Santa Cruz County Main Jail

To search for an inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main 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 831-454-7800 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a list of criminal courts for Santa Cruz County and every other county in California.

Santa Cruz County Main Jail Inmate Search

The Santa Cruz County Main Jail maintains an average of 350 offenders in custody on any given day. The Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 11,720 offenders.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail? What is the Schedule?

Santa Cruz County Main Jail ON SITE INMATE VISITATION SCHEDULE

259 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-454-7800

• Inmates must be in custody for 72 court hours prior to having any visit.
• The inmate you wish to visit must submit a VISITOR REQUEST FORM, with all visitor's information. It can take up to 5 days to complete background checks for each visitor. Once the Visitor Request Form has been approved, visitors can call Jail Reception to schedule a visit.
• Call 831-454-7800 Monday through Thursday, 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M to schedule a visit for the upcoming weekend, in accordance with the visiting schedules listed below. There are no same day visits.
• Each visit may include up to two (2) adults or one (1) adult and up to two (2) minors.
• Visitors must arrive and register 30 minutes prior to their scheduled visit to avoid cancellation.
• Each inmate is allowed two visits per week.  Each visit lasts for one hour.

Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail?

Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail?

How to Deposit Money into an Inmate's Account in Santa Cruz County Main Jail

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

• Create an account with Touchpay Services, a GTL company.
• 
• Select California.
• Select Santa Cruz County Main Jail
• Enter the Inmate ID of your inmate.  This can be found by calling 831-454-7800 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail.  To do this you need the Inmate's ID Number and the Facility Locator Number for Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail?

How to Set up a Phone Account and Receive Calls from an Inmate in Santa Cruz County Main Jail

To communicate by telephone with a Santa Cruz County inmate, follow these instructions:

• To receive phone calls from a Santa Cruz County inmate you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
• 
• Once you open an account, you may search for Santa Cruz County inmates or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the Santa Cruz County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail, and what can I send them?

Santa Cruz County Main Jail Inmate Mail Types

Postcards
The Santa Cruz County Main 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.

Envelopes
The Santa Cruz County Main Jail also allows regular postcards and envelopes to be mailed to inmates as well.

Personal postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & ID or S Number
Smart Communications-Santa Cruz County Jail-CA
P.O. Box 9143
Seminole, FL 33775-9143

Legal Mail
Legal Mail is mail from Attorneys, law enforcement, the courts, bail companies, etc.

Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper 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 Santa Cruz County Main 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 above.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Santa Cruz County Main Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All legal mail, newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & ID or S Number
Santa Cruz County Jail
259 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Santa Cruz County Main Jail Inmate Mail Types

Postcards
The Santa Cruz County Main 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.

Envelopes
The Santa Cruz County Main Jail also allows regular postcards and envelopes to be mailed to inmates as well.

Personal postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & ID or S Number
Smart Communications-Santa Cruz County Jail-CA
P.O. Box 9143
Seminole, FL 33775-9143

Legal Mail
Legal Mail is mail from Attorneys, law enforcement, the courts, bail companies, etc.

Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper 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 Santa Cruz County Main 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 above.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Santa Cruz County Main Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All legal mail, newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & ID or S Number
Santa Cruz County Jail
259 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail, and what can I purchase?

Santa Cruz County Main Jail allows pre-determined commissary packs to be purchased by friends and family of inmates.  

The service they use is called icaregifts.

Instructions

1.    Register here.
2.    Click the "Find an Inmate" button and enter your loved one’s first name, last name, or inmate number. When the information is entered correctly, click the “Search” button to confirm they are in the system.
3.    Select the icare gift you want to send them.
4.    Confirm the order in your confirmation email.
5.    Santa Cruz County Main Jail has up to 30 days to give your icaregift pack to your inmate.
6.    You will receive a confirmation email when it is delivered.

There are a total of fourteen (14) pre-determined icaregift packs available to choose from. 

They range in price from $10.49 for ten pre-stamped envelopes, 2 pens and a pad of writing paper…

… to $104.99 for a box of 85 snack and food items…

… with many gift packs priced in between.

Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (you must have an inmate chosen in order to review these FAQs for Santa Cruz County Main Jail

Contact Info:
888-439-5020 - 8AM–9PM ET, 7 days a week.

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Santa Cruz County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Santa Cruz County Main Jail follow these steps:

• Register here to create an account with icaregifts for Santa Cruz County.
• 
• Choose California, then Santa Cruz County Main Jail, and then the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
• NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Santa Cruz County at any one time.
• There are a total of fourteen (14) pre-determined icaregift packs available to choose from. 
• The gift packs for inmates in Santa Cruz County range in price from $10.49 for ten pre-stamped envelopes, 2 pens and a pad of writing paper, to $104.99 for a box of 85 snack and food items.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Santa Cruz County Main Jail, as well as sending money to the inmate so that they can purchase their own items, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Santa Cruz County.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Santa Cruz County Main Jail uses a secure messaging service call Smart Communications so that inmates can communicate electronically with friends and family members on the outside.

SmartMail allows inmates to communicate safely and quickly with family and friends outside of the jail, prison or detention center. Inmates send and receive electronic letters using a safe and secure computer kiosk or tablet stationed in their institution. THE COST IS JUST $0.50 CENTS; cheaper than a postage stamp and envelope.

• The message can be sent with postage paid and will be free to open and read for the recipient.
• Or, the message can be sent collect / "COD" for free and will be paid for by the recipient.
• To send or receive a message you MUST open a SmartJailMail.com account.
• Once you open an account, you may search for inmates, prisoners, or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• They will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.
• Sending messages with SmartMail is just like sending an e-mail, except it is contained within the SmartJailMail web site. Messages can be delivered instantly or may be held for review depending on the destination facility.
• Electronic messages are delivered much more quickly than traditional paper mail to the correctional facility so you can stay connected.

More information on how to send and receive messages and photos with an inmate.

How to Send and Receive Secure Text and Email Messages with an Inmate in Santa Cruz County Main Jail

To communicate by text or email with an Santa Cruz County inmate, follow these instructions:

• To send or receive a message you MUST first open a SmartJailMail.com account.
• 
• Once you open an account, you may search for Santa Cruz County inmates or detainees to connect with.
• When you locate the Santa Cruz County inmate that you want to connect with, you can send them a connection request.
• Santa Cruz County Main Jail will then need to approve the request before you can send messages.

For all the information you need to send and receive secure messages in the form of text or email with a Santa Cruz County Main Jail inmate, including how it works, how much it costs, renting your inmate a tablet, how often you can communicate and more, check out our Text/Email an Inmate Page.
NOTE: Your messages will be monitored and stored. You may want to refrain from discussing your inmate's court case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the Santa Cruz County Main Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail at 831-454-7800 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 Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail at 831-454-7800 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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz County Main Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 831-454-7800 for further assistance.

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