San Diego County Jail
Looking for someone who was arrested in San Diego County? The San Diego County Sheriff's Office operates multiple detention facilities throughout the county, including San Diego Central Jail, Las Colinas, George Bailey, Vista and South Bay. Use this guide to search for an inmate, check bail and booking information, identify the correct jail, arrange visitation, send money or mail, find court information and understand what happens after an arrest.
San Diego Central Jail, San Diego, California
Someone Was Arrested in San Diego County. What Should You Do?
Start by using the San Diego County Sheriff's official Who's In Jail search to determine whether the person has been booked into Sheriff's custody.
San Diego County operates several detention facilities, so finding the person in the inmate database is especially important before traveling to a jail.
The inmate record may provide booking information, the current housing facility, charges, bail information and other custody information.
Find the inmate
Search the Sheriff's official Who's In Jail database.
Check the booking
Review available arrest, booking and charge information.
Check bail
Determine whether bail is available and the listed amount.
Find the correct jail
San Diego County operates multiple detention facilities.
Plan your next step
Find visitation, calls, money, mail, court and release information below.
San Diego County Jail Inmate Search
Use the San Diego County Sheriff's official Who's In Jail database to locate someone currently being held in Sheriff's custody.
The search can provide important information about a person in custody, including the booking number, current housing facility, arrest agency, booking date, bail information, release information and charges.
The Sheriff's search requires at least two characters of the person's last name. A first name can also be entered to narrow the results.
SEARCH SAN DIEGO COUNTY INMATES →Opens the official San Diego County Sheriff's Who's In Jail search.
Why Isn't a Recent San Diego Arrest Showing Up?
A person may not appear immediately after an arrest. Transportation, intake, medical screening, identification and booking must occur before a complete jail record is available.
Booking May Still Be Underway
Allow time for the person to be transported and processed into county custody.
Check the Arresting Agency
The Sheriff's Who's In Jail page specifically notes that arrests made by Chula Vista Police may also be available through Chula Vista PD.
Released or Transferred
The person may have been released, cited, transferred or held by another agency.
Which San Diego County Jail Is the Inmate In?
San Diego County does not have only one jail. The Sheriff's Office currently operates seven detention facilities. Check the inmate's housing location in the Who's In Jail database before traveling.
San Diego Central Jail
1173 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego Central Jail is located downtown and serves as the primary intake facility for men booked into San Diego County custody.
GET DIRECTIONS →Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee serves as the primary intake facility for women in San Diego County.
451 Riverview Parkway
Santee, CA 92071
San Diego Central Jail
1173 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Las Colinas Detention & Reentry
451 Riverview Parkway
Santee, CA 92071
George Bailey Detention Facility
446 Alta Road, Suite 5300
San Diego, CA 92158
East Mesa Reentry Facility
446 Alta Road, Suite 5200
San Diego, CA 92158
Rock Mountain Detention Facility
446 Alta Road, Suite 5400
San Diego, CA 92158
South Bay Detention Facility
500 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Vista Detention Facility
325 S. Melrose Drive, #200
Vista, CA 92081
How to Post Bail for a San Diego County Jail Inmate
Start by using the Sheriff's Who's In Jail search to determine whether bail has been set and to review the bail information associated with the person's custody record.
Cash Bail or Surety Bond
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office states that it is authorized to accept bail in cash or through a surety bond.
A licensed bail bond company may post a surety bond. San Diego County maintains a list of licensed bail bond agencies but states that the Sheriff's Office does not endorse any particular company.
Bail bonds must be delivered in person to a Custody Information Office at a San Diego County Sheriff's detention facility.
OFFICIAL SAN DIEGO JAIL INFORMATION →San Diego County Jail Visitation
San Diego County offers both in-person social visitation and video visitation. Schedules vary by facility, so identify the inmate's housing location before making a reservation.
Reserve in Advance
Visit reservations must generally be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Same-day scheduling is not available.
30-Minute Visits
Video visits are currently 30 minutes long and are available seven days per week.
Two Per Week
The Sheriff's Office currently states that each incarcerated person may receive two video visits per week.
General Visit Rules
- Confirm the inmate's housing facility before scheduling.
- Reservations generally must be made at least one day in advance.
- A maximum of three visitors, including children, is generally permitted for an in-person visit.
- Visitors age 18 and older must present valid identification.
- Minors must be accompanied by a qualifying adult.
- Arrive early; required check-in time depends on the facility.
How to Receive Calls From a San Diego County Jail Inmate
San Diego County currently uses Smart Communications for telephone services for people in Sheriff's detention facilities.
The Sheriff's Office currently advises that calls from inside its detention facilities may appear from the phone number 727-349-1561.
Some mobile carriers may identify that number as spam, so the Sheriff recommends saving the number or contacting your telephone provider if legitimate jail calls are being blocked.
OFFICIAL INMATE TELEPHONE INFORMATION →How to Send Money to a San Diego County Jail Inmate
Money in an incarcerated person's account can be used for commissary purchases, including food, hygiene products, stationery and other approved personal items.
Online
The Sheriff's Office provides an online commissary system for depositing money into an incarcerated person's account.
At a Jail
Cash deposits are accepted at the Custody Information Office at Sheriff's detention facilities during designated deposit hours.
Checks / Money Orders
Certain cashier's checks, money orders and government-issued financial instruments may be accepted under Sheriff's rules.
How to Send Mail to a San Diego County Jail Inmate
Mail for people in San Diego County Sheriff's custody must be sent through the Sheriff's centralized Mail Processing Center rather than directly to most detention facilities.
Include the incarcerated person's full booking name, booking number, current housing facility, and the sender's name and return address.
Incarcerated Person's Full Name
Booking Number
Current Housing Facility
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071
Find a San Diego County Criminal Court Case
Jail records and court records are different. Once someone has been arrested and booked, you may also need to determine which San Diego County Superior Court is handling the criminal case.
The San Diego Superior Court provides an online Court Index that may be searched using a party's name, a court case number or a District Attorney case number.
Search results can provide the case title, case number, court location, case type, filing date and parties involved.
SEARCH SAN DIEGO COUNTY COURT CASES →When Will Someone Be Released From San Diego County Jail?
There is no universal release time after bail is posted or a court orders release. Jail staff must complete release procedures and determine whether any other cases, warrants or holds require continued custody.
Check the Who's In Jail Record
The Sheriff's inmate-detail page contains a release section that may display release-related information for the person in custody.
The Sheriff currently cautions that projected release dates shown online may not always be accurate while some records are being recalculated.
If release timing is important, contact the detention facility directly for confirmation.
Can't Find Someone in the San Diego County Jail Search?
Not finding someone in the Sheriff's Who's In Jail database immediately does not necessarily mean the person was not arrested.
A recently arrested person may still be undergoing transport, intake and booking.
The person may be held or processed by another city or law-enforcement agency before entering Sheriff's custody.
The person may have posted bail, been cited or otherwise been released from custody.
The person may have been transferred to another agency, county, state or federal facility.
For San Diego County custody information, call (619) 409-5000.
San Diego County Jail FAQ
How do I find someone who was arrested in San Diego County?
Use the official San Diego County Sheriff's Who's In Jail search. Search using at least two characters of the person's last name and add the first name if needed.
What is the San Diego County Jail inmate search called?
The San Diego County Sheriff's official inmate locator is called Who's In Jail.
What information does San Diego Who's In Jail show?
Available inmate records may include the booking number, housing facility, arrest agency, booking date, bail information, release information, cases and charges.
What is the San Diego County Jail phone number?
The centralized custody-information number for Sheriff's detention facilities is currently (619) 409-5000.
Where is San Diego Central Jail?
San Diego Central Jail is located at 1173 Front Street, San Diego, California 92101.
Where are women booked into San Diego County Jail?
Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee serves as the primary intake facility for women booked into San Diego County custody.
How many San Diego County jail facilities are there?
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office currently lists seven detention facilities: San Diego Central Jail, Las Colinas, George Bailey, East Mesa, Rock Mountain, South Bay and Vista.
How do I check bail for a San Diego County inmate?
Search the person in the Sheriff's Who's In Jail database. Individual custody records contain a bail section when bail information is available.
Can I visit someone in San Diego County Jail?
Yes. San Diego County provides in-person social visits and video visitation. Reservations generally must be made in advance and schedules vary by detention facility.
Does San Diego County Jail have video visitation?
Yes. The Sheriff's Office currently provides 30-minute video visits seven days per week and allows two video visits per incarcerated person per week, subject to availability and facility rules.
Why am I not receiving calls from a San Diego County inmate?
Calls from Sheriff's detention facilities currently may originate from 727-349-1561. Some cellular providers may identify the number as spam. The Sheriff recommends saving the number or checking with your provider if calls are blocked.
How do I send money to a San Diego County Jail inmate?
The Sheriff's Office permits inmate-account deposits through its commissary system and provides additional approved deposit methods. Check the current Sheriff's commissary instructions before sending money.
Where do I send mail to a San Diego County Jail inmate?
General jail correspondence is processed through the Mail Processing Center at 451 Riverview Parkway, Building C, Santee, California 92071. Include the inmate's full booking name, booking number and current housing facility.
How do I find a San Diego County criminal court case?
Use the San Diego Superior Court online Court Index. Cases may be located using a party name, case number or District Attorney case number.
Why isn't someone who was just arrested showing up?
Very recent arrests may take time to appear while transportation, intake and booking are completed. Call (619) 409-5000 if you need current custody information.
More California Jail & Inmate Search Guides
Looking for someone outside San Diego County? Browse our other California county jail guides or search all 25 GotLockedUp jail and inmate-search guides.
San Diego County Sheriff & Court Resources
These links take you directly to official San Diego County Sheriff and Superior Court resources.
Search San Diego County Who's In Jail
Use the official Sheriff's inmate locator to check current booking, custody, housing, bail and charge information.
Last verified: September 2026. Jail policies, schedules, addresses, phone numbers, vendors, bail procedures and visitation rules can change. Confirm important information with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office before traveling, sending money, posting bail or making other decisions.
GotLockedUp.com is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with San Diego County, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, San Diego Superior Court, any detention facility, court, law-enforcement agency, correctional vendor or government entity.
Information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. An arrest or criminal charge is an allegation and does not establish guilt.