Jail / Custody

The jail is located at:

1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

When traveling on Highway 101 north or south of San Luis Obispo, take the Morro Bay/Highway 1 exit, following the signs to Morro Bay. Make a right on Santa Rosa/Highway 1 and proceed three miles north of San Luis Obispo. Turn left on Kansas Avenue and follow Kansas Avenue until you reach the jail which is the last building on the left.

Please call the Records Department at (805) 781-4588.

Staff is not allowed to take any messages over the phone or through the reception window. Messages may be delivered during a regular visit, through an attorney or bail agent, mail correspondence, NCIC message, or an email sent to [email protected].

Telephones are available to inmates for outgoing collect or automated advance pay calls only.

To set up an automated advance pay account so that you can receive phone calls from an inmate at the jail you will need to create a new account at NCIC. To create an account online, go to https://account.ncic.com/Registration or call 1 (800) 943-2189 available 24 hours a day.

To place or remove a block on your phone number, call NCIC (the phone service provider) at 1 (800) 943-2189.

Additionally there is a prompt that allows you to block any future calls from our facility by pressing 3.

Generally, phones are available for inmates to use between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM. Phone times may be restricted for various reasons throughout the day.

On Site Visiting – Appointments are required to visit any inmate. To register and schedule appointments online, click here.

Remote Video Visitation – To schedule a video create an account online at https://videovisit.ncic.com

Onsite Visiting – You can make an appointment no more than 7 days in advance, but no less than 48 hours prior. To make an appointment online, click here.

Remote Video Visitation – Visitors should create accounts and schedule appointments online at https://videovisit.ncic.com

You can check-in no later than 45 minutes prior to the visiting time for which you have scheduled an appointment. It is recommended you arrive at least 60 minutes prior.

An inmate may have 2 one-hour on site visits per week. The visiting week is Sunday through Saturday. There is no limit on the number of Remote Video Visits each week.

Yes, that is one of the options to visit an inmate.  The cost for video visits is $0.19 per minute.  Any public visit with an inmate is monitored and recorded.

All visitors must be approved prior to any video visits and comply with rules of use.

Visitors also must have a smartphone (app available in the Apple App Store or Google Play store) and data service, or a computer/laptop with a camera, speaker and microphone, and high speed internet.

All visitors over the age of 18 must show a valid government-issued photo identification card. The following are acceptable: Driver’s license, DMV identification card, a current military identification card, a current passport, or a valid immigration identification card. Visitors without acceptable identification will not be allowed to visit. Any person under the age of 18, unless the legal spouse of the inmate, must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For general visiting, only one adult per person is allowed into visiting at a time. Children may accompany the adult.  For inmates housed on the Honor Farm, up to three people may visit at one time.

Once an inmate is placed in a housing unit, he may receive visitors during regularly scheduled visiting times. All visitors must come dressed appropriately. Purses, backpacks, strollers, cell phones, smart watches and other personal property will not be allowed inside the visiting areas. A complete list of visiting rules is available at the jail.

On-site visiting hours for the men’s jail are as follows (visiting time for protective custody inmates only are listed in bold):

Sunday-8:00, 9:00, and 10:00am, 12:00, 1:00, and 2:00pm

Monday-No Visits

Tuesday-8:00pm and 9:00pm

Wednesday-No Visits

Thursday-12:00, 1:00pm

Friday-No Visits

Saturday-12:00, 1:00, and 2:00pm, 8:00 and 9:00pm

Male Honor Farm Visiting:

For information, please click: Honor Farm Hours & Rules, or you may call (805) 781-4600.

Once an inmate is placed in a housing unit, she may receive visitors during regularly scheduled visiting times. All visitors must come dressed appropriately.  Purses, backpacks, strollers, cell phones, smart watches and other personal property will not be allowed inside the visiting areas.  A complete list of visiting rules is available at the jail.

Visiting hours for the female jail are as follows (visiting time for protective custody inmates only are listed in bold):

Sunday -8:00 and 9:00pm

Monday- No Visits

Tuesday- 12:00pm, 1:00pm

Wednesday- No Visits

Thursday-8:00 and 9:00pm

Friday- No Visits

Saturday- 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00am

Female Honor Farm visiting is:

For information, please click, Honor Farm Hours & Rules, or you may call (805) 781-4600

Visiting may be restricted for disciplinary or medical reasons. Call (805) 781-4600 and speak with a correctional technician to verify whether a particular inmate may have restrictions.

Yes. If you are on parole or formal probation, have a pending or past felony court action, or have been in custody during the prior 6 weeks, you will need approval to visit. For more information, contact the jail at (805) 781-4600.

Staff is not allowed to take any messages over the phone nor through the reception window. Messages may be delivered verbally during your scheduled visit, through an attorney or bail agent, mail correspondence, NCIC message or email sent to [email protected].

You can now send messages to inmates at San Luis Obispo County Jail which is quicker, easier and cheaper than sending letters through the mail. You can fund your Messaging with your current NCIC account or if you don’t have an  account you can go to www.NCIC.com and set one up. Messages are $0.25 each. There is no limit to how many messages can be sent to the inmates and they receive them instantly.

All incoming mail must be addressed as follows:

INMATE NAME & IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

No More than 5 books.

Paperback books (no hardback books), magazines, newspapers, and periodicals are permitted if, prepaid, sent directly from the distributor or non-retail outlet and delivered by the U.S Postal Service. Any book or magazine which contains obscenity, nudity including exposed genitalia, buttocks or female breasts, and depictions of sexual acts, items relating to gambling, or material tending to incite violence, racism, riot, arson or any other crime will not be accepted into the jail.

The following items are not permitted in the County Jail and will not be accepted if sent through the mail:

• Letters containing more than 4 pages of printed or photocopies 8 ½ x 11 pages including photographs and internet pages
• Photographs larger than 4″ x 6″
• Instant (Polaroid) photographs
• Photos or pictures depicting nudity, including exposed genitalia, buttocks or female breasts, and depictions of sexual acts.
• Photos or pictures with sticky backings
• Embossed or raised-surface on letters or envelopes
• Publications containing or promoting obscenity, murder, arson, riot, racism, violence, or gambling
• Magazines, books, or periodicals not delivered through the mail from the distributor or non-retail outlet.
• Hardback books
• Used books
• Envelopes larger than 8 ½” x 11 ½”
• Greeting cards
• Heavyweight card stock
• Books larger than 6″ x 10″ x 2″
• Any type of sticker, glitter, glue, tape, whiteout or paint attached to an envelope or its contents, including photo stickers
• Letters or envelopes with any perceived biohazard, e.g. lipstick, lip impressions, gloss, perfume, etc.
• Cash, personal checks, money orders not issued by the U.S. Postal Service, two-party checks and Welfare/Social Security checks
• Postage stamps, blank greeting cards, envelopes or writing paper
• Packages of any type (without written approval of a correctional sergeant)
• Food or medication
• Staples and Paper clips
• Mail correspondence between two inmates oat the San Luis Obispo County Jail.

Inmate mail containing any of the items listed above will result in the entirety of the parcel being withheld regardless if other items are approved.

You may appeal this decision by submitting a written appeal within ten (10) business days which includes the date the item in question was withheld, your name, and the reason you disagree with the decision. Your appeal must be sent certified mail to: SLO Sheriff’s Office Inmate Mail Appeal, 880 Oklahoma, San Luis Obispo, CA. 93405.

Yes, save yourself the price of a stamp and receive same day delivery by writing a letter and emailing it to [email protected] instead of mailing a letter. In the subject line of the email write inmate Last Name, First Name and Inmate Identification Number.

For example: Doe, John #400111

RULES:

· Money orders still must be sent via the Postal Service.

· Acceptable attachments: JPEG, GIF or BMP image formats and PDF, TXT or DOC(x) document formats. We will NOT accept videos or non-standard file formats.

· No more than 3 emails per sender, per day

· No more than 6 pages per email

· No manuals, publications, song lyrics or memes

Sometimes it takes a while for the arresting agency to transport an individual to jail. Once they arrive at the jail, it can take between 30 minutes and several hours to book them, depending on the circumstances.

Click: Who’s In Custody or call the jail at (805) 781-4600 and give the last name, then first name of the person you believe is in custody and we will check to see if they are. We cannot give information on someone NOT in our custody.

Bail is the full amount listed for the crime. A bond can be posted in lieu of bail through a licensed bail bonds agency at a cost which is a percentage of the bail.

Bail is an amount set by the court for a specific charge, with higher amounts corresponding to the severity of the crime.

Unless an inmate has a hold or has a “No Bail Status,” bail may be posted by paying to the jail the full amount in U.S. currency, cashier’s check, official bank check, certified check, or U.S. Postal Service money order made out to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. Personal checks or credit cards are not accepted. To post a bond as bail refer to your local telephone book for a list of bail bond agencies. Bail for out-of-county warrants may be posted in the same manner as listed above. Bail releases may take longer if the inmate has been moved to a housing unit. For bail information on an inmate currently in custody call (805) 781-4600.

Generally, a person meeting the jail’s criteria is released on fresh misdemeanor charges with a promise to appear in court on the date specified on their release paperwork. No bail payment is required.

Any person who was arrested for being under the influence or displays symptoms of being under the influence must remain in custody a minimum of 4 hours from arrest time, or longer if necessary until they are deemed sober. All other Cite Releases will be processed as soon as possible.

Persons who are eligible to be Cite Released after dark are required to have a ride waiting at the jail prior to release, otherwise they stay in jail until daylight. Persons posting bail are released as soon as possible and are expected to make their own transportation arrangements.

Newly arrested persons are required to be arraigned within 48 hours of their arrest, not counting weekends and holidays. If they are Cite Released or bail out, a future court date is set.

After release from jail: to receive text or email reminders for upcoming court dates visit: Court Reminders

If you have a court order to be booked and released, or you have been issued a citation in lieu of arrest for a recordable offense that requires under California Penal Code Section 853.6 you to be booked and released prior to your scheduled court appearance.

The San Luis Obispo County Jail offers two options for this process. Either process will require that you bring:

• Court paperwork or
• CHP 194 form or the equivalent from another agency
• Copy of your citation

Option #1
You can come to the San Luis Obispo County Jail at any time to be booked and released. This process involves coming into the jail facility and could take up to 3 hours.

Option #2
You can make an appointment to be booked and released. Appointments are from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the County Jail Honor Farm. This process will take approximately 30 minutes and you will not be required to enter the jail facility.

If you chose Option #2, you MUST make an appointment. No walk-ins will be accepted. To make an appointment, call (805) 781-4640 anytime and leave a message. Your call will be returned.

Please fill out our secure, HIPAA Compliant Jail Health Form to relay health information to jail staff.
(formulario de información de salud de la cárcel)

For URGENT health needs, please contact Jail Booking at 805-781-4600 and dial “5-5-0” to report your concern.

As of February 1st 2019, Wellpath is the Contracted Health Care Provider at the San Luis Obispo Jail. The team consists of medical, mental health, dental and administrative professionals, as well as the Sheriff’s Chief Medical Officer and staff.

Please fill out Wellpath’s Authorization for Use or Disclosure of PHI*

*Due to privacy laws defined by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, patients are required to give permission to have health information shared, except in special circumstances. 

If an inmate is still in custody, we are not permitted to release any medical records to that inmate without a subpoena. Sheriff’s Office Custody policy prohibits inmates from having their own medical records while in jail. This is because of safety and privacy concerns. For example, an inmate may be at risk for their protected health information being exposed or discovered by other inmates.

Mail :

Wellpath Medical Records
1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Or, for faster service, fax to (805) 781-5342

Once the request is received, the medical records release clerk has 15 days to respond with medical records.

The jail will not release court appearance information. For court appearance information, dial (805) 781-5143 or visit the court’s website at www.slocourts.ca.gov and click on Calendar, Criminal 5 day calendar.

After release from jail: to receive text or email reminders for upcoming court dates visit: Court Reminders

You can call the jail at (805) 781-4600 to find out the inmate’s release date. Scheduled releases of inmates who have served their time take place in the morning between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM. Inmates serving 3 days or less are released 24, 48, or 72 hours exactly in direct correlation to the time they checked in. Inmates who have been released by the courts are processed as quickly as possible. Delays in obtaining paperwork from the courts will slow the release process and can take several hours.

Transportation dates and schedules are not released to the public for security reasons. Generally, inmates are transported to other counties within 5 days of being time served on local charges.

Parole holds are monitored by state parole agents who determine if a parolee will be sent back to prison, or released. The Probation Department can also place holds. Holds are updated upon notification from these agencies.

Transportation dates and schedules are not released to the public for security reasons. Inmates sentenced to prison are transported on various days once their paperwork has been completed.

Money may be deposited on an inmate’s account in person at the Kiosk in the jail lobby or online at www.touchpayonline.com. Funds received in the mail must be in the form of cashier’s certified check, official bank checks or U.S. Postal money order. Cash will not be accepted through the mail.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Aramark and TouchPay, to make ordering commissary goods and depositing funds into an inmate’s account more secure and convenient. Inmate accounts allow individuals to purchase commissary products, and purchase telephone debit minutes. Previously, friends and family members who have loved ones in jail could only make deposits in person at the County Jail. Now, anyone wishing to make a deposit to an inmate’s account may use the following options 24 hours a day, seven days a week: *Call (866) 232-1899. *Go online to http://touchpayonline.com. You must register an account first. *In person, at the TouchPay lobby kiosk at the San Luis Obispo County Jail. *Friends and family must use the facility number 293405 to ensure funds are properly applied to an inmate’s account. Funds will be available within 24 hours after deposit. There are applicable TouchPay fees for all deposits: $2.95 for deposits up to $200, and $3.95 for deposits greater than $200. Through the partnership with Aramark, friends and family may also purchase pre-packaged, commissary goods for their loved ones on the Aramark’s iCare website found at the following: https://shop.icaregifts.com/

Inmates may release personal property and money, excluding needed clothing. Inmates who are sentenced to state prison may release all their property, including clothing. Incoming property or clothing must be initiated by the Inmate and pre-approved by a Correctional Sergeant.

No.

Dial: (877) 411-5588 or call the jail at (805) 781-4600 and choose option #5 and then option #6 to be transferred directly to VINE. Or access VINE through their website.

Yes, as long as only one party is in custody.

You must make all arrangements, including obtaining the marriage license, an Affidavit of Inability to Appear, and the Officiant to perform the ceremony.

You can get the packet of forms entitled “Clerk’s Checklist for Marriage License When Either Applicant Cannot Appear” from the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, located at 1055 Monterey Street, Suite 120, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 (805) 781-5080, or their North County office location at 5955 Capistrano Avenue, Suite B, Atascadero, CA 93422. Only the marriage license application is available online at www.slocounty.ca.gov/clerk.

The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder has a list of certified Officiants.

Yes, the inmate must fill out and submit an Inmate Request Slip for approval at least 14 days prior to the requested date for the ceremony. The inmate must have one hour of visiting available for the ceremony. The inmate will provide the Correctional Sergeant with the names and telephone numbers of all involved parties for approval notification.

In an attorney room in visiting at the jail, or you may be able to obtain a court order to be married in a courtroom at the courthouse.

The Officiant performing the ceremony, the intended, and one witness will be the only visitors allowed.

No physical contact or exchanging of rings is allowed. Cameras, cell phones, and other items not normally allowed in the jail are prohibited.

Upon approval, the Correctional Sergeant, or their designee, will notify all parties involved of the date.

What is PREA, and what is the Sheriff’s Office Policy on PREA?

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), is a law enacted in 2013.

The Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance with regard to sexual abuse and sexual harassment in this County Jail facility and will take appropriate affirmative measures to protect all inmates from sexual abuse and harassment and to promptly and thoroughly investigate all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.  An administrative investigation, criminal investigation or both shall be completed for all allegations of sexual abuse and sexual harassment (28 CFR 115.22).

All staff shall accept reports made verbally, in writing, anonymously or from third parties and shall promptly document all verbal reports. All reports will be investigated.

Reports may be made to the Jail directly at:

1585 Kansas Ave, San Luis Obispo, California, 93405 or by calling 805-781-4600.

More information can be found at the following sites:

PREA is published as Title 28, Part 115, Code of Federal Regulations and is available at:  http://www.federalregister.gov.

SLO County Jail PREA statistics:

• 2015
• 2016

SLO County Jail PREA final facility audit reports:

• 2017  Main Jail
• 2017  Women’s Facility
• 2017  Honor Farm

SLO County Jail PREA annual reports:

• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023

PC 10008 In-Custody Death Reporting

The following reports of in-custody deaths are posted pursuant to California Penal Code §10008:

08/06/2023 – Brett William Douglass, age 46, Hospice Care at Grand Villa Congregate Living Health Facility, Fresno County

§10008. (a) When a person who is in custody dies, the agency with jurisdiction over the state or local correctional facility with custodial responsibility for the person at the time of their death shall, consistent with reporting requirements pursuant to Section 12525 of the Government Code, post all of the following on its internet website:

(1) The full name of the agency with custodial responsibility at the time of death.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office

(2) The county in which the death occurred.

Fresno County

(3) The facility in which the death occurred, and the location within that facility where the death occurred.

Grand Villa Health Facility / Hospice Bed

(4) The race, gender, and age of the decedent.

WHT / Male / 46

(5) The date on which the death occurred.

August 6, 2023

(6) The custodial status of the decedent, including, but not limited to, whether the person was awaiting arraignment, awaiting trial, or incarcerated.

Post Arraignment Pre-Trial

(7) The manner and means of death.

Natural / Terminal Illness

(b) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the information shall be posted for the public to view on the agency’s internet website within 10 days of the date of death. If any of the information changes, including, but not limited to, the manner and means of death, the agency shall update the posting within 30 days of the change.

(2) If the agency seeks to notify the next of kin and is unable to notify them within 10 days of the death, the agency shall be given an additional 10 days to make good faith efforts to notify next of kin before the information shall be posted for the public to view on the agency’s internet website.

Notified next of Kin