San Bernardino County-Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center

The Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, situated on 9 acres of land, serves as a primary facility for housing both male and female inmates sentenced to county commitments in San Bernardino County. This expansive facility consists of three inmate housing units, each designed to accommodate different security levels and inmate populations. Originally established in 1960 as a work camp, the male facility has since evolved to include both Minimum and Maximum Security Housing Units. It now has a maximum capacity of 1,446 inmates, with an average daily population of around 800 male and female inmates.

The male facility began with a modest capacity of 100 inmates and also served as the site for the Sheriff’s Basic Academy, which was later relocated. The current configuration of the facility includes two Minimum Security Housing Units and one Maximum Security Housing Unit. Plans are underway to remodel two existing dormitory housing units, which will increase the facility's capacity to house over 500 additional pre-trial and sentenced county inmates.

Glen Helen’s Female Facility opened in 1988, initially providing three dormitory units for county-sentenced inmates. In 2003, a Maximum Security Unit was added, allowing the facility to accommodate both pre-trial and sentenced female inmates. The Female Facility now has the capacity to house 326 inmates, with an average daily population of approximately 250.

In collaboration with the courts and the Judicial Council, San Bernardino County has modified its Work Release program to allow more sentenced inmates to qualify. Inmates who participate in this program can take specific classes while incarcerated at Glen Helen. Upon successful completion, they may qualify for early release under the court’s direction, allowing them to reestablish ties with their families and return to their former employment. This program enables inmates to serve their sentences while contributing to the community on their non-scheduled workdays.

Additionally, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has authorized the Sheriff to administer a work release program, which includes the option of completing court commitments on an electronic confinement program. Participants in this program are required to wear a GPS ankle transmitter for the duration of their sentence. While there is a fee of $15.00 per day, inability to pay does not disqualify an inmate from participation.

The Inmate Services Unit (ISU) is headquartered at the Glen Helen site and administers services for inmates across San Bernardino County’s primary custody facilities and outlying jails. This unit provides a range of court-ordered and voluntary programs, including academic, vocational, and cognitive classes, Twelve-step programs, crisis counseling, and religious services, all aimed at facilitating rehabilitation during incarceration and upon release. ISU collaborates with government agencies, schools, community and faith-based organizations, and local employers to reduce recidivism and enhance community safety.

In May 2013, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department launched a pioneering inmate firefighter program at Glen Helen, establishing an 8-acre inmate fire camp. This program, the first county-operated fire camp in California, trains male inmate fire hand crews. It was developed in response to California’s prison realignment law, which shifted the responsibility for detaining low-level convicts from state prisons to county jails in October 2011. The law led to an influx of inmates in county jails, some of whom had previously worked on fire crews managed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The realignment also allowed inmates to serve longer sentences in county jails, providing them the opportunity to complete firefighter training and serve on a fire crew. Currently, the fire camp operates with three 14-man crews, with plans to expand further. On November 23, 2015, a 13-member female fire crew graduated from the program, marking the first female inmate fire crew in the state.

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.