San Diego County CA Jail Details & Overview

Has a loved one or friend been detained in the San Diego County Jail, and do you need answers? Perhaps you need to learn how to schedule a visitation or send mail to an inmate. 

Finding information online is not always easy. We have conducted extensive research and gathered all the facts in one place so you can easily find answers to your common questions. 

About San Diego County Jail

The San Diego County Jail is located in the heart of downtown San Diego. The San Diego Central Jail was opened in May 1998 and has an inmate capacity of 944, with a daily average of around 900. 

The San Diego County Jail is staffed by around 200 sworn employees and 200 professionals. The jail has 17 levels, including the basement and mezzanines. 

Contact Information for the San Diego County Jail

The phone number for the San Diego County Jail is (619) 610-1647. The physical address for the jail is:

1173 Front Street

San Diego, CA 92101

How to Search for an Inmate in the San Diego County Jail

If you need to conduct a San Diego County Jail inmate search online, the County Sherriff’s Department operates an inmate search website that is available 24 hours a day. Here, you can search by the inmate’s full name and learn their status. You can also view jail mugshots in San Diego county.

How to Send Mail to an Inmate

The San Diego County Jail has no limits on the amount of mail an inmate can receive at any time. When sending an inmate mail, you must address the envelope or package in the following way. 

Please include the sender’s full name and return address. Failure to include this information could lead to refusal of the mail. 

Inmate’s Full Name, Booking Number, and Facility

Mail Processing Center

415 Riverview Parkway, Building C

Santee, CA 92071

Please note that all inmate mail is sent to a central mail processing center, regardless of the inmate’s holding facility. If you are unsure of the inmate’s booking number, you can find that information via the inmate search website above. 

All incoming mail is opened and checked for contraband. Attorney mail is privileged and will not be read but will be checked for any contraband.

You CAN mail the following:

• Letters that contain money orders, checks, etc.
• Legal correspondence (must be sent from the attorney directly)
• Books, magazines, and other publications sent directly from the bookstore

You CANNOT mail the following

• Perishables, food, or cosmetics
• Cardboard or homemade greeting cards
• Mail with unknown substances, including lipstick, perfume, or stains
• Mail with foil, metal, staples, paperclips, glass, wood, jewelry, hard plastic, leaves, flowers, rubber, colored paper, tracing paper, glitter, confetti, tobacco products, crayon, paint, marker, chalk, foam cut-outs
• Thumb drives, audio CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes
• Hardbound books or spiral-bound notebooks
• Polaroid photos
• Books, photos, or writings that contain nudity, sexual content, gang material, racism, unlawful activity, or materials that conflict with the safety and security of the San Diego County Jail

Inmate Telephone System

Inmates have access to free phone calls of an unlimited nature. Local, long-distance, and international calls are free to inmates but are limited to 15 minutes to give everyone access to the phones. 

Inmates may make an unlimited number of calls but may not use the phones during meal times or at night count. 

How to Visit an Inmate at the San Diego County Jail

You have a couple of options for visiting an inmate. It is essential you learn about the rules and steps involved so you can schedule the visitation appointment correctly. 

In-Person

You may schedule an in-person visit with an inmate. You must call 619-610-1647 between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Please remember that in-person visits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The following rules are in place for in-person visitations.

• Visits may be canceled at any time and for any reason. Inmates may refuse a visit. 
• Visitors must arrive 30 minutes prior to their visit. 
• You cannot schedule a same-day visit. 
• Visitations will be canceled for inmates who are COVID-19 positive or suspected of having COVID-19.
• You must schedule at least 24 hours in advance.
• If you are on probation or parole, you will need to pre-register here. 
• All visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian. 
• All visitors over the age of 18 must present a valid government photo ID.

How to Email an Inmate in the San Diego County Jail

If you would like to email an inmate in the San Diego County Jail, you need to be aware of the following general rules. 

• All incoming and outgoing email is screened. 
• Please limit your emails to two a day
• Emails may only be one page and cannot contain images and attachments
• Do NOT use the inmate email system to solicit business or send advertisements
• The email will be undeliverable if the inmate is no longer in custody

Follow these instructions for sending emails to inmates:

1. Obtain the full name and booking number of the inmate.
2. You must verify your email address to prevent spam.
3. Your email message is limited to 2,500 characters. 
4. Do not send formatted text.
5. You will receive an email notification that your email was received. 

Vocational Programs in the San Diego County Jail

The goal of the San Diego County Jail is to help prepare inmates for re-entry into society. Inmates have access to the following vocational programs. 

• Culinary Arts
• Commercial Laundry
• Bicycle Shop
• Industrial Sewing
• Construction Trades
• CIVICS Landscape
• Landscape Maintenance
• Bakery
• Healthcare Service Assistant

Educational Programs in the San Diego County Jail

The jail offers extensive educational programs to help inmates pursue their education. Consider the following. 

• GED
• High School Equivalency
• Computer Literacy
• College-Level Courses
• Science Workshop

Wellness Programs in the San Diego County Jail

• Yoga
• Trauma Art
• Theater Arts

Psycho-Social Programs in the San Diego County Jail

• Thinking for a Change
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Self-Cognitive Change
• Gender Response and Trauma
• Beyond Anger and Violence

These programs are assigned to inmates based on individual needs.

Veterans Moving Forward

The Veterans Moving Forward program assists veterans in preparing for re-entry into society successfully. This program provides services and community resources for veterans. 

Job Center in San Diego County Jail

This center focuses on helping inmates re-enter society and the workforce. In this center, inmates will learn computer, interview, resume writing, and job search skills.