Chula Vista Jail Records
Chula Vista jail roster records are maintained by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The city has a small holding facility used by Chula Vista Police for short-term detention, but all formal bookings go to county jails. When someone is arrested in Chula Vista, they are processed into the San Diego County jail system. The Sheriff runs all detention facilities in the county and keeps all custody records. Chula Vista is the second largest city in San Diego County with a population over 270,000. Most inmates from Chula Vista are initially booked at the South Bay Detention Facility in Chula Vista or transferred to other county jails based on classification needs.
Chula Vista Quick Facts
County Jail for Chula Vista
San Diego County runs the jail system for Chula Vista. The city police make arrests, but county facilities house inmates. Chula Vista has a city jail, but it only holds people for a few hours. All bookings that last more than a day go to county custody. The Sheriff operates seven jails across the county.
Most Chula Vista arrests are processed at the South Bay Detention Facility. This jail is located in Chula Vista at 500 Third Avenue. It holds both men and women in separate areas. The facility is close to downtown Chula Vista and the police station. Inmates may also be sent to San Diego Central Jail, George Bailey Detention Facility, or Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility depending on gender, charges, and available space.
The San Diego County Sheriff handles all records for people arrested in Chula Vista. You search the same online tool used for the entire county. The system shows which jail holds each inmate. You can also see booking date, charges, and bail information. Call the Sheriff's detention line at 858-974-2222 for help finding an inmate.
Search Chula Vista Inmates Online
The San Diego County inmate search covers all jails including those used for Chula Vista arrests. Go to apps.sdsheriff.net/wij to search. You need a last name or booking number. Type at least three letters of the last name to start your search.
Results show full name, date of birth, booking date, charges, bail amount, and current facility. Click a name to see more details. The database updates often, so recent arrests appear within hours. If someone was just arrested in Chula Vista, check back later if they do not show up right away.
The search works for inmates in any San Diego County jail. This includes South Bay Detention Facility, San Diego Central Jail, George Bailey, Vista, East Mesa, and Las Colinas. Inmates can be moved between jails, so the search shows where they are right now. If you cannot find someone, call 858-974-2222 and staff can help.
VINE for Chula Vista
VINE tracks inmates in San Diego County jails. You can register to get alerts when an inmate is released or moved. This service is free. It works for people arrested in Chula Vista and held in county custody.
Visit vinelink.dhs.gov to search for an inmate. Select California and then San Diego County. Enter the person's name. Once you find them, register for alerts by phone, email, or text. You can also call 877-411-5588 to use the phone system. VINE will notify you of custody changes automatically.
VINE only covers county jails. If an inmate is moved to state prison, you need to use a different system. For state prison inmates, use the CDCR inmate locator at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. VINE is best for tracking someone while their case is pending in local court.
Note: VINE alerts continue until you cancel your registration or the inmate leaves the jail system.
Chula Vista Police Department
Chula Vista Police make arrests in the city. They book people at the city jail for a short time, then transfer them to county custody. CVPD does not hold inmates for more than a few hours. All long-term detention is handled by the Sheriff. For arrest records or police reports, contact CVPD. For custody and jail records, contact the Sheriff.
| Department | Chula Vista Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 315 Fourth Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 |
| Phone | 619-691-5151 (Non-Emergency) |
| Records | 619-691-5074 |
| Website | www.chulavistapd.org |
CVPD headquarters is downtown near the city jail. The department serves the entire city with over 300 officers. If you need information about a recent arrest, call the non-emergency line. For older records or reports, contact the records unit. Police reports are public but may have a fee. Once someone is in county jail, the Sheriff handles all questions about custody status.
Other South Bay Cities
Chula Vista is part of the South Bay region of San Diego County. Other nearby cities share the same jail system. Inmates from any city in the county may be held at any facility. The Sheriff's inmate search covers everyone.
Nearby cities in San Diego County include:
All these cities use the San Diego County jail system. You search for inmates the same way no matter where they were arrested. The online tool at apps.sdsheriff.net/wij covers the whole county.
Visiting Inmates from Chula Vista
Visiting an inmate in San Diego County jail requires scheduling. Most jails now use video visitation. Each facility has different rules. Check the Sheriff's website for the specific jail where your inmate is held. South Bay Detention Facility in Chula Vista offers both video and in-person visits depending on classification.
Video visits are booked through Securus Technologies. Visit securustech.net to create an account and schedule a visit. You pay a fee for each session. You can visit from home or use a kiosk at the jail. In-person visits may require approval and are limited to certain days and times.
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. Never mail cash or checks to the jail. Use the official vendor only.
Legal Help in Chula Vista
If you or someone you know is in jail, legal help may be needed. Several groups in San Diego County provide services to people in custody. Some offer free help to those who qualify. Others can refer you to private lawyers.
The San Diego Defender's Office provides public defense services for people who cannot afford a lawyer. If you are in custody and qualify, the court will appoint a public defender. Call 619-338-4700 for more information or visit www.sdcda.org. Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free civil legal help at 877-534-2524 or www.lassd.org.
For questions about court cases, contact the San Diego County Superior Court at 619-450-5703. The South Bay Courthouse in Chula Vista is at 500 Third Avenue. Court records and case information are online at www.sdcourt.ca.gov. The court can provide hearing dates and case status for inmates arrested in Chula Vista.
San Diego County Jail Roster
Chula Vista is in San Diego County. All jail bookings from the city are processed by the San Diego County Sheriff. The county jail system serves all cities and unincorporated areas. For complete information on county facilities, inmate services, and additional resources, visit the San Diego County jail roster page.