Calaveras County Jail

You can support your loved ones at Calaveras Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 209-754-6499.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Calaveras Co Jail is a detention center located at 1045 Jeff Tuttle Dr San Andreas, CA which is operated locally by the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Calaveras County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, San Andreas Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for California here.

The Calaveras County Adult Detention Facility operates under the command of the Custody Bureau Captain, who oversees a range of responsibilities integral to the facility's operation. These include the management of the county jail, the work release program, prisoner transportation, and court security, all aimed at ensuring the safety and security of individuals pending trial or those convicted of crimes within Calaveras County. As the central booking and intake location for all law enforcement agencies in the county, the facility is under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Office, which is tasked with the care, custody, and control of individuals arrested or transported to Calaveras County. The facility adheres to state and federal standards, which mandate specific requirements such as minimum living space, medical and dental treatment, and other essential services funded by taxpayers.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

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The Historic Calaveras County Jail, constructed in 1963, was originally designed to house 45 male inmates, 4 female inmates, and 10 juvenile inmates. Although the facility included housing units for female inmates, they were often transferred to the Amador County Jail. From 1963 until 1980, sworn deputies were responsible for a variety of duties, including staffing the jail, conducting patrols, and manning the 911/dispatch center, which was then part of the jail. The burden of these responsibilities was eased in 1980 when correctional officers assumed the duties of jail management, allowing patrol deputies to focus on their primary law enforcement roles.

As the community grew, the need for additional bed space became apparent. In response, the first significant modifications to the jail were initiated in 1983. A new Male Housing Wing was added, and an existing wing was converted to accommodate the increasing number of female inmates. The kitchen, visitation, and laundry rooms were also expanded, and a library and secure exercise yard were constructed to enhance the facility’s functionality. Despite these improvements, the jail continued to experience overpopulation, leading to a population cap imposed by the Calaveras County Superior Court in 1993 to mitigate the issue.

The jail underwent a second expansion in 1999 with the addition of a maximum-security wing, designed to segregate violent offenders from the general population and equipped with enhanced safety features for correctional staff. However, even with the addition of eight maximum-security beds, the facility continued to struggle with overpopulation.