmate with Securus.

How to Set up a Phone Account and Receive Calls from an Inmate in San Diego Central Jail

To communicate by telephone with a San Diego County inmate, follow these instructions:

• To receive phone calls from a San Diego County inmate you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
• 
• Once you open an account, you may search for San Diego County inmates or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the San Diego County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• San Diego Central Jail will then need to approve the request before you can receive phone calls.

For all the information you need to receive phone calls from a San Diego Central Jail inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, how often you can receive calls and when you can receive them and more, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: Your phone calls will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case. Anything discussed on the calls may be used in your inmate's court case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Central Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail, and what can I send them?

San Diego Central Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The San Diego Central Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The San Diego Central 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 Booking #
San Diego Central Jail
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
San Diego Central Jail
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

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
The San Diego Central Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source 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 San Diego Central Jail standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
San Diego Central Jail
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

San Diego Central Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the San Diego Central 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 San Diego Central Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
San Diego Central Jail
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071


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 San Diego Central Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail, and what can I purchase?

San Diego Central Jail Commissary and Money Deposits

Friends and family of inmates in the San Diego Central Jail can purchase commissary online and have that shipped directly to an inmate.

Commissary items range from snacks to hygeine products to stationary. You can even deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own items.

How to Purchase Commissary for an Inmate in San Diego Central Jail 

Friends and family of inmates in the San Diego Central Jail can purchase commissary online and have that shipped directly to an inmate.

Commissary items range from snacks to hygeine products to stationary. You can even deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own items.

To learn everything you need to know about how to purchase commissary for an inmate, and limits to how much you can deposit, check out our Commissary Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Central Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Every San Diego Central Jail inmate is allowed to send and receive two digital messages per day, each totalling no more than 2,500 text charcters.

Instructions for emailing an inmate

Search for the inmate on Who’s in Jail site using the incarcerated person’s name. To prevent conflicts in spelling, you may search using only the first two letters of the first and last name.
Next, do the Captcha code to verify you are not a bot.

You should see a list with one or more names. Click on the last name of the correct person to view the inmate's page in the Who’s in Jail system. 
Halfway down the page you will see an envelope icon you can click in order to send a message. Follow the instructions on submitting your email address.
Then open your email account, click on the link and send your message.

How to Email / Text an Inmate in the San Diego Central Jail

Every San Diego Central Jail inmate is allowed to send and receive two digital messages per day, each totalling no more than 2,500 text charcters.

Instructions for emailing an inmate

Search for the inmate on Who’s in Jail site using the incarcerated person’s name. To prevent conflicts in spelling, you may search using only the first two letters of the first and last name.
Next, do the Captcha code to verify you are not a bot.

For complete instructions on how to exchange emails with an inmate in the San Diego Corrections system, check out our Inmate Email page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Central Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the San Diego Central Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

San Diego Central Jail Gives Inmates Access to Tablets At No Cost for Communication, Research and Entertainment

They may not be directly connected to the internet, but inmates at San Diego Central Jail are provided free tablets to use within the jail that allow them to have access to the following services and information:

• Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
• eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
• Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
• Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
• Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
• Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
• Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
• eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
• Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
• Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
• Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
• Video Visitation - Visitation may not be allowed on the Tablets.  Call San Diego Central Jail at 619-409-5000 to confirm.

The availability of tablets may seem like something that inmates who are serving time do not deserve, but here are some of the benefits for inmates in San Diego County:

• Keeps inmates busy.
• The threat of losing access to tablets keeps them better behaved.
• Safer for the staff to keep inmates happy.
• Allows communication with family members.
• Educational programming.
• Legal research.
• Social programming such as anger management, substance abuse, etc.

San Diego Central Jail Gives Inmates Access to Tablets At No Cost for Communication, Research and Entertainment

They may not be directly connected to the internet, but inmates at San Diego Central Jail are provided free tablets to use within the jail that allow them to have access to the following services and information:

• Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
• eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
• Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
• Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
• Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
• Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
• Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
• eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
• Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
• Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
• Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
• Video Visitation - Visitation may not be allowed on the Tablets.  Call San Diego Central Jail at 619-409-5000 to confirm.

The availability of tablets may seem like something that inmates who are serving time do not deserve, but here are some of the benefits for inmates in San Diego County:

• Keeps inmates busy.
• The threat of losing access to tablets keeps them better behaved.
• Safer for the staff to keep inmates happy.
• Allows communication with family members.
• Educational programming.
• Legal research.
• Social programming such as anger management, substance abuse, etc.

For more information about Tablets and how your inmate can get one to use while he is in jail, chek out our Inmate Tablet page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Central Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-409-5000 for further assistance.

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding San Diego County?