Sierra County Jail

The Sierra County Jail in California has an inmate capacity of 404. It is a medium-security facility located in Alleghany, California and houses about 187 male inmates. Inmates are also housed at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City and occasionally at the Plumas County Jail. The 70-bed capacity facility has been operational since 1996 and is considered a regional minimum security jail with a capacity of around 162 inmates. The Sierra County Jail in California is located at PO Box 66, Downieville CA. The phone number for the jail is (530) 289-3700 and the fax number is (530) 289-3318. Inmates are housed primarily in Nevada County at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City, and visitation rules can be found on waukeganweb.net or sierracounty.ca.gov. Visitation hours for Sierra County Jail can be found on lewisburg-wv.com . Visiting hours for the Sierra County Jail in California start from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays and 7:30 am to 2:30 pm on weekends. Inmates are allowed one to two visits, but visitation days and hours are at the discretion of individual facilities. The Sierra County Detention Facility is currently closed and does not house inmates. Sierra County Jail in California has a set of non-serious, non-violent, non-sexual criminal offenders who are sent to the jail instead of state prison. Inmates have access to contact and visitation rules, and if they have any issues that cannot be resolved, they should forward the problem to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office. The jail also has values such as promoting human dignity, fairness, and self-worth, but there have been claims of solitary confinement abuse for one inmate who lost 22 pounds over 18 days. Sierra County Jail in California is unique in that it is the only authentic, standing gallows in the state. It was constructed in 1885 and is located at Gallows Road & Courthouse Square. The facility is a medium-security one and inmates are housed primarily in Nevada County at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City, and occasionally at the Plumas County Jail. The mission of the Sierra County Detention Facility is to provide quality and professional services to its public, employees and offenders.

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Sierra County Jail?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Sierra County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 530-289-3700.

There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.

Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.

If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.

Sierra County Jail Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Sierra County?

After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Sierra County for booking.

Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

What is the booking process like at the Sierra County Jail?

Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Sierra County and other California and USA jurisdictions.

If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.

It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.

Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.

What happens after booking?

At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.

If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Sierra County Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.

Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

How long does the Sierra County Jail Booking process take?

Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.

If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.