Carlsbad Jail Inmate Records
Carlsbad jail roster records are kept by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The city does not run a jail. When Carlsbad Police arrest someone, they take that person to a county jail. The Sheriff operates all detention facilities in San Diego County and maintains all custody records. Carlsbad has a population of about 115,000 and is located in the North County coastal region. Most inmates arrested in Carlsbad are booked at Vista Detention Facility or other county jails based on classification needs. The Sheriff's online system provides access to all booking records for people arrested in Carlsbad.
Carlsbad Quick Facts
County Jail System for Carlsbad
The San Diego County Sheriff runs the jail system for Carlsbad and all other cities in the county. Carlsbad does not have its own jail. All inmates arrested in Carlsbad are booked into county facilities. The Sheriff handles all bookings, detention, and custody records. This system serves over three million people across San Diego County.
Most people arrested in Carlsbad are taken to Vista Detention Facility. This jail is in Vista, about fifteen miles from Carlsbad. It holds male inmates. Female inmates go to Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee. Inmates may also be sent to San Diego Central Jail, George Bailey Detention Facility, or other locations depending on bed space, classification, and the nature of charges.
| Facility | Vista Detention Facility |
|---|---|
| Address | 325 South Melrose Drive Vista, CA 92081 |
| Phone | 858-974-2222 (General Information) |
| Website | www.sdsheriff.gov |
All custody records for people arrested in Carlsbad are maintained by the Sheriff. You can search for inmates online using the county system. The search shows which facility holds each person, booking details, charges, and bail amounts.
Search Carlsbad Inmates Online
You can search for inmates arrested in Carlsbad through the San Diego County online system. The tool is free. It covers all seven county jails. Go to apps.sdsheriff.net/wij to start. You need a last name or booking number.
Enter the last name of the person you are looking for. You need at least three letters. Results show full name, date of birth, booking date, charges, bail amount, and current facility. Click on a name to see more details. The system updates regularly, so recent arrests appear within hours. If someone was just arrested in Carlsbad, check back later if they do not show up right away.
The search covers all San Diego County jails. This includes Vista, San Diego Central, Las Colinas, George Bailey, South Bay, East Mesa, and juvenile facilities. Inmates may be moved between jails, so the search shows their current location. If you cannot find someone, call the Sheriff's detention line at 858-974-2222 for help.
Note: The online search is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
VINE Custody Notifications
VINE is a free service that tracks inmates in county jails. You can sign up to get alerts when someone is released or moved. VINE works for all San Diego County jails, including inmates arrested in Carlsbad.
Visit vinelink.dhs.gov and select California, then San Diego County. Search by name or offender ID. Once you find the inmate, you can register for notifications. VINE will alert you by phone, email, or text when there is a change in custody status. You can also call 877-411-5588 to search or register by phone.
VINE only covers county jails. If an inmate is transferred to state prison, you need to use the CDCR system. Visit ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov to search for state inmates. VINE is best for tracking someone while their case is pending in local court.
Carlsbad Police Department
Carlsbad Police make arrests in the city. They do not operate a jail for long-term detention. All arrested persons are taken to county jails. For arrest records or police reports, contact Carlsbad Police. For custody records and inmate information, contact the Sheriff.
| Department | Carlsbad Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 2560 Orion Way Carlsbad, CA 92010 |
| Phone | 760-931-2119 (Non-Emergency) |
| Records | 760-931-2197 |
| Website | www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/police |
The police department is located on Orion Way in Carlsbad. The department has over 100 officers serving the city. If you need information about a recent arrest, call the non-emergency line. For police reports or older records, contact the records unit. Reports are public records but may have a copy fee.
Once someone is booked into county jail, all custody questions go to the Sheriff. The police department does not track inmates after they leave police custody. Use the Sheriff's online search or call 858-974-2222 to find someone in jail.
Other North County Cities
Carlsbad is in the North County coastal region of San Diego County. Other nearby cities use the same county jail system. All inmates may be held at any facility in the county. The Sheriff's search tool covers everyone.
Major cities in San Diego County include:
All these cities share the same jail system. You search for inmates the same way no matter where they were arrested. The online tool works countywide.
Visiting Inmates from Carlsbad
Visiting someone in San Diego County jail requires advance scheduling. Most facilities now use video visitation. Each jail has its own rules. Vista Detention Facility, where many Carlsbad inmates are held, offers both video and limited in-person visits. Check the Sheriff's website for current procedures.
Video visits are scheduled through Securus Technologies. Go to securustech.net to create an account and book a visit. There is a fee for each session. You can visit from home or from a kiosk at the jail. In-person visits may require approval and are limited to certain times and days.
To send money to an inmate, use the approved deposit service listed on the Sheriff's website. You need the inmate's full name and booking number. Inmates use funds for commissary, phone calls, and other needs. Do not send cash or checks to the jail. Use only the official vendor.
For phone calls from inmates, you may need to set up a prepaid account with the jail phone provider. Calls are monitored and recorded. The Sheriff's website has information on accepting calls from inmates in San Diego County jails.
Legal Resources in Carlsbad
If you or someone you know is in custody, legal help may be needed. The San Diego Defender's Office provides public defense for people who cannot afford a private lawyer. If you qualify, the court will appoint a public defender when you are arraigned. For questions about public defender services, call 619-338-4700 or visit www.sdcda.org.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free civil legal help to low-income residents. They do not handle criminal defense but can assist with related issues like family law. Call 877-534-2524 or visit www.lassd.org. For court information, contact the San Diego County Superior Court at 619-450-5703 or visit www.sdcourt.ca.gov. The North County Regional Center courthouse in Vista handles many cases for Carlsbad residents.
San Diego County Jail Records
Carlsbad is in San Diego County, and all jail bookings from the city go through the San Diego County Sheriff. The county jail system serves all residents and visitors across the county. For more on county facilities, inmate services, and additional resources, visit the San Diego County jail roster page.