Northern Branch Jail

Want to look up an inmate at the Northern Branch Jail? The Official Jail Inmate Roster shows their criminal charges, bond amount, visitation eligibility, and in many cases their mugshot. You can also call the jail at 805-554-3100 for the information you need. In addition, you can look up a list of criminal courts for Santa Barbara County and every other county in California.

Northern Branch Jail Inmate Search

Do you have a warrant for your arrest in Santa Barbara County or anywhere else in California? Need details about a court case involving you, a friend, or a relative? The California Superior Court is a good place to start.

In Santa Barbara County and every other court in California, most criminal defendants have a constitutional right to be released on bail before trial, with exceptions for certain capital and violent felony cases. The California Supreme Court has ruled that judges must consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, and can’t keep someone in jail simply because they can’t afford it unless no less restrictive option would protect public safety or ensure they return to court. Under Rule 4.101, judges also cannot consider whether the defendant has asked for a jury trial when setting bail.

The easiest way to find out an inmate’s bail at the Northern Branch Jail is to call the jail at 805-554-3100. If you know the charge the inmate was arrested for, you can also look up the Santa Barbara County bail schedule yourself. The county accepts cash, a surety bond, or a property bond.

The Northern Branch Jail is licensed to hold 376 inmates at a time, but it often has to make room for more, especially on weekends. At most city and county jails in California, at least 35-40% of the inmate population turns over each month, another 25-30% every 90 days, and another 15-20% every six months, while about 8-9% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Inmates held longer than a year are usually facing serious charges such as rape or murder. Because those cases take so long to prepare for trial, offenders arrested in this county on such charges remain in custody at one of the Santa Barbara County facilities much longer.

Each year, Santa Barbara County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 27,600 offenders.

Steps to pay bail in Santa Barbara County

After an arrest, individuals are brought to Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria for processing. Following this, three possible outcomes exist:

1. The individual may be released without posting bail, with a promise to appear in court.
2. The individual could be held in jail until their court date.
3. Bail or bond can be posted for release; for more information, contact 805-554-3100.

Bail payment can be handled through various means.

• Pay a cash bond in full at the bonding window inside the jail or at the clerk of court, by cash, cashier's check or money order; a lobby kiosk or online bond vendor often takes debit and credit cards for an extra fee, and you should bring the inmate's full name and booking number (the jail can be reached at 805-554-3100).
• Licensed bail bond agents in Santa Barbara County are available for assistance.
• Land or a home can often serve as bond collateral: the owner provides a deed and a recent tax or appraisal value showing clear title and equity of at least the bond amount, commonly double, and the court that set bail approves the pledge.

To learn more about the bail process in Santa Barbara County, California, visit the Northern Branch Jail Bail Page.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Northern Branch Jail? What is the Schedule?

Northern Branch Jail INMATE VISITATION SCHEDULE

2301 Black Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
805-554-3100

• Confirm your inmate's housing location.
• All Visits are 45 minutes.
• A maximum of 2 visitors (including children) may visit an inmate at any one time. Minors must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
• Adult visitors must have a valid state or federal government ID.
• All visitors must check in together up to one hour before the scheduled visit, BUT NO LATER THAN 15 MINUTES BEFORE.
• Visits are first come, first serve.
• Visitors must be placed on a visitation list which the inmate provides. 4 visitors can be on the list. the list can be updated the last 3 days of the month and the first 3 days the inmate is in custody.
• If you've recently been in jail (within the past 12 months), or if you've done prison time, call 805-554-3100 to get for special permission to visit.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Northern Branch Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

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

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Northern Branch Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Northern Branch Jail?

There are multiple ways to add money to an inmate's account at Northern Branch Jail, using Access Corrections Secure Deposits

1. Online - Making a deposit using a verified Visa or Mastercard online, or using their Apple or Android App.
2. By phone - Dial 866.345.1884 to reach their 24/7 Access Corrections domestic call centers.
3. Lobby kiosk - Ask the jail whether it has an Access Corrections kiosk for deposits.
4. By mail - Ask Access Corrections or the jail whether money orders can be mailed, and to what address.

Ask who the money order should be made out to, and include the inmate name and ID number on all money orders.

5. Walk-in Cash Deposits - Ask the Northern Branch Jail whether it accepts cash deposits in person, and where.

Secure Deposits - Frequently Asked Questions
Secure Deposits - Video Tutorial on How it Works
Secure Deposits - Help Pages

Customer Service Contacts:
Phone: 866-345-1884
Email: customerservice@accesscorrections.com
Online Chat - Look for 'bubble' on bottom right of the page linked here.

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Santa Barbara County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Northern Branch Jail follow these steps:

• Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
• 
• Select California, then select Northern Branch Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
• Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Northern Branch Jail.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Northern Branch Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Northern Branch Jail?

How Do Inmates in Northern Branch Jail Make or Receive Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in Santa Barbara County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

1.  Start by confirming that Northern Branch Jail has the phone service you need to communicate with your inmate by the facility lookup here.
2. In the meantime, you can create an account here for Viapath / GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account. This account can be controlled by just you, or by both you and your inmate.
4. Last, select Northern Branch Jail, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Services vary by jail. GettingOut shows what this facility offers.

Phone & Voicemail Fees
Call rates, deposit fees and voicemail prices depend on the jail's contract. Check them on GettingOut or by calling 866-516-0115 before you add money.

Note: Rates are subject to change.

Types of Phone Calls

Prepaid calls (Direct Calls)
With Prepaid Calls you add money to a GettingOut account so the inmate can call your number. Ask GettingOut which other account types are offered at this jail.

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Northern Branch Jail GettingOut phone services, you can call them at 866-516-0115.

* All the information you need to understand making and receiving phone calls with inmates in Santa Barbara County, can be found on our Inmate Phone Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Northern Branch Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Northern Branch Jail, and what can I send them?

Northern Branch Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
Ask the Northern Branch Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Northern Branch 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 & CID Number
Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail
2301 Black Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & CID Number
Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail
2301 Black Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455

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 Northern Branch 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 Northern Branch Jail standards will be disposed of. 
Ask the Northern Branch Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & CID Number
Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail
2301 Black Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455

Northern Branch Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Northern Branch 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 Northern Branch Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & CID Number
Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail
2301 Black Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455

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 Northern Branch Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Northern Branch Jail, and what can I purchase?

Northern Branch Jail contracts with Access Securepak for families to send pre-determined packages of commissary items to your inmate.

Access Securepak's catalog groups items into categories such as:
- Food and Snacks
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Electronics
- Apparel

Registration Process:
1. Register here.
2. Select California.
3. Select Northern Branch Jail.
4. Find your Inmate.
5. Deposit Funds.
6. Order Commissary Items.
Once you are logged in, you will receive instructions on how much (and what products) you can send your inmate.
Contact Information:
* If you have any questions, you can call Access Securepak at 800-546-6283.
* You can email My Care Pack at customerservice@securepak.net.
* You can write them at:
    Access Securepak
    10880 Linpage Place
    St. Louis, MO 63132

* You can Live Chat with a Representative online: (bottom left corner of page)
   Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m. CST, 
   and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CST.

*Note* Access Securepak will issue a refund for or replace broken, damaged, or missing products reported by Northern Branch Jail staff. They will not honor reports of discrepancies from inmate's families or friends. They have a very good mix of Chips, Snacks, Candy, Meat, Seafood, Hygiene products, Letter writing materials, Electronics and Apparel items for sale on their website.

*NOTE* -- Once you are fully registered and have selected the inmate you wish to send commissary to, you will receive instructions on how much you can deposit, how much (and what) you can purchase for your inmate, and how often you can send commissary.

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Santa Barbara County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Northern Branch Jail follow these steps:

• Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
• 
• Select California, then select Northern Branch Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
• Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Northern Branch Jail.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Northern Branch Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Northern Branch Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Northern Branch Jail allows Secure Messaging using a third-party service call Access Corrections.

They are the same company that facilitate Secure Deposits and Securepaks, so if you are already registered with them, then you are already approved to send Secure Messages to your inmate.

Register/Log in here.

After Registering/Logging In:

1.     You choose Northern Branch Jail.
2.    You Search for your inmate by typing in his last name. You can further narrow your search by adding his first name and/or Inmate ID.
3.    You add a credit or debit card.
4.    You buy a message plan (plans and prices vary), or buy credits. One credit costs $0.01.
5.    You select the option for your inmate to be able use the credits which you purchase, to message back to you... Or not.
6.    Northern Branch Jail charges a fee for each message sent or received.

Important Things to Know

 - Access Corrections has an iphone app and an android app for using their services.
 - ALL of your correspondence will be monitored by the jail. 
 - Do NOT write anything you wouldn’t want repeated in court.
 - Rates vary and are always subject to change.
 - Inmates can write you back ONLY if you select that option.
 - You CAN send photos up to 32MB in file size. Subject to change.
 - You CAN have unlimited credits on your account but are limited in the amount of each credit purchase.
 - You may NOT type or send emoticons.
 - You may NOT copy and paste text. Type directly.
 - You may NOT type profanities, violence or characters not approved. 
 - Due to messages having to be reviewed first, allow up to five days for a message to be delivered.
 - You may NOT transfer credits to another email.

Phone: 866-345-1884

Email:  customerservice@accesscorrections.com
FAQ
Contact Page
iphone app
Android app

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Santa Barbara County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Northern Branch Jail follow these steps:

• Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
• 
• Select California, then select Northern Branch Jail, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
• Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
• NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Northern Branch Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Santa Barbara County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Northern Branch Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the Northern Branch 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 Northern Branch Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 805-554-3100 for further assistance.

What are the other City and County Jails in Santa Barbara County?

Santa Barbara County County Jails

Santa Barbara County Juvenile Facilities

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Santa Barbara County?