San Diego Central Jail

Search for an Inmate in San Diego County

San Diego Central Jail Information

The San Diego Central Jail is a 980 bed jail in the city of San Diego, San Diego County, California. You can call them 24 hours a day for inmate information at 619-610-1647.

Offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in this county are brought here for booking and processing, and if their crime requires it, are incarcerated until they are either bonded out, are released from custody on their own recognizance, or are ordered to remain in custody until the disposition of their trial.

You can also use the inmate search tool to see this facility's roster of those who have been arrested and are still in custody.

Those who are found guilty and sentenced to a term of less than one year, will do their time in this county. Those sentenced to longer terms will be sent to either the California State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 619-610-1647, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.

It's always a good idea to find out and save the inmate's jail ID number or booking number as you may need this for sending mail or other communication needs. If you can't locate it online, you can call the San Diego Central Jail at 619-610-1647 to get it.

Phone: 619-610-1647

Physical Address:
1173 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
San Diego Central Jail
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
San Diego Central Jail
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the 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 619-610-1647 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.

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About the San Diego Central Jail

San Diego Central Jail, (SDCJ), is located in downtown San Diego at 1173 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101 The facility can be contacted by phone at 619-610-1647.

The jail, which opened in 1998, has 980 beds for inmates and has 400 employees working there. When it opened, it was considered a state-of-the art jail in terms of its technology, its focus on video surveillance cameras, and their emergency response systems.

In the County of San Diego, this is the facility that handles intake for most men who will be placed in other San Diego County jails. Some inmates stay there waiting for their arraignments. There are also inmates held there due to special needs (for instance they are high-profile individuals) or medical needs, particularly psychiatric.

The jail has what is known as a "Psychiatric Stabilization Unit", the largest unit of its kind in the County. The medical and dental treatment offerings at this facility are extensive, and yet suicides, drug-related deaths and inadequate care for people's disabilities and health needs have been found to be serious problems here and in other County facilities.

If you plan to see an inmate, it is important to learn about visitation policies. You can scroll down for basic guidelines on this website or look at a more detailed schedule by cell block on the Sheriff's website here. All visits are 30 minutes in duration.

Other helpful San Diego County Jail links:

 

 

 

 

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the San Diego Central Jail?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the San Diego Central Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 619-610-1647.

There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.

Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.

If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.

San Diego Central Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in San Diego County?

After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in San Diego County for booking.

Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

What is the booking process like at the San Diego Central Jail?

Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in San Diego County and other California and USA jurisdictions.

If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.

It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.

Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.

What happens after booking?

At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.

If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the San Diego Central Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.

Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

How long does the San Diego Central Jail Booking process take?

Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.

If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.

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Directions / Map to the San Diego Central Jail
Inmate Bail and Bonding

What is Bail?

Bail is what the arrested in San Diego County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance. 

The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program. 

Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane. 

If a judge in San Diego County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.  

Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court. 

If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the San Diego Central Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial. 

In California, bail can be denied under the following circumstances:

Capital crimes as with murder, acts of violence or threats to another when the evidence given supports the likelihood that the arrested committed the crime or will act upon the threats. Bail can also be denied if terms of parole, mandatory supervision, post-release orders or felony parole are violated. 

What is the difference between Bail and Bond?

Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different.

The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions.

Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.  

The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, San Diego County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.

DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.  

More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.  

Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond.  This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation. 

Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.  

On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.  

What are the different types of bonds in San Diego County?

Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.

To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid. Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid.

Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:

You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.

You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front. 

If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you. 

Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.

Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.

You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over. 

The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.

You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.

A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).  

Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.  

There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond. 

You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.  

A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met. 

With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved. 

Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.

Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing.

Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.

(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

Does San Diego County California have bail?

Yes, California is a bail state, and San Diego County allows bail; however California is among a growing number of states who will attempt to release a defendant under bail conditions and/or a reasonable dollar amount rather than impose a dollar amount that cannot be met.

What kind of bonds are accepted in San Diego County?

The court will consider what type of bonds from the following list depending on the circumstances of the arrest.

1.    Judicial public bail/bond is the release of a defendant without any money but must have some kind of supervision while out on bail. 

2.    Cash bail is payment by the defendant or another person in part or in full of the total bail.  The San Diego County Clerk of Court supervises this bond. 

3.    Property bail is when one or more people put up property owned in the state of California to cover the bond.  

4.    Professional surety bail is when the defendant is release on bail by having a professional bond company execute the bond.

5.    Unsecured bond is where the arrested is released from custody without having to pay a dollar amount upfront. Instead, the arrested and/or surety signs a bond that says that they will pay the full bond amount if they don’t show up to court. Even though there is no money paid, there are usually conditions such as supervised release, curfew, restraining order or attendance at a treatment center.

6.    A secured bond is where someone called a surety puts up property with greater value than the bond. A professional bondsperson can be a surety in California or a family or friend with property value that exceeds the amount of the bond amount.

Who can set bail in San Diego County?

For most misdemeanors, the police and bail magistrate can set bail at the time of the arrest and initial detention.

There are many factors to consider whether the arrested should be given bail and released or be detained until the arraignment. If the circumstances are such that the bail recommendations do not apply, then bail is set by the judge in Superior Court. The Superior Court judge can also consider changing the initial bail terms at the first court appearance.

When is bail set in California?

For some lesser crimes, bail can be set at the time of initial detention and for other crimes, bail is set at the arraignment which must occur within 48 hours of the arrest. 

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in San Diego County California? 

Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction if the bail had already been set.

In San Diego County California, who can pay bail for me? 

The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back. 

A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of California could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.

Can bail be paid online in San Diego County California?   

Yes, California does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: Go to the San Diego Central Jail for more information about the jails in San Diego County.

What options are there to pay bail in San Diego County California? 

Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted.

Go to the San Diego Central Jail for more information about posting bail in San Diego County.  

Will I get all my bond money back in California? 

Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount.

If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.

Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in San Diego County? 

The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.

A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front. 

If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you. 

Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.

A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.

What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in California?  

The San Diego Central Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.  

The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.

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Inmate Visitation

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

San Diego Central Jail in-person Social Visits
619-610-1647

Schedule an In-person Visit

  • In-person social visit reservations can be scheduled by calling 619-610-1647 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

DAY TIME
SUNDAY 9:00AM - 9:00PM
MONDAY 9:00AM - 9:00PM
TUESDAY NO VISITS
WEDNESDAY NO VISITS
THURSDAY 9:00AM - 9:00PM
FRIDAY 9:00AM - 9:00PM
SATURDAY 9:00AM - 9:00PM

 




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
DAYS TIMES
DAILY 7:30AM
8:15AM
9:00AM
9:45AM
DAILY 1:30PM
2:15PM
3:00PM
3:45PM
DAILY 7:30PM
8:15PM
9:00PM
9:45PM

San Diego Central Jail uses Securus Video Connect for Remote Inmate Video Visitation. 



Video Visitation allows 'approved' friends, family members, attorneys and clergy of an inmate to connect with them using their computer, Securus Video Visitation app, or ‘on-site’ kiosk. 

Steps:
Register and/or log in.
Select the facility of your inmate.
Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits.
Schedule your visit.

What is the Cost of a Remote Video Visit?
Costs vary and are subject to change, but generally visits range from $5.00 to $15.00 for a 15 to 30 minute online or on-site video visit.

How do you know if your Inmate will be available during the time you schedule?
The Securus system knows the times that San Diego Central Jail inmates are available for remote video visits.
It will not allow you to schedule a visit with your inmate if they are not available or the video visitation kiosk(s) in the jail are booked already.
Once you schedule a visit with your inmate they will be notified of the date and time of the visit.

Important Tips:
Your entire visit is being monitored and recorded. Do not say or do anything that you would not want being replayed in court.
You should schedule your visit, in advance, at a time that works best for you.
For best sound quality, use earbuds or headsets.

Quick & Easy Access to Important Information & Help:
Phone: 972-734-1111 or 877-578-3658
Video Tutorial on Registering for Securus Video Visits.
Frequently Asked Questions.
San Diego Central Jail Pricing.
Securus Contact Information.
iphone app
Android app

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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

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
DAYS TIMES
DAILY 7:30AM
8:15AM
9:00AM
9:45AM
DAILY 1:30PM
2:15PM
3:00PM
3:45PM
DAILY 7:30PM
8:15PM
9:00PM
9:45PM

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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

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 619-610-1647 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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

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 an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from San Diego Central Jail

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from San Diego County do the following:

1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.

2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your San Diego County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending 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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

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 AmazonBarnes & 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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

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

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 619-610-1647 for further assistance.

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Are there photos of the San Diego Central Jail? What does it look like?
Other Jails Nearby

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

San Diego Imperial Riverside Orange
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Search for an Inmate in San Diego County

This facility, known as "San Diego Central Jail" is also known as San Diego County Central Jail.