Alameda County-Glenn Dyer Detention

You can support your loved ones at Glenn Dyer Detention on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 510-268-7777.

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 at Alameda County-Glenn Dyer Detention so you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Glenn Dyer Detention is a detention center located at 550 6th St Oakland, CA which is operated locally by the Alameda 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. Alameda County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Oakland 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.

Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility Facts

1. The Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility (GEDDF) measures at 234,000 square feet.
2. 20 levels in the high-rise part of the jail.
3. There are six housing floors with two levels on each floor, a main and mezzanine.
4. Due to classification requirements and housing modifications, the maximum housing capacity for double-bunking is 626. Total housing capacity is 834.
5. 576 cells on the six housing floors. 2 cells are on the hospital floor.
6. Cells are minimally 80 square feet.
7. There are two outdoor recreation yards at level 18.
8. Sit down capacity for men's booking Holding tanks: Approx. 155.
9. Sit-down capacity for women's booking Holding tanks: Approx. 50.
10. Jail windows are generally made of tempered glass and lexan plastic or laminated Lexgard (lexan), 9/16ths thick. The tempered glass resists scratches and the lexan is basically the shatter proof part of the window. In Central Control the window is layer upon layer of glass/lexan/glass, etc., to a width of 1 1/2". The window is bullet proof.
11. The outside walls of the jail are 12" thick and are re enforced concrete with steel. The outside walls bear the weight of the building. The walls around the outdoor roof top recreation area are about 10" thick and are also reinforced concrete.
12. Gunnite is sprayed on cement. Gunnite is laid over the outside walls of each cell. In between the gunnite and the reinforced concrete is a Styrofoam type insular substance. The inside cell walls are 100% gunnite.
13. The drop from the top of the building is 176 feet.
14. Each cell has a smoke detector in the evacuator air system.
15. There are three types of smoke detectors in the building:
    • Duct smoke detectors
    • Room smoke detectors
    • Supply Fan detectors
16. Carpeting on the housing unit floors have been removed and replaced with linoleum.
17. The material in the de tox and safety cells is a rubber covered and with sealed with a flexible resin coating.
18. Medical Services have been contracted to Corizon Health Services medical division.
19. Food services are provided under contract by Aramark food service.

Mail Procedures

• Mail will be distributed daily (Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays). Mail will be delivered only to the addressee.
• Incoming mail MUST have the inmate's name AND PFN.
• Incoming mail MUST have the name and address of the sender on the outside of the envelope.
• All mail sent to, or from, any inmate may be opened and inspected by jail staff outside the presence of the inmate involved (except legal mail).
• Incoming mail with any perceived bio-hazard (i.e. lipstick, gloss, perfume/cologne, etc) shall be returned to sender.
• Envelopes and letters containing address labels, stickers, tape, glued surface (homemade cards) shall be returned to sender.
• Items which are considered contraband and will cause the mail to be returned to the sender are envelopes, stamps, and writing materials.
• Sexually explicit drawings on the outside of mailing envelopes will cause U.S. Postal authorities to return the envelope to sender.
• Incoming mail from attorneys or governmental officials will be opened by the jail staff in the presence of the inmate involved.
• Money may be sent by MONEY ORDER or CASHIER'S CHECK ONLY. Personal checks and cash will be returned to sender (refer to money section).
  
  Reading Materials
• NEW Books and Magazines (Limit of six (6) per day) are allowed to receive through the mail (NO HARDBACK BOOKS ALLOWED) - PROVIDED THESE ITEMS ARE SENT DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLISHER OR "ON LINE" BOOKSTORE, such as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, etc. On-line bookstore must have a legitimate website that is verifiable and allows consumers to order directly. Any website that re-directs to another website for ordering is not accepted. PACKAGES MUST BE PROFESSIONALLY LABELED and recognized as an on-line bookstore. Books from private sellers will be returned.
• Envelopes, magazines, and periodicals sent to inmates may not exceed 8-1/2" x 14". Any mail exceeding this size will be returned to sender.
• Inmate newspaper subscriptions must be made directly to the newspaper company by a third party. Cancellation or change of address for subscriptions must be made directly to the newspaper company. Newspapers will then be distributed through regular mail channels. Weekend and Holiday newspapers will be distributed the next working day. Newspapers for inmates no longer in custody will be disposed of by the mail room staff. (Each housing unit receives six daily Tribune newspapers, paid for by the Inmate Welfare Fund).
  
  Photographs
• Photographs may not be larger than 4" x 6".
• A maximum of ten (10) photographs may be mailed to inmates in an envelope at a time.
• Polaroid and negative photographs are not accepted.
• Photographs that are altered or blacked out in any manner shall be returned to sender.
• Photographs or pictures that are pornographic, nude, suggestive, showing gangs, gang tattoos, or hand gestures (signs) are not allowed.

Money
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office takes pride in the services provided to inmates; including meals, library services, and inmate programs. In addition, the Sheriff's Office provides the opportunity for inmates to purchase additional items such as snacks, soups, drinks, stationery, hygiene supplies, medicines, and specialty items for women, to name a few. All proceeds from the sale of these items go directly to the Inmate Welfare Fund. This fund is used to support the numerous programs offered to inmates, as well as televisions, games, recreational supplies, etc.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:

• Deposits may be made by mail or in person. Only cash or money orders will be accepted for deposits on inmates accounts' (NO PERSONAL, PAYROLL, TAX REFUND OR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS OR COINS). Do not send cash through the mail. If depositing money in person, you must have the exact amount. NO CHANGE WILL BE GIVEN. If you have been an inmate within the last six months, you may not deposit money on another inmate's account.
• Visitors must produce valid photo identification (driver's license, military, etc.) and have the inmate's PFN before depositing money on the inmate's account.

HOURS FOR MONEY DEPOSITS
Seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Although you may deposit money 24 hours a day, it is recommended you do so during normal lobby hours from 8:00am to 6:30pm.

Property
Property releases and clothing exchange transactions will be accepted until 11:00 pm at the Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility.

Property release requests forms must be submitted by the inmate and received by lobby personnel prior to the day the visitor will be picking up the property. This usually takes up to seven working days at the GEDDF.

It is required that you provide photo identification when receiving the released property. It is recommended that you call the lobby to ensure the property is ready for pick-up.

Court clothing for inmates will only be accepted at the Lobby within 72 hours of a jury trial, preliminary examination, or if a Court Order has been received. You may only bring a maximum of two sets of clothing. The clothing in the inmate's property must be taken during the exchange. Clothing is exchanged on a one-for-one basis.

All medications are provided to inmates through Corizon Health Services. Lobby personnel will accept prescription glasses, dentures and contact lenses solution in sealed packages. It is recommended that you coordinate with Corizon Health Services prior to leaving items in the lobby (510) 268-7758.

Telephone Calls
Pay phones are available to all inmates daily. However, inmates can only make collect telephone calls.

• In order to eliminate problems associated with 3-way calling, the telephone system in use automatically terminates the call if an attempt is made to connect a third party.
• If you have call waiting, be advised the telephone system in use may terminate your call if the call waiting "click" is heard. The system cannot differentiate between the call waiting "click" and the 3-way calling "click".
• Private citizens can prevent collect calls by having a BLOCK put on their personal phone line. This can be done by contacting your local telephone company.