San Diego Co-Rock Mountain Detention Facility

You can support your loved ones at Rock Mountain Detention on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 619-409-5000.

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 Rock Mountain Detention is a detention center located at 446 Alta Rd Ste 5400 San Diego, CA which is operated locally by the San Diego 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. San Diego County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, San Diego 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.

Located in Otay Mesa, the Rock Mountain Detention Facility (RMDF) is a maximum-security facility that was completed in 2000. For the first 15 years of its operation, RMDF was leased to the federal government and managed by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). In 2016, control of the facility was returned to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Subsequently, renovations commenced in 2019 to modernize the facility, with House 1 being the first area to complete renovations. This newly updated section reopened in July 2023 and is now equipped to house 200 individuals.

Previously known as Detention Facility 8, RMDF was originally constructed in 1991 as a medium-security facility, built in conjunction with the George F. Bailey Detention Facility (GBDF). It mirrors the cell housing units found at GBDF and consists of three housing modules: two with 34 triple-occupancy cells each and one with 32 triple-occupancy cells, providing a total of 300 beds. Although initially designed as a maximum-security facility, it currently houses inmates classified as low to medium security.

RMDF was the first facility in Otay Mesa to implement touchscreen technology for all control functions, along with new high-definition camera systems for enhanced monitoring. The facility features a visitor and information office, a landscaped visit yard for professional visitation, and provisions for each inmate to receive two half-hour supervised outdoor contact visits per week. Additionally, the facility offers a newly refurbished exercise yard that allows inmates at least three hours per week for recreation and exercise, and a redesigned multi-purpose room for drug dependency counseling, religious services, and educational programs.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

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 comprehensive details regarding San Diego County jails and the incarcerated individuals within them, the 33-page SDCS's Department Public Information Plan serves as a valuable resource. This plan provides essential information on facility operations, inmate services, visitation guidelines, and other relevant details about the management of the county’s detention facilities.

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.

Inmates' medical needs are addressed through daily nurse sick calls, weekly doctor and psychiatric sick calls, and medication distribution. More serious medical and dental care is provided at GBDF. Meals are prepared by the kitchen staff at the George Bailey Detention Facility and delivered to RMDF three times per day.