Find Inmates in Alameda County
Alameda County provides an online inmate locator for searching bookings and releases at local detention facilities. The Sheriff's Office operates Santa Rita Jail and Glenn Dyer Detention Facility, which house arrested individuals throughout the county. You can search the database by name or booking number to find current inmates and view their custody status. The system displays booking details like charges filed, bail amounts, and scheduled release dates when available. Information shown represents the most recent data known to the Sheriff's Office. As individuals move through the judicial process, information may change. California law requires disclosure of booking information, and Alameda County makes this data accessible to the public through their web portal.
Alameda County Jail Quick Facts
Alameda County Inmate Search
The Alameda County Sheriff inmate locator shows people currently in custody. Search by first and last name together. You can also enter a booking number if you have one. The database requires both first and last name for name searches.
Results display full name, booking date, and current housing location. Physical description includes date of birth, height, weight, hair color, and eye color. Charges appear with bail amounts set by the court. The system shows whether someone is at Santa Rita Jail or Glenn Dyer Detention Facility in Alameda County.
You can check a box to show only bookings within the last 24 hours. This helps find recent arrests in Alameda County. Updates happen throughout the day as new bookings occur and releases are processed at each facility.
A CAPTCHA verification appears to prevent automated searches. This security measure protects the system from misuse. You must complete the CAPTCHA before viewing search results.
Understanding Custody Status
Inmates may show a "Pending Release" status in the database. This applies to people housed at Santa Rita Jail and Glenn Dyer Detention Facility who have begun the administrative process required to facilitate their release. This process may take several hours to complete in Alameda County.
Pending Release does not mean the person has left custody yet. Staff must complete paperwork, verify identity, and process personal property. Bond payments need to clear. Court orders must be reviewed. The full release process takes time even after someone qualifies to leave the facility.
Bond amounts can be modified by the court. Release dates may shift based on court orders or time credits earned during custody. Check the database regularly for current status updates in Alameda County.
Why Some Names Do Not Appear
Names of individuals arrested and booked by Alameda County agencies may not appear on the inmate locator in certain circumstances. Government Code section 6254(f) provides exemptions for some records. These exemptions protect ongoing investigations or endangered persons.
The database only shows current inmates. Once someone is released from custody, their name disappears from search results. For historical booking information, you need to request records directly from the Sheriff's Office in Alameda County.
Recent bookings may not appear immediately. The booking process involves multiple steps. Officers must complete intake, enter data, and verify information. Complex cases with multiple charges or holds take longer to process through the system.
Jail Facilities in Alameda County
Santa Rita Jail is the main detention facility. It is located in Dublin. This facility handles most adult male and female inmates. Total capacity exceeds 3,000 beds. The jail includes housing units for different security classifications.
Glenn Dyer Detention Facility is located in Oakland. This downtown facility serves as an intake and short-term housing center. It holds inmates with upcoming court dates in Oakland. The facility connects directly to courthouse buildings. Total capacity is approximately 800 beds at this location in Alameda County.
Both facilities provide medical care and mental health services. Programs include education, substance abuse treatment, and reentry services. Inmates may transfer between facilities based on classification or court schedules. The inmate search shows current housing location for each person.
Requesting Police Reports and Records
You can request police reports from the Sheriff's Office. Online report requests are for the general public only. Law enforcement agencies must submit requests on official letterhead. The Records section is open Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm for most services in Alameda County.
Use one of these methods to request a report. Complete the online form on the website. Fill out the paper form and email it to ACSORecords@acgov.org. Mail the form to 2000 - 150th Avenue San Leandro, CA 94578. Or fax it to 510-667-3970.
You will be notified by telephone when your report is ready for pick-up. Reports must be picked up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The Records section does not mail completed reports in Alameda County.
Contact the Records section at 510-272-6878 for questions about your request. The Administration Office is at 1401 Lakeside Drive, 12th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-4305. Email ACSORecords@acgov.org for general records inquiries.
Online Public Records Portal
Alameda County uses NextRequest for public records requests. This web portal helps you communicate with the Sheriff's Office about what documents you need. All previous requests and responsive documents are viewable online through the portal.
The portal tracks your request status. You receive notifications when staff respond or when documents are ready. You can upload additional information if the agency needs clarification. All communication happens through the secure portal in Alameda County.
The California Public Records Act requires agencies to respond within 10 days. Alameda County may extend this by 14 days for unusual circumstances. The portal shows the expected response date. Some records may be exempt from disclosure under state law.
California Booking Disclosure Law
California law mandates disclosure of specific booking information. Government Code section 7923.610 requires law enforcement to make public arrestee details. This includes full name and occupation, physical description, arrest time and date, booking time and date, location of arrest, factual circumstances, bail amount, release information, and all charges including warrants and holds.
Alameda County follows this statute by providing the online inmate locator. The law took effect January 1, 2023 statewide. Agencies can withhold information only when disclosure would endanger someone or compromise an investigation. This exception applies narrowly and does not allow blanket withholding of booking data.
The California Public Records Act grants broad access to government records. Investigatory files remain confidential during active investigations under Government Code section 7923.600. But basic booking information must still be disclosed even when investigations continue across Alameda County.
Background Checks and Criminal Records
Criminal history records differ from booking logs. The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal history summaries. Access is restricted under Penal Code section 11105. Only law enforcement, authorized agencies, and the subject of the record can request them. Third parties cannot obtain criminal history records.
You can request your own criminal history for $25. California residents must use Live Scan fingerprinting at an authorized location. Out of state residents can submit manual fingerprint cards. The process takes 2 to 3 days for simple records. Complex records may take up to 2 weeks to process at the state level.
You cannot give your criminal record copy to an employer or other third party. California Penal Code section 11142 prohibits this. Penal Code section 11125 prohibits anyone from requiring you to provide your record. Violation of either section is a misdemeanor offense under California law.
Penal Code section 13125 establishes minimum data standards for arrest documentation. This statute specifies what information agencies must record. Personal ID data includes name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, and fingerprints. Arrest data covers agency, booking number, date, charges, and dispositions in Alameda County.
Victim Notification Services
VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. This free service notifies victims about custody status changes. You can register by phone or online. The system sends alerts when inmates are released, transferred, or have court dates. Alameda County participates in VINE.
Notifications come by phone call, text message, or email based on your preferences. You can update your contact information at any time. The service operates 24 hours a day. VINE helps victims stay informed about offender custody status without needing to check databases daily in Alameda County.
Cities in Alameda County
Alameda County includes many cities. Police departments in these cities book arrestees at county facilities. Check the Sheriff inmate locator regardless of which city made the arrest. The county jail system handles custody for the region.
Major cities include:
City police departments maintain their own records for police reports and incident documentation. But all custody records appear in the county system. This centralized approach makes it easier to search for bookings and releases across Alameda County.