Access San Diego Bookings Releases
San Diego booking and release records come from the San Diego County Sheriff Department. The city has over 1.3 million people, making it California's second largest city. Arrests made by San Diego Police Department or county sheriff get processed through county jail facilities. You can look up bookings online using the Who's in Jail database. This system shows current inmates and recent releases. San Diego County Sheriff maintains several detention facilities including the downtown central jail on Front Street. Booking logs update as new arrests process through the system each day in San Diego.
San Diego Quick Facts
San Diego County Jail Bookings
All jail bookings in San Diego get handled by San Diego County Sheriff. This applies to arrests made by any law enforcement agency in the city. SDPD makes most arrests within city limits, but the county sheriff runs the jails. After arrest, the person goes to a county detention facility for booking. The largest jail is San Diego Central Jail at 1173 Front Street downtown.
The Who's in Jail system lets you search for inmates currently held in San Diego County facilities. Access it at apps.sdsheriff.net/wij/. You can search by last name, first name, or booking number. Results show booking date, charges, bail amount, and which facility holds the person. The database covers all detention centers operated by the county in San Diego.
San Diego County operates several jail facilities. Central Jail is downtown and handles most new bookings. Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee houses female inmates. George Bailey Detention Facility in Otay Mesa handles male inmates. Vista Detention Facility serves the north county area. When you search for someone in San Diego, the system will show which facility currently holds them.
| Agency | San Diego County Sheriff Department |
|---|---|
| Main Jail | San Diego Central Jail |
| Address | 1173 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Records Phone | (858) 974-2222 |
| Inmate Locator | apps.sdsheriff.net/wij/ |
Booking records include personal information required under state law. Government Code section 7923.610 mandates public disclosure of full name, occupation, physical description, arrest time and date, booking time and date, arrest location, circumstances, bail amount, release details, and all charges. San Diego County Sheriff provides this data through the online inmate search system.
San Diego Police Department Records
SDPD arrests lead to county jail bookings. The police make the arrest, then transfer custody to the sheriff department. If you need an arrest report from SDPD, that request goes to the police department. Booking records come from the county system in San Diego.
San Diego Police Department has a Records Unit that handles report requests. You can request police reports online through their website. Visit sandiego.gov/police/services/get-police-report to start a request. The records staff will process your request and let you know about any fees. Police reports contain details about the arrest that may not appear in booking records.
When SDPD arrests someone in San Diego, that person will appear in the county jail database once booking finishes. The time between arrest and when the record shows up online varies. Booking takes longer when jails are busy. Check back after a few hours if you do not see someone right away in the San Diego system.
For general questions about SDPD records, call (619) 531-2000. The Records Unit operates Monday through Friday during business hours. Walk-in service is available at police headquarters, but many requests can be handled online or by mail for San Diego arrests.
Release Records in San Diego
Release information shows up in the Who's in Jail system when someone leaves custody. You can see the release date and time for recent departures. San Diego County jails release people for various reasons: bail posted, charges dismissed, time served, or court order.
If the system shows someone as "released," that means they left the facility. The release date tells you when it happened. Some releases are pending, which means paperwork started but the person still remains at the jail. Processing can take hours at San Diego detention centers, especially at busy times. Call the facility if you need to confirm someone's current status.
VINE provides alerts when someone releases from custody in San Diego. Register at vinelink.com using the inmate's booking number. You will get phone, text, or email alerts when custody status changes. This service is free and helps families stay informed about releases from San Diego County jails.
Bail releases show the bail amount paid. OR releases mean released on own recognizance without bail. Time served releases happen when the sentence ends. Each release type appears differently in the San Diego system. The Who's in Jail database updates as releases process throughout the day.
Accessing Detailed Booking Records
The online system shows basic booking info for San Diego arrests. If you need copies of actual booking documents, you request those from the sheriff records unit. Some information requires a formal public records request. The sheriff has a records request process for more detailed files.
California law exempts some records from disclosure. Government Code section 7923.600 protects investigatory files and active case documents. But basic arrestee information listed in section 7923.610 must be disclosed for San Diego bookings. This includes name, charges, booking time, and release status.
You can submit records requests to the San Diego County Sheriff at their main office. Some requests get handled quickly. Others take longer based on what you are asking for. If the records involve ongoing investigations, parts may be redacted or withheld. Call (858) 974-2222 to ask about the process for requesting booking records in San Diego.
Fees may apply for copies of detailed records. Online searches are free. But formal requests with copies of documents can have fees for staff time and materials. Ask about costs when you submit your request for San Diego booking records.
Note: The Who's in Jail system is the fastest way to find current custody status in San Diego.
Other San Diego Booking Resources
San Diego has resources beyond the county jail system. The Superior Court runs a case search at mycase.sdcourt.ca.gov that shows criminal cases. You can look up cases by name or case number. Court records link to bookings when charges get filed in San Diego.
Legal aid groups help people with questions about arrests and bookings. Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers free services for low income residents. Call (877) 534-2524 for help. The Federal Defenders of San Diego at (619) 234-8467 handle federal cases. San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program provides assistance at (619) 231-8585. These groups can help with legal issues related to bookings in San Diego.
For people in San Diego who need help clearing old records, several organizations offer expungement services. The Public Defender's Office has a record clearing clinic. Call (619) 338-4700 to ask about upcoming dates. Community legal clinics throughout San Diego also help with record issues. Check with local groups for scheduled clinic times.
Nearby cities like Chula Vista, Oceanside, and Carlsbad all fall under San Diego County jurisdiction for jail bookings. Arrests in those cities also appear in the Who's in Jail system. The county sheriff handles detention for the entire region, so one database covers bookings from all cities and unincorporated areas in San Diego County.
San Diego County Bookings and Releases
San Diego is in San Diego County. The county sheriff operates all detention facilities in the region. For full details on county jails, facility addresses, visiting hours, inmate services, and additional booking resources, see the San Diego County bookings and releases page.