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 GettingOut for their Remote Video Visitation and/or Visit Scheduling. 

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate:
1.  Using the GettingOut/GTL Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut or GTL apps.

How it Works with GettingOut
1.  Register an account.
2. Select Santa Cruz County Main Jail
3. Choose either an INMATE ACCOUNT or FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT.   

• **NOTE** Friends and Family must have funds in their "Friends & Family Account" to respond to inmate messages. 
• If you deposit money online in the INMATE ACCOUNT, than they have the freedom to spend the money on visits or phone calls to anyone, or any other communications services available at Santa Cruz County Main Jail.
• With the FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT, you control all communication services such as phone calls, video visits and messaging. Your inmate can only call the phone number you want.

4. You will then receive prompts to validate both your identity and phone number .
5. Again, choose your inmate's facility, then type their name and select your inmate.

GettingOut will then guide you through the steps needed to arrange your remote visit.

Customer Service for GettingOut
If you have any questions, you can call them at 866-516-0115.
GettingOut online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
The GettingOut App is available on Google Play and Apple Store.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in Santa Cruz County Main Jail?

To visit an inmate in Santa Cruz County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:

Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, Santa Cruz County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut. 

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in Santa Cruz County Main Jail:
1.  Using the GettingOut Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut apps.

To remotely visit an inmate in Santa Cruz County follow these steps:
1.  Start by confirming that Santa Cruz County Main Jail's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up Santa Cruz County here.
2.  The next step is to create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select Santa Cruz County Main Jail, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Other Santa Cruz County Services provided by GettingOut:
 - Phone Calls & Voicemail 
 - Email, Photo & Video Sharing
-  Inmate Tablet Rental
-  Deposits

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Santa Cruz County Main Jail Visitation Services you can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked Questions

* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers and clergy visitation in Santa Cruz County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.

Santa Cruz County Main Jail Phone: 831-454-7800

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 GettingOut for their Remote Video Visitation and/or Visit Scheduling. 



There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate:
1.  Using the GettingOut/GTL Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut or GTL apps.

How it Works with GettingOut
1.  Register an account.
2. Select Santa Cruz County Main Jail
3. Choose either an INMATE ACCOUNT or FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT.   

• **NOTE** Friends and Family must have funds in their "Friends & Family Account" to respond to inmate messages. 
• If you deposit money online in the INMATE ACCOUNT, than they have the freedom to spend the money on visits or phone calls to anyone, or any other communications services available at Santa Cruz County Main Jail.
• With the FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT, you control all communication services such as phone calls, video visits and messaging. Your inmate can only call the phone number you want.

4. You will then receive prompts to validate both your identity and phone number .
5. Again, choose your inmate's facility, then type their name and select your inmate.

GettingOut will then guide you through the steps needed to arrange your remote visit.

Customer Service for GettingOut
If you have any questions, you can call them at 866-516-0115.
GettingOut online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
The GettingOut App is available on Google Play and Apple Store.

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 Do Inmates in Santa Cruz County Main Jail Make Phone Calls?

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

• Santa Cruz County Main Jail uses the services of IC Solutions.
• 
• Register with them online or call them at 888-506-8407. 
• Agents are available 24 hours a day, and speak both English & Spanish.
• Services for Santa Cruz County inmates and their families and friends include Collect Calling, PIN Debits, Purchasing Calling Cards, Voicemail & Prepaid calls.  In addition, IC Solutions provides secure messaging, sending photos, video phone calls and online deposits for inmates and their families in Santa Cruz County.
• Although rates are subject to change, they generally run about $0.21 per minute for phone calls.

Note: All your calls with an inmate are recorded, stored and shared with law enforcement if the conversation deals with your case or any criminal activity. Anything communicated can be used against you or your inmate in court.

For all the information regarding phone calls with Santa Cruz County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone 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 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?

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 allows inmates to receive photos, letters and greeting cards in envelopes through the mail. Click here to get the inmate’s ID # .

Address to:
Inmate Name, Inmate S#

Santa Cruz County Main Jail

259 Water Street

Santa Cruz, California  95060

Newspapers

Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines

You can mail news, special interest or sports magazines 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

This jail allows softcover books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address above.

TextBehind enables you to communicate with your incarcerated loved ones located inside the United States from anywhere in the world using text letters, kids' drawings, and custom greeting cards. Unlimited inmate reply letters are processed for electronic delivery to your smartphone and email at no extra charge.
The cost to send an electronic letter is approximately $1.00.

Here’s how it works for Santa Cruz County Main Jail:
1.    All offender mail (paper and electronic) is addressed and delivered to TextBehind. Electronic mail is sent through the apps (iphone, Google Play). Paper mail is sent to the address below:
Inmate Name and Inmate Number
Santa Cruz County Main Jail California (note: please do not abbreviate the name)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
2.    If it was sent via TextBehind's app (iphone, Google Play), TextBehind can process it within one business day.
3.    An additional step is involved in processing mail that is sent using the U.S. Postal Service. TextBehind will  use a scanner to make digital files of the contents of the mailing—including cards, photos or artwork.
4.    All digital files are then forwarded to the offender’s assigned prison.
5.    Santa Cruz County Main Jail mailroom prints approved pages and delivers them to the inmate.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• TextBehind does not deliver any mail to the inmate directly, nor do they guarantee delivery of your letters to the inmates by the courier, jail or prison staff. Once they process your mail and ship them out on your behalf, they are out of the loop entirely. However, at times they may offer to resend your letters under certain strict conditions as a courtesy. 
• Inmates do not receive any invites when you add them, and neither do they need to accept the use of TextBehind service. Once you add the inmate, you can create letters for them. 

Here’s what happens when TextBehind receives a letter from an inmate:

• Upon receiving, TextBehind staff open their letters, scan, and upload high-quality images to your TextBehind account as a complimentary service. You are not required to have any money or credits balance in your TextBehind account to receive inmate letters.
• Next, you will receive a text and email alert to notify you of any new incoming reply letters. At that time, you can log into the TextBehind website or mobile app and view letters in your CONTACTS >> Click on Conversation Icon. 

YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS...

• Inmates do require a stamp to send out their letters to TextBehind using Postal Service.
• The cash or credit balance from your TextBehind account will not be shared with inmates as a substitute for the stamps. 
• All letters printed and shipped by TextBehind nationwide to virtually any jail or prison facility are delivered to the jails/prisons by couriers such as the USPS or FedEx as their standard process.
• After the shipments, TextBehind has no control over the process.
• The delivery of your letters depends on couriers and prison staff taking necessary action on time.

IMPORTANT TextBehind LINKS:
Register / Log in with TextBehind
Contact TextBehind with Questions
Add an Inmate to your list of Contacts

** Address to Mail letters using TextBehind **
Inmate Name and Inmate Number
Santa Cruz County Main Jail California (note: please do not abbreviate the name)
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Why is TextBehind used by Lockups?
Due to the problem of letters and postcards containing, or soaked in contraband (drugs), TextBehind electronic and physical letters is replacing the former policy of allowing mail to be sent directly from inmate’s friends and family members, and vice versa.

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?

Emailing and Texting Messages, Photos & Videograms

Santa Cruz County Main Jail contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles Inmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.


If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Santa Cruz County Main Jail,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

How Messaging Works
Watch this video on how to send a message.
1.  Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
2. After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.

How Uploading Photos Works
Watch this video on how to upload a photo.
1.  Select the Photos Tab.
2. Select “Take New Photo” or “Upload New Photo”.
3. Take a new photo with your webcam, or select "Choose File" to upload a photo from your computer.
4. Give your photo a Title or add it to the "Gallery" of your choice.
5. Select the "Share" button.
6. Select your inmate(s) and then select "Share".
7. Once the photo is approved, it will be shared with your inmate(s).

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

How to Communicate with an Santa Cruz County Main Jail Inmate by Mail and by Email

To mail or email an inmate in Santa Cruz County follow these steps:

When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:

• All mail sent to an inmate at the Santa Cruz County Main Jail must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
• All mail must include the facility's address, as well as the inmate's name and assigned number.
• Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
• The Santa Cruz County Main Jail has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations. 
• All the information you need to understand mail and email policies can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

Emailing Messages & Photos

Facility_name_1} contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
 
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Santa Cruz County Main Jail,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

• Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
• After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
• You can also send your Santa Cruz County inmate photos and videos.

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.

All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for Santa Cruz County can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate 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 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 allows inmates access to tablets to use for the services provided by 'gettingout'.

The devices are similar to common handheld tablets, but are made exclusively by GettingOut, a GTL / Viapath company.
Tablets offer specialized content and services for inmates to use during their stay at Santa Cruz County Main Jail, such as:

• Music
• Books
• Games
• Education
• News
• Radio
• Television
• Read mail and messages
• Video visits

-  Free services are already available for use on the device at Santa Cruz County Main Jail.
-  Subscription services are funded separately by family and friends with deposits made into an inmate’s Debit Link account.
-  Santa Cruz County Main Jail Inmates will then be able to purchase subscription services and premium content to enjoy.

What Does a Tablet Cost?

To estimate costs for tablets and other services such as phone calls, sign in to your account and click “Rate & Fees Calculator” in the footer (bottom of the page), but the following gives you a general idea.

Game Center:

30-Day Subscription: $4.99, with an additional $1.00 service infrastructure charge ($5.99)

Fourteen-Day Subscription: $2.99, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($3.74)

Seven-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($2.49)

Unlimited eBooks:

Thirty-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $1.00 service infrastructure charge ($2.99)

Fourteen-Day Subscription: $0.99, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($1.74)

Seven-Day Subscription: $0.49, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($0.99)

Streaming Music:

Thirty-Day Subscription: $8.99, with an additional $16.00 service infrastructure charge ($24.99)

Fourteen-Day Subscription: $5.99, with an additional $9.00 service infrastructure charge ($14.99)

Seven-Day Subscription: $2.99, with an additional $5.00 service infrastructure charge ($7.99)

Newsfeed

Thirty-Day Subscription: $3.99, with an additional $6.00 service infrastructure charge ($9.99)

Fourteen-Day Subscription: $1.99, with an additional $5.00 service infrastructure charge ($6.99)

Seven-Day Subscription: $0.99, with an additional $3.00 service infrastructure charge ($3.99)

Same Day Subscription Services

Game Center: $0.99, with an additional $0.50 service infrastructure charge ($1.49)

Unlimited eBooks: $0.25, (Total = 0.25)

Newsfeed: $0.24, with an additional $0.75 service infrastructure charge ($0.99)

FM Radio: $0.24, with an additional $0.25 service infrastructure charge ($0.49)

All Subscription and message credit pricing is subject to state and local taxes. 

Replacement Components - should your inmate break it...

Tablet: $249.99 per each

Charger: $8.99 per each

Earbuds: $2.99 per each

How Inmates Can Use a Tablet to Access Services at Santa Cruz County Main Jail

To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:

1.  First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL

2.  Purchase the services you want for your Santa Cruz County Main Jail inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.

To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental 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?