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Vista Detention Visitation Center

County Jail

Last Updated: March 20,2024


Visitation Hours

Vista Detention - Visitation

Times and days are subject to change without notice

  • Monday 8:30 am - 4 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am - 6 pm
  • Thursday 9 am - 4 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 10 am - 4:30 pm

This facility may also have a video visitation option, please call 760-936-0014, and ask for the "visiting room CO on duty" for more information, alerts, or rule changes.

General Visitation Information

Vista Detention Facility (VDF) - Visitation

The Vista Detention Facility now offers Home User video visitation for most housing units. With video visitation, you can visit remotely using a computer with a web camera connected to the Internet. Video visits at the facility will be 20 minutes in length. There is no visitation on Wednesdays. All other days and times may vary according to the housing unit.

https://www.sdsheriff.net/detentionfacilities/visit_vdf.html - For Units times

Required Identification

Only those visitors with the following types of valid photo identification shall be allowed to visit inmates in the custody of the Sheriff:

  • Driver’s license
  • Federal, state, local government identification card (any state)
  • Military identification
  • Passport
  • U.S. Immigration identification (including visas)
  • Border crossing card issued by the United States Department of Justice
  • Current high school identification for children who do not possess a current California driver’s license or California I.D. card
  • Matricula Consular ID card issued after April 22, 2002 by the Consul General of Mexico

A maximum of 3 visitors (including children) may visit an inmate at any one time. Minors must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

Visit Reservations

Same day visits (up to two hours prior) and next day visits may be made online or by telephone. Access the San Diego Sheriff’s eVisit through “Who’s in Jail” or call the telephone number listed on the facility visit page above. Note: East Mesa Reentry Facility and Facility 8 Detention Facility do not allow same day visits.

Additional visitors can only be added at the time of arrival. Visits will not be scheduled if the inmate has been previously scheduled for court on the same date.

When preparing to schedule a visit, please have the following information ready for all visitors.

  • Full name
  • Identification number
  • Date of birth
  • Current home address
  • Telephone number
  • Relationship to the inmate

While we attempt to honor all visit reservations, visits may be changed or cancelled without notice. Also, changes in the inmate’s housing assignment may automatically cancel a scheduled visit.

General Rules for Visiting Inmates

All visitors must check in together one hour before the scheduled visit and are required to present valid photo identification. If a visitor is late, the visit may be cancelled.

Walk-in visitors will be accepted, on a space available basis, as long as the visitors check in one hour before the visit time. Due to security reasons, East Mesa Reentry Facility and Facility 8 Detention Facility do not accept walk-in visitors.

Cancellations must be made in person at any of the Sheriff’s detention facilities with valid photo identification.

Inmates have the right to refuse visits at any time.

There is no expectation of privacy in a jail facility. Social visits may be monitored or recorded.

Visitors that have been incarcerated within the past 90 days shall not be permitted to visit without Watch Commander consent.

If you have previously been convicted of a felony and served time in state prison, you may not enter the grounds of a county jail without the permission of the Facility Commander. That permission should be obtained in writing before attempting to schedule a visit. Entry to the facility grounds without such permission is a felony (California Penal Code §4571).

Rules for Las Colinas Detention & Reentry Facility

Due to the privilege of having contact visits at this facility, the following additional visit regulations must be observed:

  • Nothing is to be brought into the facility except identification and car keys. If visitors would like to purchase vending items during the visit, a VISA type credit card is required and may also be brought into the visit area.
  • The following items are specifically prohibited: purses or bags, diaper bags, wallets, cell phones, recording devices, toys, food or beverages, pets, firearms, knives, or other weapons, drugs or alcohol, cigarettes/electronic cigarettes, and lighters (exceptions regarding a diaper and formula may be permitted upon approval).
  • Physical contact during visits is limited and hands must remain visible at all times (refer to security staff at the facility for specific contact regulations).

Rules for Facility 8

As of April 9, 2015, Facility 8 has been offering video social visitation for all of its housing units. Visitors have the option of conducting their visits from a terminal at the Las Colinas Detention & Reentry Facility in Santee or by using a home-user option offered by Securus. Fees apply for home-video visitation. Video visits are 30 minutes in length.

Hospital Visits

Occasionally, inmates may be admitted to hospitals for medical treatment. Special visits may be allowed for hospitalized inmates who are considered to be in grave condition. These special visits require the approval of the watch commander. Persons wishing to visit a hospitalized inmate must check at the appropriate facility and register for the visit. The watch commander will be consulted concerning the inmate’s suitability to have visitors. If the visit is approved, a visit pass will be issued, which can be taken to the hospital and presented to the assigned Deputy or Guard. In addition to normal visiting guidelines, the following rules apply to visits occurring in hospitals:

  • All visits must conform to the hospital’s regular visiting hours and policies
  • Only two visitors are allowed at a hospital visit for the duration of 30 minutes.
  • Two visits per week are allowed, Sunday through Saturday.
  • Inmates cannot receive items of any type from social visitors.
  • Any deviation from the above rules requires Watch Commander approval.

Visits for inmates admitted to the Tri-City Medical Center Hospital Guard Unit are subject to approval of the watch commander at the Vista Detention Facility.

Media Access to Persons in Custody

News media representatives have no greater right of access to detention facilities or inmates, than any other member of the public. A visit by news media personnel shall be considered a social visit, not a professional visit. The Public Affairs/Media Relations office does not process requests for interviews.

  • Visit the “Who’s in Jail” page of the Sheriff’s Department website.
  • Search the inmate’s last and first name.
  • A new page will open if the person is in the custody of the Sheriff’s Dept.
  • Note the facility and housing area location of the inmate. That location will determine which days and times social visiting is permitted. Click “Visit Schedule”immediately under the inmate’s housing location, and you will be taken to the visit schedule for that facility.
  • You may go to the facility and attempt the visit, however you may wish to correspond with the inmate first to be more certain the interview will be accepted by the inmate.
  • To correspond with the inmate, click the “Email this inmate” icon on the inmate’s page in “Who’s in Jail” and follow all the directions to complete the message.
  • If the inmate opts to accept the visit, that visit shall be counted as a social visit for that day, just like any other social visit.
  • With the inmate’s permission, the visit may be tape recorded or videotaped from the public access portion of the visit area.
  • Inmates have two social visits per week. To find out if an inmate has available social visits for the week, please contact the Detentions Information Office of the Detention Facility.
    • George F. Bailey Detention Facility – (619) 210-0385
    • East Mesa Reentry Facility – (619) 210-0334
    • Facility 8 Detention Facility – (619) 210-0327
    • South Bay Detention Facility – (619) 213-1433
    • Las Colinas Detention & Reentry Facility – (619) 402-1312
    • Vista Detention Facility – (760) 936-0014
    • San Diego Central Jail – (619) 610-1647

When conducting an inmate visit for media purposes, please observe the following:

  • You will generally have 30 minutes with the inmate.
  • While interviewing the inmate, please make sure other inmates are NOT included in the videos or photographs.
  • At most facilities, your interview will be through a visit window. You will not have face-to-face access and will be unable to equip the inmate with a microphone.
  • Once you have scheduled a visit and the inmate has accepted your visit, call the detention facility to inform the watch commander that you are arriving with TV equipment which will be subject to search upon your arrival.

Visiting Inmates at Vista Detention Facility (VDF) - San Diego Co.

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 Vista 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 San Diego Sheriffs Department. The on-duty supervisor may cancel visits without notice due to circumstances within the jail.

Visitation Rules

County - Rules by type

The Vista Detention Facility (VDF) - San Diego Co., located in Vista, 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.