Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex

County Jail

Last Updated: August 20, 2024
Address
150 W Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110
Beds
919
County
Santa Clara
Phone
408-299-8890
Mailing Address
885 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110

Santa Clara Co Main Jail is for County Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for County - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are seeking to send your inmate money for commissary, one recommended for this facility is TouchPay There is a fee for sending money, see their rates and limitations.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex

You can support your loved ones at Santa Clara Co Main Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 408-299-8890.

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 Santa Clara Co Main Jail is a detention center located at 150 W Hedding St San Jose, CA which is operated locally by the Santa Clara 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. Santa Clara County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, San Jose 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 Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex in downtown San Jose is a critical component of the county's correctional system. The complex is divided into two sections: Main Jail North and Main Jail South. With an annual budget of approximately $37 million, the facility plays a pivotal role in the county’s public safety operations. Each year, the Main Jail Complex receives and processes about 65,000 individuals, many of whom are either cited and released or post bail on their charges. The facility is supported by a dedicated team of 350 badge and civilian staff members who work to ensure the smooth operation of the jail.

The Main Jail Complex is a third-generation correctional facility that employs the "direct supervision" model of inmate management. This modern approach combines architectural design with specialized staff training and a management system that encourages positive inmate behavior. In this setup, a single officer is responsible for overseeing a locked "module" or dormitory that can house up to 64 inmates. Each inmate is provided with a private cell equipped with essential amenities such as a toilet, sink, mirror, and bed. The inmates spend their time in a common day room with tables, chairs, and telephones, where they can eat and participate in various programs. This model allows the officer to lead the module effectively and develop a deeper understanding of each inmate's personality, contributing to a safer environment for both staff and inmates. The Main Jail Facility is designed to accommodate up to 919 inmates and also hosts community events like the Every 15 Minutes and Sober Graduation programs, which aim to prevent teen drunken driving.

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.

For a thorough understanding of Santa Clara County jails and the 92-page Inmate Handbook, also available in Spanish and Vietnamese. This detailed resource provides essential information on various aspects of facility operations, inmate services, visitation guidelines, and other critical elements related to the county’s detention facilities. The handbook serves as a valuable tool for the public and anyone seeking specific information, ensuring they can access accurate and up-to-date details directly from the Sheriff's Office.

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.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in California. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

Visiting an Inmate at Main Jail (Men & Women)

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 8:10 am, 9:20 am, 10:30 am, 2:00 pm, 3:10 pm, and 4:20 pm

  • Saturday, Sunday - 7:00 am, 8:10 am, 9:20 am, 10:30 am, 2:00 pm, 3:10 pm, and 4:20 pm

Visiting Registration/Scheduling

  • Only registered and approved visitors may schedule a visit.
  • New visitors may register online.
  • Visitor registration applications will take 2–4 business days to process.
  • Visitors must have valid government-issued picture identification to register/visit. Accepted ID types are: US Driver’s License or ID Card, Passport, Green Card, Mexican Consulate Card, or US Military ID.
  • Visits can be scheduled by telephone or online.
  • Upon availability, visits may be scheduled up to 21 days from the date of request.
  • Visits made online must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Changes to same-day visits cannot be made online.
  • Scheduled visits can be canceled or changed online. If canceling or changing a visit the same day, the visitor may call the Elmwood Visiting Office during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 08:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:30).

The Main Jail and the Elmwood Correctional Facility both utilize the same Online Visitor Registration (OVR) system, providing a seamless process for visitors to schedule visits at either location. Once a visiting account is established, it can be used for both facilities, simplifying the registration process for frequent visitors. However, visitors should note that the specific visiting rules may vary slightly between the two facilities, and it is recommended that visitors familiarize themselves with the regulations specific to each location. These rules are posted at each facility to ensure compliance and avoid any inconvenience.

Visits at both facilities are managed on a first-come, first-served basis through the OVR system. While every effort is made to honor scheduled visits, they may be canceled without prior notice due to facility emergencies or if an inmate has been relocated to another housing unit. In such cases, visitors are encouraged to reschedule their visit using the OVR system.

Inmates are permitted to have two 60-minute visits per week. Each visit may include up to two adults, with each adult receiving a 30-minute visitation period. For visits involving children, only those who are biologically related to the adult visitor or the inmate are allowed. A reasonable number of children may visit, provided they are under constant supervision and remain well-behaved. To verify the relationship, an original and/or notarized birth certificate is required for each child at the time of every visit. Children who are 18 years or older are considered adults and must have their account registered in the OVR system.

Visitors are required to check in 30 minutes before their scheduled visit. Adult visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification, such as a Driver’s License, Green Card, Passport, Military ID, or Mexican Consulate Card. The identification presented must match the one used during the OVR registration process. Any visitor found to have falsified identifying information will face suspension or barring from the facility, as determined by the Facility Commander or their designee, following California Penal Code 4507.5.

Punctuality is important; if a visitor arrives late, the visit will be canceled. Missing or canceling a scheduled visit will still count as having used one of the inmate’s allotted visits for the week.

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.