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Santa Cruz Co Jail Visitation Center

County Jail

Last Updated: August 23,2024


Visitation Hours

The County Jail provides on-site and online visitation options to help inmates maintain contact with family and friends.

On-Site Visitation Hours

  • Monday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Holidays - call for available times and reserve yours as these days are the busiest times of the year

Visitors must follow the dress code and behavior guidelines whether they are visiting here or from their computer/smartphone. Violations may result in the termination of the visit.

Online Video Visitation
Online visits can be scheduled in advance, allowing remote connection from home or work. Visitors must set up an account and adhere to dress and behavior guidelines. Visits cost a minimum of $0.25 per minute and are monitored for security.

General Information
Visitation hours and policies are subject to change. Call the facility at 831-454-2420 for updates. For more information and to set up an online visitation account.

General Visitation Information

Santa Cruz County CA Main Jail - Visitation

The Main Jail’s visiting hours will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.

Visitors can call Jail Reception at (831) 454-7800, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., and 8:00 A.M.-3:00P.M. on Friday, to schedule a visit in accordance with the schedule below.

Visits MUST be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance, but no sooner than 7 days in advance.

Scheduled visits may be cancelled by the Jail Watch Commander at any time due to emergencies or a change of circumstances requiring cancellation.

The letters in the chart, below, correspond to the specific housing unit. Jail Reception can advise you in which housing unit the inmate you wish to visit is located.

Saturday
8:00am - N
9:00am - L
10:00am - K
11:00am – H/G
12:00pm – P/E
1:00pm - D
2:00pm -N
3:00pm – M/A
4:00pm – B/F
5:00pm – Q/J
6:00pm – O/C
Sunday
8:00am - O/J

9:00am - D
10:00am - M/A
11:00am - B/F
12:00pm - P/E
1:00pm - N
2:00pm - L
3:00pm - K
4:00pm - H/G
5:00pm - Q/C
6:00pm - N

The inmate you wish to visit must submit a VISITOR REQUEST FORM, with all visitors’ information. It can take up to 10 days to complete background checks for each visitor. Once the inmate’s visitor request form has been approved, visitors can call Jail Reception to schedule a visit.

Visiting
Visitor lists may only be updated every 30 days. The inmate is responsible for submitting a Visitor Clearance Form. The inmate will need each visitor’s full name, address, phone number, date of birth and a Government ID number (i.e. Drivers License, Passport, Matricula). The inmate submits the completed form to the Jail Staff for visiting clearance. Anyone who has been in custody within the past 60 days, is on parole or formal probation, has a warrant or restraining order prohibiting contact, may not visit.
We schedule appointments Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visiting slots are available every Saturday, Sunday, and are scheduled according to the inmate housing assignments. You may call (831) 454-7800 to schedule an appointment. Visits may be scheduled up to one week in advance.

Visiting Rules

  • Visitor must arrive one half hour before for check-in. Visitors arriving after the 45 minute mark will have visit automatically cancelled. No exceptions.
  • Visiting inmates is by appointment only and visitors must be approved in advance.
  • Inmates must be in custody for 72 hours prior to having any visits.
  • Appointments are required and must be made with the Reception Staff at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Inmates are allowed two visits per week (only one visit per day).
  • Visitors must arrive and register 30 minutes prior to their scheduled visit to avoid cancellation. Once you have checked in and your visit is called, if you are not in our lobby, the visit is cancelled. Any visitor canceling or missing a total of 3 visits will be banned from visiting for 30 days.
  • Each visit may include up to 2 adults and 3 children. Adult visitors must present a valid photo ID (i.e. Drivers License, Passport, Matricula). A parent or legal guardian must accompany visitors under the age of 18. The parent must bring the minor’s birth certificate and the legal guardian must present court papers showing they are the legal guardian or provide a notarized letter along with the minor’s birth certificate. Minors cannot be left unattended in the lobby area, parking lot or any other area on the jail property.
  • All visitors must be appropriately dressed. Clothing that is revealing, offensive, gang related or distracting to others will not be allowed. Shoes and shirts are required. Jail Staff will determine the appropriateness of the clothing.
  • Misconduct or violation of the jail rules will result in immediate termination of the visit and may result in the termination of visiting privileges.
  • Visitors will not be allowed to bring any property into the visiting room (i.e. cell phones, purses, pagers). Only 1 (one) key will be allowed. Lockers are available for 25 cents. No property to be held in reception.

DRESS CODE RULES STRICTLY ENFORCED

All visitors must wear shoes and clothing that is appropriate for visiting at the MAIN JAIL. Your visit will be cancelled and you will be denied entry into the facility if these rules are not followed. Any questions or clarification of these rules must be directed to the day shift supervisor.

THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ALLOWED:

  • Dresses, skirts, skirts with slits that are more than 2 inches above the knee
  • Clothing that exposes any part of the back, shoulders, chest or midriff
  • Visible undergarments
  • Transparent clothing, strapless, halter, spaghetti straps, bare midriff clothing, tank tops
  • Unfastened buttons and zippers (they must remain fastened)
  • Clothing that resembles jail / inmate clothing
  • Law Enforcement or military patterned clothing>
  • Clothing or footwear containing metal
  • Hats
  • Medical attire (scrubs)
  • Attire displaying obscene or offensive language or drawings
  • Visitors with tattoos of an offensive nature, or visible gang-associated tattoos or clothing, will not be allowed to visit
  • Anything else deemed inappropriate by the Facility Commander or his/her designee will not be allowed>

All visitors entering the secure area of the jail are subject to being searched. Any person refusing to be searched will be denied the visit and escorted from the facility.

Visiting Inmates at Santa Cruz County Main Jail

All Visitors are subject to search once inside the facility.

The public may visit no more than one time per week, Monday through Saturday at this Santa Cruz CA location. Visitors must sign inat least 15 minutes before their scheduled visits. If you schedule a visit and don't show up or show up late, you will not be allowed to visit the rest of that week, including Saturday. If a visit on Saturday is scheduled, and the visitor does not show up or shows up late, they will not be allowed to visit until the following Saturday. Repeated late arrival or no-show violations may result in longer suspension of visiting privileges. Inmates are allowed no more than one (1) visit per day. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, unless they are visiting a parent. Unaccompanied minors (under age 18) visiting a parent must present a copy of their birth certificate. Children must remain with the parent at all times during the visit. All visitors must have acceptable identification. This includes a drivers license with picture identification, military ID, or other verifiable picture ID. Three (3) pieces of non-picture ID may substitute for picture ID.

No mail or messages for inmates will be accepted. Mail must go through the U.S. Mail. Visitors may only visit the inmate they have signed up to visit. Any visitor who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to visit. Inappropriate behavior, including the use of profanity, will not be permitted. No weapons will be permitted. All other items listed in the jail lobby are prohibited. There is a maximum of four (4) visitors per booth, including children, and the door must remain closed.

All visitors must wear appropriate clothing, including shoes and shirts. Restrictions on attire or appearance include: No miniskirts or similar attire; no low-cut or revealing necklines; no attire with obscene or offensive language; and no persons with a bare midriff will be permitted to visit. Visitors cannot bring items into the visiting area including weapons of any kind, purses, handbags, backpacks, diaper bags, food, drink, gum, baby bottles, pictures, books, toys, writing utensils, strollers or carriers, cell phones, cameras, or any other electronic devices.

Violation of the above restrictions may cause the visit to be cancelled or terminated, and visiting privileges may be suspended by the Santa Cruz Sheriffs Department. The on-duty supervisor may cancel visits without notice due to circumstances within the jail.

Visitation Rules

County - Rules by type

The Santa Cruz County Main Jail, located in Santa Cruz, CA, plays a crucial role in facilitating successful offender reintegration into the community, a cornerstone of effective crime control strategies. With a focus on rehabilitation and community engagement, the center aims to support individuals as they transition from incarceration back into society. However, this process is governed by a multitude of rules and regulations that visitors must adhere to, ensuring the safety and security of all involved parties.

Visitors to the prison must navigate a complex set of guidelines regarding identification, conduct, and the items they can bring during visits. These rules are in place to maintain order within the facility and to protect both visitors and inmates. For example, visitors are required to present proper forms of identification upon arrival, such as a driver's license or government-issued ID card. This helps to verify their identity and ensure that they are authorized to visit the inmate.

Furthermore, visitors must adhere to strict rules regarding their conduct while inside the facility. Disruptive behavior, the use of loud or obscene language, or engaging in any form of sexual behavior can result in the termination of the visit and may lead to further consequences. Additionally, visitors are prohibited from bringing certain items into the visiting room, including cell phones, cameras, and weapons. These restrictions help to maintain the safety and security of the facility and prevent any unauthorized items from entering the prison.

In addition to these general rules, there are specific guidelines that visitors must follow depending on their circumstances. For example, visitors with children must ensure that they are supervised at all times and that they do not engage in any inappropriate behavior while inside the facility. Likewise, visitors who require medication during their visit must inform the visiting room officer upon arrival and follow the appropriate procedures to ensure that their medication is properly stored and administered.

Another important aspect of visiting a prison is understanding the limitations and restrictions that may apply to certain individuals. For example, individuals who have previously been incarcerated, are currently under probation or parole supervision, or are victims of the inmate are typically not permitted to visit. Likewise, individuals who have had their visiting privileges suspended or who have an active protection from abuse (PFA) order against them are also prohibited from visiting the inmate.

Despite these restrictions, there are procedures in place for individuals who wish to visit an inmate but are not permitted under normal circumstances. Inmates can initiate a request to have a prohibited visitor added to their visiting list, and a recommendation from the inmate's unit team may allow the visitor to be approved by the facility manager or designee. However, reinstatement of visiting privileges is not guaranteed, and individuals whose visiting privileges have been suspended must write to the appropriate facility manager seeking reinstatement.

Upon arrival at the prison, visitors are subject to a thorough screening process to ensure that they do not bring any contraband into the facility. This includes a search of their person, their belongings, and their vehicle. Visitors must also pass through a metal detector and may be subject to additional screening measures, such as drug screenings conducted by dogs or special devices. Failure to pass these screenings can result in the denial of the visit and may lead to further consequences.

Once inside the visiting room, visitors must continue to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the prison. This includes refraining from conversing with other inmates or their guests, as well as following any specific instructions given by the visiting room officers. Visitors are also responsible for keeping control of their children and ensuring that they do not engage in any disruptive behavior.

In addition to these general guidelines, there are specific rules that visitors must follow depending on their circumstances. For example, visitors with infants must adhere to guidelines regarding the types and amounts of baby items they can bring into the visiting room. Likewise, visitors who require medication during their visit must inform the visiting room officer upon arrival and follow the appropriate procedures to ensure that their medication is properly stored and administered.

Overall, visiting a prison requires careful adherence to a complex set of rules and regulations designed to maintain order and security within the facility. By understanding and following these guidelines, visitors can help to ensure a safe and positive experience for themselves, the inmates, and the staff.