San Diego Vista Detention Facility

Search for an Inmate in San Diego County

San Diego Vista Detention Facility Information

The San Diego Vista Detention Facility is a 886 bed jail in the city of Vista, San Diego County, California. You can call them 24 hours a day for inmate information at 760-936-0014.

Offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in this county are brought here for booking and processing, and if their crime requires it, are incarcerated until they are either bonded out, are released from custody on their own recognizance, or are ordered to remain in custody until the disposition of their trial.

You can also use the inmate search tool to see this facility's roster of those who have been arrested and are still in custody.

Those who are found guilty and sentenced to a term of less than one year, will do their time in this county. Those sentenced to longer terms will be sent to either the California State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 760-936-0014, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.

It's always a good idea to find out and save the inmate's jail ID number or booking number as you may need this for sending mail or other communication needs. If you can't locate it online, you can call the San Diego Vista Detention Facility at 760-936-0014 to get it.

Phone: 760-936-0014

Physical Address:
325 S. Melrose Drive, Ste. 200
Vista, CA 92081

Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
Vista Detention Facility
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
Vista Detention Facility
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility?

To search for an inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 760-936-0014 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a list of criminal courts for San Diego County and every other county in California. The San Diego County District Attorney also has a helpful website where you can look up an offender's criminal court case online.

The San Diego County Sheriff provides a resource for looking up Active Arrest Warrants for this county.

San Diego Vista Detention Facility Inmate Search

This is a link to all of the city and county jails, and juvenile detention facilities in San Diego County.

The San Diego Vista Detention Facility maintains an average of 886 offenders in custody on any given day. The San Diego Vista Detention Facility has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year San Diego County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 131,780 offenders.

The following charts of San Diego County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the San Diego County Corrections Department, the state of California Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in San Diego County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for San Diego County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

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About the San Diego Vista Detention Facility

San Diego Vista Detention Facility is an 886-bed jail. It does intake functions for both male and female inmates. The address is 325 S. Melrose Dr., #200, Vista, CA 92081. Although renovations have taken place on this jail, it is the oldest jail in this County's system. The phone number for San Diego Vista Detention Facility is 760-936-0014.

Search for an inmate with the Sheriff's Who's In Jail online tool.

There are low-risk to high-risk inmates in this facility, most there awaiting their trials. Some have special needs in terms of psychiatric services. There are also veterans held here, and there is a specific program for them called the Veteran's Moving Forward program which tries to help former soldiers in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs.

Click on these links to research the services through this jail such as Visitation, Mailing, Phone, Money, Bail Bond Instructions, or scroll down to get more information.

If you wish to link to other San Diego County jails, do so below:

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

What is the booking process for the San Diego Vista Detention Facility?

After being arrested, the offender is brought to the San Diego Vista Detention Facility for booking, which is the detailed process of identifying, classifying, deciding on charges, and whether the person will either be released on their own recognizance, allowed to be released on bail, or moved into the jail until their court date.

The first thing every newly arrested person must do is close their mouth. Everything an offender says may be used against them, so the best thing to do is remain silent when questioned about the arrest and what led to it.

These are the steps of booking someone into the San Diego Vista Detention Facility:

  • Personal identification.
  • Mugshot(s).
  • Questions about medical history, mental health, drug and alcohol use, and gang affiliations.
  • Possible DNA.
  • Full body search.
  • Property forfeiture.
  • Free phone call.

Booking can take as little as an hour, or up to 48 hours on a busy weekend or holiday evening, or if the offender is violent, wasted or generally uncooperative. If you have any questions about when you can pay an offender's bond and what the cost will be, call the facility at 760-936-0014.

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Directions / Map to the San Diego Vista Detention Facility
Inmate Bail and Bonding

How do you pay bail for someone who has been arrested in [county_extended}?

When an offender is arrested and brought to the San Diego Vista Detention Facility in Vista for booking, there are several outcomes after being processed.

1. The offender will be released with no bail, promising to return on a specific date to appear before a judge in either Municipal or San Diego County Court.
2. The offender is ordered to remain in jail until their court date.
3. The offender is allowed to be released after paying a specified bond or bail.  Call 760-936-0014 to get the exact amount.

The payment of an offender's bail or bond can take many shapes.

  • If can be paid by cash, money order or credit card.
  • It can be paid using a bail company, licensed to do business in San Diego County.
  • It can be paid by using a residential property in the county as collateral. 

For detailed Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the entire bail process in San Diego County California, check out the San Diego Vista Detention Facility Bail Page.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility? What is the Schedule?

San Diego Vista Detention Facility in-person Social Visits
760-936-0014

Schedule an In-person Visit

  • In-person social visit reservations can be scheduled by calling 760-936-0014 Wednesday through Sunday, during the hours of 6:30am to 6:00pm.
  • Visitation is available 5 days a week, with no visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  
  • A maximum of 3 visitors, including children, are permitted per visit.
  • Minors must be accompanied by a parent, court appointed guardian or other adult having legal custody.
  • Visitors 18 and over must have valid ID.
  • Social visits are free, and 30 minutes in length.

San Diego Vista Detention Facility In-Person Visitation Times

30 Minute Visits
Lower West - Disabled Visitors
Lower West 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Upper West 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
East House 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
North House 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
M2, M3, Medical Isolation
South House 1, 4, 5, 6

60 Minute Visits
South House 2 & 3

DAY TIME
SUNDAY 7:30AM - 10:00PM
MONDAY 7:30AM - 10:00PM
TUESDAY NO VISITS
WEDNESDAY NO VISITS
THURSDAY 7:30AM - 10:00PM
FRIDAY 7:30AM - 10:00PM
SATURDAY 7:30AM - 10:00PM



Schedule a Remote Video Visit

  • Home remote video visitation is available 7 days a week for most housing units.  
  • All Video Calls are free.
  • Video visit reservations can be made by calling 760-936-0014, during the hours of 6:30am to 6:00pm. 
  • Video visits are 30 minutes in length.
  • Visiting schdules can change with no notice.
  • EACH UNIT IS GIVEN CERTAIN TIME SLOTS ON CERTAIN DAYS (click)

Register with Securus online prior to calling to make a reservation.




Scheduling Times for Remote Video Visits - 30 Minute Videos

Units
N1, N4, N5, N6, S1-S6, M2, M3, E2,
E3, E5, LW1, LW2, LW3, UW1-UW6
N3, E1, E4, E6, N2

Register with Securus

DAYS TIMES
DAILY 7:10AM - 10:00PM
DAILY 7:10AM - 10:00PM
DAILY 7:10AM - 10:00PM

San Diego Vista Detention Facility uses Securus Video Connect for Remote Inmate Video Visitation. 



Video Visitation allows 'approved' friends, family members, attorneys and clergy of an inmate to connect with them using their computer, Securus Video Visitation app, or ‘on-site’ kiosk. 

Steps:
Register and/or log in.
Select the facility of your inmate.
Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits.
Schedule your visit.

What is the Cost of a Remote Video Visit?
Costs vary and are subject to change, but generally visits range from $5.00 to $15.00 for a 15 to 30 minute online or on-site video visit.

How do you know if your Inmate will be available during the time you schedule?
The Securus system knows the times that San Diego Vista Detention Facility inmates are available for remote video visits.
It will not allow you to schedule a visit with your inmate if they are not available or the video visitation kiosk(s) in the jail are booked already.
Once you schedule a visit with your inmate they will be notified of the date and time of the visit.

Important Tips:
Your entire visit is being monitored and recorded. Do not say or do anything that you would not want being replayed in court.
You should schedule your visit, in advance, at a time that works best for you.
For best sound quality, use earbuds or headsets.

Quick & Easy Access to Important Information & Help:
Phone: 972-734-1111 or 877-578-3658
Video Tutorial on Registering for Securus Video Visits.
Frequently Asked Questions.
San Diego Vista Detention Facility Pricing.
Securus Contact Information.
iphone app
Android app

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility?


Schedule a Remote Video Visit

  • Home remote video visitation is available 7 days a week for most housing units.  
  • All Video Calls are free.
  • Video visit reservations can be made by calling 760-936-0014, during the hours of 6:30am to 6:00pm. 
  • Video visits are 30 minutes in length.
  • Visiting schdules can change with no notice.
  • EACH UNIT IS GIVEN CERTAIN TIME SLOTS ON CERTAIN DAYS (click)

Register with Securus online prior to calling to make a reservation.




Scheduling Times for Remote Video Visits - 30 Minute Videos

Units
N1, N4, N5, N6, S1-S6, M2, M3, E2,
E3, E5, LW1, LW2, LW3, UW1-UW6
N3, E1, E4, E6, N2

Register with Securus

DAYS TIMES
DAILY 7:10AM - 10:00PM
DAILY 7:10AM - 10:00PM
DAILY 7:10AM - 10:00PM

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility?

How to Deposit Money into an Inmate's Account in San Diego Vista Detention Facility

To deposit money into the account of an inmate in San Diego County, follow these instructions:

  • Create an account with Touchpay Services, a GTL company.
  • Select California.
  • Select San Diego Vista Detention Facility
  • Enter the Inmate ID of your inmate.  This can be found by calling 760-936-0014 or by looking up the inmate's name in the Inmate Search link.
  • Enter your billing information and send money.
  • You can also deposit cash using the kiosk at the San Diego Vista Detention Facility.  To do this you need the Inmate's ID Number and the Facility Locator Number for San Diego County.

For all the information you need regarding making an inmate deposit, what it costs, how much you can send, how long it takes for your inmate to receive funds and more, and to get the Facility Locator Number, check out our Send Money Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility?

All phone calls from San Diego County Sheriff's Department jails are free.

Local, long distance, and international calls are free.

A person can make unlimited phone calls per day.

To give everyone equal opportunity to use the phone, each call will be limited to 15 minutes.

You must first register your inmate with Securus.

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from San Diego Vista Detention Facility

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from San Diego County do the following:

1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.

2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your San Diego County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility, and what can I send them?

San Diego Vista Detention Facility Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The San Diego Vista Detention Facility allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The San Diego Vista Detention Facility also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
Vista Detention Facility
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071



Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
Vista Detention Facility
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071



Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The San Diego Vista Detention Facility allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the San Diego Vista Detention Facility standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
Vista Detention Facility
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

San Diego Vista Detention Facility Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.

All mail is to be shipped to the San Diego Vista Detention Facility:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate Booking #
Vista Detention Facility
Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071


For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility, and what can I purchase?

San Diego Vista Detention Facility Commissary and Money Deposits

Friends and family of inmates in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility can purchase commissary online and have that shipped directly to an inmate.

Commissary items range from snacks to hygeine products to stationary. You can even deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own items.





 

How to Purchase Commissary for an Inmate in San Diego Vista Detention Facility 

Friends and family of inmates in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility can purchase commissary online and have that shipped directly to an inmate.

Commissary items range from snacks to hygeine products to stationary. You can even deposit money so that your inmate can purchase their own items.

To learn everything you need to know about how to purchase commissary for an inmate, and limits to how much you can deposit, check out our Commissary Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility using an Online Messaging Service?

Every San Diego Vista Detention Facility inmate is allowed to send and receive two digital messages per day, each totalling no more than 2,500 text charcters.

Instructions for emailing an inmate

Search for the inmate on Who’s in Jail site using the incarcerated person’s name. To prevent conflicts in spelling, you may search using only the first two letters of the first and last name.
Next, do the Captcha code to verify you are not a bot.

You should see a list with one or more names. Click on the last name of the correct person to view the inmate's page in the Who’s in Jail system
Halfway down the page you will see an envelope icon you can click in order to send a message. Follow the instructions on submitting your email address.
Then open your email account, click on the link and send your message.

How to Email / Text an Inmate in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility

Every San Diego Vista Detention Facility inmate is allowed to send and receive two digital messages per day, each totalling no more than 2,500 text charcters.

Instructions for emailing an inmate

Search for the inmate on Who’s in Jail site using the incarcerated person’s name. To prevent conflicts in spelling, you may search using only the first two letters of the first and last name.
Next, do the Captcha code to verify you are not a bot.

For complete instructions on how to exchange emails with an inmate in the San Diego Corrections system, check out our Inmate Email page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the San Diego Vista Detention Facility have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about San Diego Vista Detention Facility’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 760-936-0014 for further assistance.

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Are there photos of the San Diego Vista Detention Facility? What does it look like?
Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding San Diego County?

San Diego Imperial Riverside Orange
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Search for an Inmate in San Diego County

This facility, known as "San Diego Vista Detention Facility" is also known as San Diego County Jail - Vista Detention Facility.