San Diego Inmate Lookup
San Diego jail roster records are kept by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. All people arrested in San Diego by local police are booked into county jail facilities. The city does not run its own jail. San Diego County has seven detention facilities that hold inmates from all parts of the county. The Sheriff handles all booking records and operates the online search tool used to find inmates in San Diego. Most bookings happen at the San Diego Central Jail located downtown. This system serves over three million residents across the county.
San Diego Quick Facts
San Diego County Jail System
The San Diego County Sheriff runs the jail system for the city of San Diego and the entire county. When the San Diego Police Department makes an arrest, they bring that person to a county jail facility. The city has no jail of its own. All inmates arrested in San Diego go into county custody. The Sheriff oversees booking, housing, and release of all inmates.
San Diego County operates seven detention facilities. The largest is San Diego Central Jail at 1173 Front Street downtown. This is where most new arrests are processed. The facility holds both men and women in separate areas. Other facilities include Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility for women in Santee, George Bailey Detention Facility near the Otay Mesa border, and several others. Inmates may be moved between facilities based on classification and bed space.
| Facility | San Diego Central Jail |
|---|---|
| Address | 1173 Front Street San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Phone | 858-974-2222 (General Information) |
| Hours | 24/7 Booking Operations |
| Website | www.sdsheriff.gov |
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department maintains all records for inmates booked anywhere in the county, including those arrested by San Diego police. You can search the jail roster online to see who is in custody. The roster shows booking date, charges, bail amount, and which facility holds the person.
Inmate Search San Diego County
You can search for inmates in San Diego through the county's online system. The tool is free. It shows current inmates in any of the seven county jails. The database updates often so you can see recent bookings from San Diego and other areas in the county.
Go to apps.sdsheriff.net/wij to start. You can search by last name or booking number. Enter at least the first three letters of a last name to search. The results show the person's full name, booking number, date of birth, booking date, charges, bail amount, and current location. Click on a name to see more details like next court date and expected release date if available.
The search covers all San Diego County detention facilities. These include San Diego Central Jail, Las Colinas, George Bailey, Vista Detention Facility, South Bay Detention Facility, East Mesa Reentry Facility, and San Diego Juvenile Detention Facility. Most inmates arrested in the city of San Diego are first booked at Central Jail, but they may be moved later. The online search shows where each inmate is held at the time you search.
If you have trouble with the online search, you can call the Sheriff's detention information line at 858-974-2222. Staff can look up an inmate by name and tell you where they are housed. This line is available during business hours. For after-hours inquiries, you may need to call the specific facility where you believe the person is held.
VINE Custody Notifications
VINE lets you track an inmate's status and get alerts when they are released. This is helpful if you need to know when someone gets out. VINE works for all San Diego County jails. It is free to use.
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 to get updates by phone, email, or text. VINE will notify you if the person is released, transferred, or has a court date. You can also call 877-411-5588 to search by phone or register for alerts.
VINE covers county jail inmates but not state prison inmates. If an inmate is moved from San Diego County jail to state prison, you need to use the CDCR inmate locator instead. VINE is best for tracking short-term custody in local jails while cases are pending.
Note: VINE notifications are automatic once you register and will continue until you cancel or the inmate is no longer in the system.
San Diego Police Department
The San Diego Police Department makes most arrests in the city. When they arrest someone, they take that person to a county jail. SDPD does not hold inmates for more than a few hours. All bookings are processed by the Sheriff. If you need information about an arrest made by SDPD, you can contact the department for initial details, but custody records are maintained by the Sheriff.
| Department | San Diego Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 1401 Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Phone | 619-531-2000 (Non-Emergency) |
| Records | 619-531-2275 |
| Website | www.sandiego.gov/police |
SDPD has eight patrol divisions covering different parts of the city. Each division responds to calls and makes arrests in its area. All arrested persons are taken to the county jail system. You cannot visit inmates at police stations. Once someone is booked into county custody, the Sheriff handles all visitation, phone calls, and inmate services.
To request police reports or arrest records from SDPD, visit their records unit at the headquarters address listed above. You may need to pay a fee for copies. Police reports give details about the arrest, but ongoing custody information comes from the Sheriff. For questions about charges or court dates, contact the San Diego County District Attorney or the court directly.
Other San Diego County Cities
San Diego County has several cities with populations over 100,000. All use the same county jail system. Inmates from any city in the county may be housed at any of the seven detention facilities. Each city has its own police department or contracts with the Sheriff for law enforcement, but all inmates end up in the same county jail roster.
Major cities in San Diego County include:
Each city page has specific police contact information and local details, but the jail search process is the same countywide. Use the San Diego County Sheriff's inmate search tool to find anyone arrested in these cities.
Jail Visitation in San Diego
Visiting an inmate in San Diego requires scheduling ahead. Most facilities use video visitation now instead of in-person visits. Each facility has its own rules. Check the Sheriff's website for current procedures at the jail where your inmate is housed.
Video visits are scheduled through the Securus Technologies system. Go to securustech.net to create an account and book a visit. You can visit from home or from a kiosk at the jail. Visits cost a fee and must be scheduled in advance. In-person visits are limited and may require approval.
To send money to an inmate in San Diego County jail, use the approved deposit service. Inmates can use funds for commissary, phone calls, and other services. The Sheriff's website lists approved vendors. You will need the inmate's full name and booking number to send money. Never send cash or personal checks directly to the jail.
For phone calls, inmates use the jail phone system provided by a contracted vendor. You may need to set up a prepaid account to accept calls. Calls are recorded and monitored. The Sheriff's website has information on how to receive calls from San Diego County inmates.
Legal Help for San Diego Inmates
Several groups in San Diego offer legal help to people in jail or facing charges. Some provide free help to those who qualify based on income. Others offer referrals to private attorneys. These resources can be important if you or someone you know is in custody and needs legal advice.
The San Diego Defender's Office represents people who cannot afford a private lawyer. This is the public defender system for the county. If you are in custody and qualify, the court will appoint a public defender to your case. Contact information is provided when you are arraigned. For questions about public defender services, call the main office at 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 child custody or housing. Call 877-534-2524 or visit www.lassd.org. The San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program also provides free help in certain civil matters. Call 619-231-8585 for more information.
For general questions about criminal cases in San Diego, you can contact the San Diego County Superior Court at 619-450-5703. Court records are available online at www.sdcourt.ca.gov. The court website has information on case status, hearing dates, and how to access court documents.
San Diego County Jail Records
San Diego is in San Diego County, and all jail bookings in the city are processed by the San Diego County Sheriff. The Sheriff maintains custody records for over three million county residents. For more on the county detention system, facility details, and additional resources, visit the San Diego County jail roster page.