Find San Diego County Jail Roster

San Diego County maintains a jail roster through the Sheriff's Department online system. The Who's In Jail database lets you search for inmates across all county detention facilities. You can look up booking information, charges, and bond amounts for people currently in custody. The system is free and available to the public at all hours. San Diego County books thousands of people each month into jail facilities located in Kearny Mesa, downtown San Diego, and other locations throughout the region. Most searches take just seconds to complete once you enter a name or booking number into the database.

San Diego Sheriff Jail Information

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department operates multiple jail facilities. The main office sits at 9621 Ridgehaven Court in San Diego. Call 858-974-2222 for general jail information. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and which facility holds them.

San Diego County runs several detention centers. The main jail is located in Kearny Mesa. Downtown San Diego also has a facility. Each location has different visiting hours and rules. Check with the specific jail before you visit to avoid confusion.

The sheriff's department books all arrestees brought in by local police departments throughout the county. This includes arrests made by San Diego Police, Chula Vista Police, and other agencies. All go through the same county jail system.

Who's In Jail Online Search

Search the San Diego County jail roster at apps.sdsheriff.net/wij through the Who's In Jail database. This system shows current inmates across all facilities. You need a last name or booking number to start your search.

Results display full name, age, and physical description. You see booking date and time. The system lists all charges and shows bail amount if bail has been set. It tells you which facility currently houses the inmate.

The database updates throughout the day as new bookings occur. Very recent arrests might take a few hours to appear in the system. Check back later if you do not find someone right away.

This search covers only people currently in custody. Once someone gets released, their information no longer appears in the Who's In Jail database. For historical records, you need to contact the sheriff's records division directly.

Track Inmates Through VINE

San Diego County uses VINE for custody notifications. Register at vinelink.dhs.gov to receive alerts when an inmate's status changes. Pick email or text message for notifications.

VINE tracks releases, transfers, and court movements. You get instant updates when someone leaves custody. This service is completely free for all users. It works across California so you can track people in multiple counties at once.

Crime victims can use VINE to stay safe. Get notified before someone who hurt you leaves jail. This gives you time to take precautions or notify authorities if needed.

Jail Booking in San Diego County

Police bring arrested individuals to a county jail for booking. Staff take fingerprints and photos. They collect personal information and check for outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions. The booking process typically takes four to six hours depending on how busy the jail is.

After booking, inmates see a judge within two days for arraignment. The court sets bail at that hearing. Some people get released on their own recognizance if the charge is minor and they have ties to the community. Others must post bail to get out before trial.

Bail amounts depend on the charges. Misdemeanors usually have lower bail. Felonies can require tens of thousands of dollars or more. Some serious offenses allow no bail at all. Judges consider criminal history and flight risk when setting amounts.

Inmate Phone and Money Services

San Diego County jails use Securus Technologies for inmate phone services. Inmates make outbound calls only. They cannot receive incoming calls at the jail. You need to set up a Securus account to accept calls from an inmate or add money to their phone account.

Deposit money to an inmate's account through the sheriff's website or at kiosks located near each jail. This money pays for commissary items like snacks, hygiene products, and writing supplies. It also covers phone calls and sometimes tablets used inside the facility.

Visitation happens at each jail on specific days and times. Some facilities require advance scheduling. Bring valid photo ID when you visit. Dress appropriately. The jail can deny entry if you wear revealing clothing or colors associated with gangs.

Cities in San Diego County

San Diego County includes eighteen incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities. All use the county jail system. City police departments book arrestees into Sheriff's Department custody.

• San Diego - County seat and largest city
• Chula Vista - Second largest city in the county
• Oceanside - North County coastal city
• Escondido - Inland North County location
• Carlsbad - North County beach community
• El Cajon - East County city near La Mesa
• National City - South Bay community

Chula Vista operates a city jail for short-term holding but transfers inmates to county facilities for longer stays. Most other cities rely entirely on the county sheriff for jail services.

Neighboring County Rosters

If your search in San Diego County comes up empty, check nearby counties. People sometimes get arrested just across county lines or transferred to another jurisdiction.

• Orange County - North of San Diego County
• Riverside County - Northeast border county
• Imperial County - East of San Diego in the desert

Each county maintains separate jail systems and databases. You need to search each one individually to locate an inmate who might have been arrested outside San Diego County.