San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention

Search for an Inmate in San Diego County

San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention Information

Located in Otay Mesa section of San Diego, the EMJDF houses up to 290 juvenile offenders in 9 housing units that have 30 beds or 20 beds. Most of the youth at this location are here temporarily while they await placement, transfer, or disposition. Upon arrival screening is completed to ensure that the tailor made program addresses any past trauma, addictions concerns, health issues, offers necessary mental health support, and interventions for other necessary reasons. The Youth Development Academy is also located within this facility and offers youth treatment in a secure facility. A medical clinic, visiting center, classrooms, a full track and recreational quads, as well as a college testing center. While there is a focus on education, the youth is addressed as a whole, and each of their concerns and needs are cared for during their stay. Balanced meals, clean clothing, bedding, recreational time, and phones are all provided for, as well as all medical and dental care. Mail: EMJDF Youth's Full Name PO Box 23598 San Diego, CA 92193-3598 Phones: Phones are available for residents to call their family, but they are permitted to call only numbers that have been approved in advance. Visitation: Visits must be scheduled in advance and will take place between 2:30pm and 8pm Mon to Fri, and 8:30am-11am, 12pm-5:30pm on Sunday for up to one hour each visit. Virtual visits are available.

Phone: 619-671-4400

Physical Address:
446 Alta Road, Suite 6100
San Diego, CA 92158

Mailing Address (personal mail):
EMJDF
Youth's Full Name
PO Box 23598
San Diego, CA 92193-3598

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

To search for an inmate in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention, 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 619-671-4400 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention maintains an average of 290 offenders in custody on any given day. The San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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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Recent Bookings & Arrests

Frequently Asked Questions about San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention Recent Bookings & Arrests


How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

What happens during booking in San Diego County?

What is the booking process like at the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

How long does the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention booking process take?

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


 

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention, call the jail’s booking line at 619-671-4400.

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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

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 with 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.

If the offender remains in jail for any length of time, the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention will allow a friend or family member to pick up the inmate's property if the offender gives written authorization for a named person to do so.

To find out the days and times for picking up an inmate's property, and what you will need to bring to verify your identity, call the jail at 619-671-4400 during business hours.


 

 

How long does the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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.


 

 

What happens after an offender is booked into the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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.

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Directions / Map to the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention
Inmate Bail and Bonding

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. 

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention? What is the Schedule?

San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention Visitation

  • Monday - Friday:  2:30pm - 8:00pm by appointment only.
  • The last visit scheduled will begin at 7:00pm and end at 8:00pm.
  • Saturday:  No visiting
  • Sunday:  8:30am - 11:00am and 12:00pm - 5:30pm.
  • The last scheduled visit will begin at 4:30pm and end at 5:30pm.
  • Visits will be up to 60 minutes in length.
  • There will be a maximum of two visitors per youth at a time.
  • You must check in at the Administration Entrance prior to your visit.
  • All visits should be scheduled by appointment and may be scheduled up to a week in advance.
  • For appointments and additional information, please call (619) 671-4400, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm.

San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

How to Deposit Money into an Inmate's Account in San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention

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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention
  • Enter the Inmate ID of your inmate.  This can be found by calling 619-671-4400 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention.  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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention?

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention

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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention, and what can I send them?

San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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:
EMJDF
Youth's Full Name
PO Box 23598
San Diego, CA 92193-3598



Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
446 Alta Road, Suite 6100
San Diego, CA 92158



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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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:
446 Alta Road, Suite 6100
San Diego, CA 92158

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention, and what can I purchase?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 619-671-4400 for further assistance.

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Are there photos of the San Diego East Mesa Juvenile Detention? 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 East Mesa Juvenile Detention" is also known as San Diego Co.-East Mesa Juvenile.