Santa Clara County-Elmwood Correctional

You can support your loved ones at Elmwood Correctional on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 408-957-5900.

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 Elmwood Correctional is a detention center located at 701 S Abel St Milpitas, 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, Milpitas 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 Elmwood Correctional Complex in Milpitas is a significant facility within the Santa Clara County Department of Correction, responsible for the care, housing, and retention of approximately 2,600 medium- and minimum-security male inmates. The facility is staffed by 265 correctional officers and 25 administrative support personnel and also benefits from the contributions of numerous volunteers and program staff. The entire Elmwood complex operates on an annual budget of approximately $32 million, underscoring the scale and importance of its operations.

The architectural design of the Elmwood complex varies, with buildings differing in shape and size. Some are constructed for indirect supervision of inmates, while others are designed for direct supervision. Several structures are military-style barracks intended for minimum-security inmates. Although the Elmwood site houses only minimum- and medium-security male inmates, the adjacent women’s facility accommodates female inmates across all security levels, further expanding the facility's role within the county's correctional system.

Elmwood offers a comprehensive range of inmate programs through its Department of Correction's Programs Division, in partnership with various community-based organizations. These services encompass educational, vocational, and treatment classes, which are tailored to meet the needs of the inmates. Programs offered include the Regimented Correctional Program (RCP), Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, General Education Diploma (GED) classes, substance abuse education, occupational training, computer skills, literacy courses, stress reduction techniques, nutrition and personal hygiene education, anger management, trauma recovery, and parenting classes. Inmates interested in participating in these programs can submit an Inmate Request Form or Classification to the Programs Unit.

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.

Medical, dental, and mental health services are also integral to the care provided at Elmwood. Each inmate undergoes a medical screening at the time of booking, with the information being confidentially maintained by the Medical unit to ensure appropriate care. Minimum-security inmates have access to medical services at the Medical Clinic, located near the Processing area. In cases of medical emergencies, inmates are instructed to notify an officer immediately. Additionally, regular pill calls are conducted, and emergency dental care is available upon request. For mental health services, inmates can speak with mental health staff to address any emotional stress related to incarceration, with immediate intervention available for those displaying suicidal tendencies.

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.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. 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.

The Elmwood Correctional Complex continues to focus on providing a secure environment while offering numerous programs and services aimed at rehabilitation and successful reentry into society for its inmates.