Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.
SIERRA COUNTY INMATES ARE HOUSED IN SURROUNDING AREA JAILS, specifically the Nevada County Wayne Brown Jail. To locate a person who was arrested in Sierra County, call the Sierra County Sheriff's Office at: 530-289-3700.
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 530-289-3700, 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 Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility at 530-289-3700 to get it.
Phone: 530-289-3700
Physical Address:
100 Courthouse Square
Downieville, CA 95936
Other Jails and Prisons
Searching for an inmate in the Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility? Go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster to see their criminal charges, bond amount, visiting eligibility, and mugshot, or call the jail directly at 530-289-3700. You can also search for criminal courts in Sierra County and all other counties in California.
Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility Inmate Search
If you need to know about a warrant in Sierra County or anywhere in California, or about a court case involving you, a friend, or a relative, start your search with the California Superior Court.
Every court in California, including those in Sierra County, recognizes that most criminal defendants have a constitutional right to pretrial release on bail, with exceptions for certain capital and violent felony charges. The California Supreme Court has said judges must consider what a defendant can afford and cannot detain someone solely for being unable to pay unless no less restrictive option would protect public safety or ensure their appearance. Judges are also barred by Rule 4.101 from considering whether the defendant has requested a jury trial.
If you need to know an inmate’s bail, call the Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility at 530-289-3700. Or, if you know the charge, check the bail schedule for Sierra County. Bail can be posted in cash, with a surety bond, or with a property bond.
At any given time, the Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility is licensed to hold inmates, but it is often forced to take in more, especially on weekends. At most city and county jails in California, at least 35-40% of inmates turn over every month, another 25-30% every 90 days, and another 15-20% every six months, and about 8-9% stay six to twelve months. Inmates held more than twelve months are typically facing serious charges such as rape or murder. Because those cases take longer to get ready for trial, offenders arrested in this county remain at one of the Sierra County facilities much longer.
Sierra County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 0 offenders every year.
Sierra County no longer runs a full jail. Since March 17, 2015, the Sierra County Jail has operated as a Temporary Housing Facility, run by the Custody Division of the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office. People are held there only for a short time after arrest; anyone who stays in custody longer is moved out of the county. Sierra County contracts with Nevada County for jail services, so most people are housed at Nevada County’s Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City, and some are placed at the Plumas County jail in Quincy. The Sheriff’s Office is at 100 Courthouse Square (first floor) in Downieville, on Highway 49 along the North Yuba River, with a second office at 61050 Highway 49 in Loyalton. The main line, (530) 289-3700, is the first call to make. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
There are no visits of any kind at the Temporary Housing Facility, and it does not accept mail, packages, gifts, food, drink or any other items. Staff can’t pass along personal messages, and incoming calls aren’t allowed. When someone is booked, they get three phone calls: one to an attorney, one to a bail bond company and one to another person. If you get that call, write down what you’re told about the charges and where the person is likely to be taken next. Arrests near Truckee may also be booked at Nevada County’s Truckee Jail, which holds Sierra County arrestees until they are moved or released.
To find out where someone is being held, call the Sheriff’s Office. Because most people go to Nevada County, the Sierra County Sheriff links to Nevada County’s in-custody search. You can also sign up with VINE for custody-status alerts. Wherever the person is held, they must be brought before a judge within 48 hours of arrest, not counting Sundays and holidays (Penal Code §825). Sierra County cases are heard at the Sierra County Superior Court, which shares the Downieville courthouse at 100 Courthouse Square, so people held out of county are brought back for court.
Most people in California have a constitutional right to bail. The exceptions are capital crimes, certain violent or sexual-assault felonies, and felony threats where clear and convincing evidence shows a substantial likelihood of great bodily harm, and public safety comes first. The Sierra County Superior Court adopts a bail schedule (Penal Code §1269b), and a judge can raise or lower bail or release someone on their own recognizance or under supervision. In re Humphrey (2021) requires judges to consider ability to pay. Bail can be posted in cash, as a property bond, or through a licensed bail agent. If the person is already at Wayne Brown, the facility accepts cash bail and bail bonds 24 hours a day. For questions about a Sierra County case, call the court at (530) 289-3698 with the case number before bringing a payment to Downieville.
Once your loved one is moved, that facility’s rules apply. At Wayne Brown (925 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City; (530) 265-1291), personal mail goes through Pigeonly’s scanning service: the person’s name, facility number 2100, PO Box 96777, Las Vegas, NV 89193. Money goes on accounts through TouchPay, and video visits are set up by the person in custody through GettingOut. Visitors must be 18 or older with current government ID, or come with a parent or guardian. Designated family or friends can pick up released property on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with photo ID; items left more than 90 days are destroyed. For someone housed in Quincy, call the Plumas County jail at (530) 283-6267 for its visiting, mail and property rules. If you’re traveling a long way, ask the holding facility whether a longer visit can be arranged.
If you think there’s a warrant out for you in Sierra County, call the Sheriff’s Office or talk to a defense attorney before turning yourself in. Reaching Downieville means a winding drive on Highway 49, roughly an hour or more from Nevada City, or from Interstate 80 by way of Sierraville. Winter storms can slow the trip.
Downieville has only a few services. Downieville Motors, 114 Main Street, sells fuel; the next stations are well down Highway 49, so fill up before heading into the canyon. Two Rivers Cafe, 116 Main Street, and JADAAs Kitchen, 105 Commercial Street, serve casual meals. For an overnight stay in town, try Downieville River Inn & Resort, 121 River Street; Riverside Mountain Lodge, 206 Commercial Street; or Carriage House Inn, 110 Commercial Street. If you’re visiting at Wayne Brown instead, Northern Queen Inn, 400 Railroad Avenue in Nevada City, is a short drive from the facility.
After an arrest, individuals are taken to Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility where they go through booking. This process includes identifying the person, reviewing charges, and determining whether they will be released on their own, eligible for bail, or detained until their court date.
It’s crucial to remain silent after being arrested. Anything said may be used in court, so it’s better to refrain from speaking until consulting with an attorney.
The following steps outline the booking procedure at Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility:
Booking can take from a short hour to longer periods, especially on busy nights or with uncooperative individuals. For inquiries about posting bond for an arrestee, call the facility at 530-289-3700.
Once someone is booked at Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility in Downieville after an arrest, there are several outcomes:
1. They may be released without paying bail, agreeing to show up on a scheduled date.
2. They may remain in custody until their court appearance.
3. They can pay a bail or bond for release. Call 530-289-3700 for bail details.
Bail payments can take several forms.
For detailed information about the bail process in Sierra County, California, see the Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility Bail FAQ.
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What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Sierra County?
This facility, known as "Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility" is also known as Sierra County Jail, WAYNE BROWN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN NEVADA CITY (INFO HERE IS FOR SUCH INMATES), OR OCCASIONALLY AT: , PLUMAS COUNTY JAIL IN QUINCY 530-283-6375 FOR INFORMATION, Sierra County Jail , Sierra County Jail , California, Sierra.
The Sierra County Jail Temporary Housing Facility serves the following cities and towns of Sierra County: Loyalton.
