Fresno County CA Jail Details & Overview
Having a loved one arrested often creates great stress. You may have questions, especially if you have never dealt with the Fresno County Jail before. Learning about the jail and the rules and regulations will answer many of your questions.
About the Fresno County Jail
There are three jails within Fresno County, and the Sheriff’s department is responsible for running all three. The main jail was built in 1989, the South Annex was constructed in 1947, and the North Annex was built in 1993.
The total capacity for all three components is 2,427. The staff total for correctional officers, correctional sergeants, and correctional lieutenants is 350.
Since 1993, the Fresno County Jail has been under a Federal Consent Decree, which means the jail is limited on the number of inmates it can house at any given time.
The jail has implemented many programs to change undesirable behaviors and produce safe, self-sufficient individuals ready to become productive members of society upon being released from incarceration.
Contact Information for Fresno County Jail
The phone number for the Fresno County Jail is (559) 600-8600, and the address for the three jails are as follows.
The Main Jail
1225 M Street
Fresno, CA 93721
North Annex Jail
1265 M Street
Fresno, CA 93721
South Annex Jail
2280 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
How to Look Up Inmates in the Fresno County Jail
If you need to see if someone is in custody, you have several options. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office operates an online database that allows concerned citizens to search for information on inmates or perform a Fresno County jail inmate search online. You can also view jail mugshots in Fresno County and call for information on inmates at (559) 475-9491.
Inmate Programs at the Fresno County Jail
The Fresno County Jail offers a wealth of programs for inmates to help foster good citizenship upon release. It is important to note that the programs listed below may not be available to all inmates, depending upon their classification.
Academics
The Delma Graves Adult School offers the educational opportunities below.
- Adult Basic Education
- General Education Diploma
- English as a Second Language
Life Skills Courses
- Work Attitude and Behavior
- Cognitive Thinking
- Parenting
- Relationship Building
- Money Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Seeking Employment
Other Programs and Services
- Marriage
- Child Support Information and Referral
- Chaplaincy Services
- Religious Programs
- Recreational Reading Library Services
- Legal Research Access
- Health and Wellness Recreation Services
- Drug and Alcohol Education
- AA Meetings and Resources
- Community Resource Information and Referral
How to Write an Inmate at the Fresno County Jail
Inmates are allowed to send and receive mail, provided they follow the rules and have no disciplinary actions against them. All incoming mail must have the inmate’s full legal name, booking number, and jail identification number.
All mail is picked up from the post office, opened, and sorted as quickly as possible. There are sometimes delays in delivering mail to inmates, especially on weekends and holidays.
The address to write inmates is:
Inmate’s Full Name (as it appears on their wristband)/Booking Number/JID
P.O. Box 872
Fresno, CA 93712
You CANNOT mail the following:
- Padded envelopes and boxes
- Money, checks, or any type of currency
- Postage stamps, paper, envelopes, or stationary
- Plastic sheets or laminated items
- Tissues, blotters, or construction paper
- Sound devices
- Food items
- Sexually explicit materials
- Materials with unknown foreign substances applied, including glue, lipstick, and perfume
- Loose pages from books and magazines
- Personal photographs that contain full or partial nudity
- Gang-related materials
- Materials instructing on or encouraging escape
- Contraband
- Coded messages
- Information that presents a clear and present danger to staff or other inmates
- Instructions on weapon creation
- Instructions on alcohol and drug creation
- Any material that advocates criminal activity
You CAN mail the following:
- Letters and postcards
- Greeting cards that are not excessively large and do not have glitter, confetti, plastic, metal, or music
- Newspaper clippings in reasonable amounts
- Small photographs no larger than 4” X 6”
- Magazines, books, and newspapers when mailed directly from a bookstore (no hardbound books are allowed)
Inmate Telephone Privileges in Fresno County Jail
Inmates have access to phone privileges according to their classification and behavior. Loved ones must set up an account through GTL to receive phone calls from inmates. You can set up an account online or call 1-800-483-8314.
Visitation at the Fresno County Jail
Inmates have the privilege of meeting with visitors according to a specific schedule. If a visitor comes in while the inmate is involved in an activity outside of their cell, the visitor will be informed that the inmate is not available and that they can wait.
Inmates have the right to refuse visitation anytime and for any reason. All visitations may be monitored or recorded.
Acceptable Forms of Visitor IDs
- Valid state-issued driver’s license or ID card with photo
- Military ID with photo
- Valid passport with photo
- Foreign consulate photo ID card
- Permanent resident card with photo
You may not present a check cashing card, foreign license, or temporary license. Every visitor over the age of 17 must submit a proper photo ID.
Visitation Rules
When visiting inmates in the Fresno County Jail, specific rules are in place. Failure to follow these rules will cause your visitation to be canceled and could even result in criminal charges, depending on the infraction.
Do NOT bring these items:
- Handbags, backpacks, or other bags
- Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices
- Food and beverages
- Tobacco products
- Lighters or matches
- Weapons of any kind, including knives
- Strollers or car seat carriers
You can bring the following to a visitation:
- Your personal photo ID
- Keys
- Sunglasses
- One blanket, diaper, wipes, bottle, and pacifier, if bringing an infant
- One non-motorized toy
All visitors must pass through a metal detector. If the metal detector sounds an alarm, the visitor may be subjected to a search. You may be asked to remove your shoes, jackets, belts, or jewelry.
All visitors must follow the rules and refrain from talking loudly or disruptively. The following are prohibited during inmate visits:
- NO sitting on the visiting tables
- NO undressing or exposing body parts
- NO taking photographs
- NO visiting with other inmates
At the conclusion of the visit, you must hang up the phone and exit the visitation area when instructed. The following are some of the reasons a visitation may be denied.
- Failure to follow the rules by the inmate or visitor
- Inmate’s refusal of the visitation
- Improper attire
- Refusal to submit to a search
- Visitor is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Visitor causes destruction or damage
- Failure to maintain control of minors
- Visitor fails to produce proper photo ID
- Visitor disrupts other visitors
- Visitor brings in contraband
Dress Code for Inmate Visitations
There is a strictly-enforced dress code for all visitors to the Fresno County Jail. Failure to follow the dress code rules could result in denial of visitation.
- Do not wear pajamas or bedroom shoes
- Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times
- Skirts, dresses, and shorts must not rise two inches above the knee for all ages
- Buttons, snaps, and zippers must remain closed
- No swimwear
- No clothing that exposes the breasts, genitals, or buttocks
- No crop tops, belly shirts, tube tops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, racers, or backless tops
- No spandex, lycra, or tight pants
- No clothing with artwork or wording that promotes violence, lewdness, or illegal activity
Fresno County Jail staff have the right to refuse visitation to anyone dressed inappropriately. If you wear inappropriate attire, you may be asked to change or denied visitation, depending on your specific clothing.
Additional Resources
Fresno County Sheriff's Website