Sonoma County Jail Inmate Search

The Sonoma County jail roster provides current custody information for inmates held in county facilities. Search the roster online through the Sheriff's Office database in Santa Rosa. All bookings show up as they happen. The system updates around the clock with new arrests and releases. You can look up anyone by name at no cost. Each record shows booking date, charges, bail amount, and expected release details. Sonoma County keeps this information public under state law. The roster includes inmates at the Main Adult Detention Facility and other county holding areas.

Sonoma County Inmate Locator

Sonoma County runs its inmate search at inmatesearch.sonomasheriff.org/JailInmateSearch/Home for public access. Type a last name or first name to start. The tool finds matches right away. You see full booking details for each person in custody.

Results include the inmate's age and gender. You get their booking number and date. The system lists all charges filed against them. Bail amounts show when set by a judge. Some inmates have no bail due to the type of charge. The search also displays the housing location within the jail facility.

This database pulls from the jail management system in real time. New bookings appear within minutes. Released inmates stay on the roster for a short time before removal. The county does not keep a long-term archive online. For older records, you must contact the Sheriff's Records Unit directly.

The search tool works on all devices. Mobile users get the same features as desktop browsers. No login is required. You do not need to create an account. The county provides this service free under California's public records laws.

Sonoma County Jail Contact Information

The Main Adult Detention Facility is located at 2777 Ventura Avenue in Santa Rosa. Call (707) 565-1400 for general jail questions. Staff can answer inquiries about specific inmates, visiting hours, and inmate phone policies.

All people arrested in Sonoma County go through this facility for booking. Some stay here for their entire custody period. Others transfer to state prison after sentencing. The jail holds pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates with terms under one year. It also houses state inmates on a contract basis when state facilities are full.

Visitation happens through scheduled appointments. Most visits are now by video rather than in person. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. The jail provides details on how to get approved when you call. There are rules about what you can discuss during visits. Recording or photographing video visits is not allowed.

VINE Custody Alerts

Sonoma County uses VINE for custody notifications. This free service lets you track when an inmate gets released or moved. Go to vinelink.dhs.gov and select California, then Sonoma County. Search by name to find the inmate. You can register to get alerts by phone, email, or text message. VINE works for all California counties. The system checks custody status multiple times per day. When a change happens, registered users get notified within hours. This helps victims of crime stay aware of an offender's status. Family members also use it to know when someone is getting out. The service is anonymous. The inmate does not know who registered for alerts.

Sending Money to Inmates

Inmates need money in their account for commissary purchases and phone calls. Sonoma County contracts with approved vendors for deposits. You cannot send cash or personal checks to the jail. All funds must go through official channels. Most vendors let you deposit online with a credit card or debit card. There is usually a processing fee. Money shows up in the inmate's account within one to three business days. You need the inmate's full name and booking number. The jail can provide the booking number if you do not have it. Inmates use their account funds to buy food items, hygiene products, and other approved goods from the commissary. They also pay for phone calls with these funds. Without money in their account, inmates rely on free items provided by the jail.

Phone calls from jail are not free. Inmates call collect or use a prepaid phone account. To receive collect calls, you accept the charges when the call comes in. Prepaid accounts cost less per minute. You set up an account through the jail's phone service provider. Add money to the account in advance. The inmate can then place calls that deduct from that balance. International calls have higher rates than domestic ones.

Major Cities in Sonoma County

Sonoma County includes several cities with over 100,000 people. Santa Rosa is the largest and serves as the county seat. All arrests in Santa Rosa go through the Sonoma County Jail. The city does not operate its own detention facility. Use the county jail roster to find inmates from Santa Rosa. Other cities in Sonoma County handle bookings the same way. Everyone ends up at the county jail in Santa Rosa for processing and custody. This centralized system makes it easier to search for inmates since there is only one main facility.

Neighboring Jail Rosters

If your search comes up empty, try nearby counties. Marin County is south of Sonoma and has its own jail roster. Napa County lies to the east with a separate system. Mendocino County sits north of Sonoma and runs its own facility.

People sometimes get arrested in one county and held in another based on where charges are filed. California also moves inmates between counties for court appearances and other reasons. If you cannot locate someone in Sonoma County, expand your search to neighboring areas. The state prison system is separate. Check ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov for inmates in state custody.