Orange County-Intake Release Center (IRC)

You can support your loved ones at Orange Co-IRC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 714-647-4666.

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 Orange Co-IRC is a detention center located at 550 N Flower St Santa Ana, CA which is operated locally by the Orange 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. Orange County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Santa Ana 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 Intake Release Center (IRC) plays a critical role in the Orange County Jail system, responsible for the intake and release of all individuals processed through the facility. This process includes comprehensive medical and mental health screenings, classification, and records processing to ensure that each individual is appropriately housed and receives the necessary level of care during their incarceration under the custody of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

In addition to intake and release functions, the IRC also provides extensive long-term housing, with more than 800 beds available. Due to the increasing demand for mental health care, much of the IRC's housing has been converted to acute mental health units, serving both male and female populations. Inmates may be housed at the IRC upon initial intake or transferred back to the facility from other custodial locations if they require a higher level of care. The mental health units at the IRC are designed to offer specialized care within a secure environment that promotes treatment. These units are staffed by a dedicated team of medical and mental health professionals, along with specially trained deputies from the Behavioral Health Bureau. The collaborative efforts of these teams ensure that individuals in these units receive continuous treatment, including participation in both individual and group therapy sessions. A significant portion of this housing is designated under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act, allowing for targeted care for the most acute mental health cases.

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.

The IRC also facilitates the Jail to Community Re-Entry Program, a robust initiative ensuring that inmates continue to receive treatment and access to services even after their release. Before release, every individual undergoes a screening by medical staff to confirm their physical and mental stability. If an individual is not stable, they are transferred to an appropriate medical or mental health facility. The IRC further supports individuals by providing direct access to essential services upon release. The IRC lobby houses the Orange County Social Services Agency, Orange County Probation, and Project Kinship, allowing individuals to connect with benefits and probation services immediately upon release. Project Kinship staff, who have shared life experiences, are available 24/7 in the IRC lobby to assist with the transition from custody, offering support with housing, transportation, and reentry services.

The IRC also oversees the Transportation Bureau, an essential division within the Orange County Jail system. The Transportation Bureau operates 24/7, 365 days a year, managing the transportation of inmates to various locations, including other OCSD facilities, courts, work sites, hospitals, state prisons, and out-of-county jails. The transportation deputies utilize a fleet of vehicles, including buses, mobile command centers, vans, and cars, to cover these duties, averaging over 600,000 miles annually on the road. The Transportation Bureau also provides mutual aid response during major events, underscoring its vital role in the overall functioning of the Orange County Jail system.