Main Jail Complex
The Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex is located at 150 West Hedding Street in downtown San Jose. The annual budget for the Main Jail Complex is approximately $76 million dollars. Each year, the Main Jail Facility receives and books about 30,000 persons. Most of those booked are cited and released or post bail on their charges. There are 470 badge and civilian staff assigned to the Main Jail Facility.
The Main Jail Facility uses the "direct supervision” and “indirect supervision” inmate management model. Direct supervision is a concept that combines architectural design, specialized staff training, and an inmate management system based upon positive behavior. In this environment, one officer oversees a locked "module" or dormitory with up to 96 inmates. Each inmate has a cell with a toilet, sink, mirror, and bed. Inmates eat and participate in programs in a common day room area equipped with tables, chairs, and telephones. This scenario allows the officer to be the leader of the module and puts the officer in a position to know and understand the personality of each inmate. Direct supervision units allow for deputies to be readily available to any inmates in the module increasing safety and security for all. The Main Jail Facility is designed to house up to 1,084 inmates.
Visiting an incarcerated person at the main jail
The Main Jail is located at 150 W. Hedding Street, San Jose, California 95110 at the intersection with San Pedro Street. The complex is approximately one block west of North First Street and one block east of Highway 87, in downtown San Jose. If you’re planning to visit an inmate at either the Main Jail or the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Santa Clara County, here’s what you need to know:
The Main Jail and the Elmwood Correctional Facilities utilize the Online Visitor Registration (OVR) system. Visits are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis via the OVR system. Your already established visiting account can be used to schedule visits at either facility. If you don’t have an existing account, you can register online (available 24/7).
The approval process may take up to seven business days to complete. A valid email address must be provided in order for you to receive notification of your application’s approval status. If you do not have a valid email address, call (408) 808-2804, after a seven-day waiting period, to check on your application status. Responses by telephone may be delayed.
Adult visitors must show a current government-issued picture I.D. (Driver’s License, Green Card, Passport, Military I.D., or Mexican Consulate Card) to prove identity. ***The person registered in OVR must present the ID used to register.
A visitor who falsifies identifying information will be suspended or barred from the facility for a period of time determined by the Facility Commander or their designee (California Penal Code 4507.5).
Applications to visit will be denied if
You were in our custody within the past 60 days, excluding those booked and released on the same day.
You have an open or pending court case.
You have been convicted of a felony and served time in state prison. It is a felony to be on jail grounds without written consent from the Commander (California Penal Code 4571).
You were convicted of a misdemeanor within the past 3 years.
You have a No Contact Restraining Order involving the inmate you wish to visit.
You are on probation or parole.
You have an active warrant.
You are currently out on bail for an open or pending court case.
You have previous convictions for violence, assaultive behavior, sexual offenses or offenses committed while in custody.
Any other factor that causes the Sheriff’s Office to deem granting visitation a risk to facility and staff safety and security.
Approval or denial of any visitor is at the discretion of jail administration.
Jail staff cannot legally disclose or provide further information if your application is denied. If any of the above statements apply to you but believe you should be given special consideration, you may write a letter to the Facility Commander.
For consideration at the Main Jail Division please explain the reasons you believe you should be approved. In your letter, please include your full name, date of birth, driver’s license / ID#, your current address, telephone number, and email address, if applicable.”
Address and mail the letter to:
Main Jail Facility Commander
150 W. Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110
Visitors with Felony convictions
If you have been convicted of a Felony or served time in a state prison, it is a Felony to be on jail grounds without the written consent of the Facility Commander (California Penal Code 4571)
To obtain written permission from the Facility Commander send your letter for the Main Jail Division at the address listed above.
In the letter to the Facility Commander, include the following:
- Incarcerated persons (IP’s) name, PFN, and booking number (you wish to visit)
- Your full legal name
- Your date of birth
- Your Driver’s License Number
- Information regarding what have you done since the time of your conviction to correct the issues leading to your incarceration
All visitors must be approved for inmate visiting prior to signing up for visits. Approved visitors may schedule visits up to 2 weeks.
SCHEDULE AN appointment to visit someone in jail
The OVR system will not allow visits to be schedule if:
Visiting privileges have been lost as a result of disciplinary action.
Inmate has a pre-scheduled court date.
Forgotten usernames or passwords may be obtained by requesting the information via email to [email protected]. You must provide your full name, date of birth, driver’s license or ID number AND the date your ID or license was issued.
For More Information, Please Contact
County of Santa Clara | Office of the Sheriff | Custody Bureau
150 W. Hedding Street | San Jose, California 95110
Phone: Monday-Friday (8am-5pm) (408) 808-2804
Visiting times and days:
| MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY | SATURDAY, SUNDAY |
|---|---|
| 8:10 am 9:20 am 10:30 am 2:00 pm 3:10 pm 4:20 pm | 7:00 am 8:10 am 9:20 am 10:30 am 2:00 pm 3:10 pm 4:20 pm |
Visits may be cancelled without prior notice due to facility emergencies or when an inmate has been relocated to another housing unit. If relocation occurs, visitors may reschedule another visit via the OVR system.
Inmates may have two 60-minute visits per week.
Up to two (2) adults may visit. Each adult will receive a 30-minute visits.
Children – must be biologically related to the Adult visitor or the inmate. A reasonable number of children may visit as long as they are constantly supervised and remain well behaved. An original and/or notarized birth certificate is required for each child at the time of each visit.
Children who are 18 years or older will be counted as adults and must have their own account/register in the OVR system.
Visitors must check in 30 minutes before the scheduled visit. Adult visitors are required to present valid government-issued picture I.D. photo identification, (Driver’s License, Green Card, Passport, Military I.D., or Mexican Consulate Card). ***The person registered in OVR must present the ID used to register.
A visitor who falsifies identifying information will be suspended or barred from the facility for a period of time determined by the Facility Commander or their designee (California Penal Code 4507.5).
If a visitor is late, the visit will be cancelled. Missing or cancelling a scheduled visit counts as having a visit.
All visitors must successfully pass through the metal detector. Visitors shall remove all metal items from clothing prior to passing through metal detector. It is recommended to not wear items that may contain metal. This includes, but is not limited to; belt, jewelry (e.g., watches, chains, medals). Any visitor who refuses to comply with the required search procedures shall not be permitted to enter a correctional facility.
Visitors may bring in one car key and if with infant – one diaper, a reasonable amount of wipes and one pre-mixed formula/white milk bottle per child.
Any kind of device that has the capability of audio, video or photography recording and/or cell phone capabilities will not be permitted.
Lockers are available for use with a deposit ranging from .25 to $10). Items not permitted while visiting should either be left in your vehicle or placed in the locker.
Individuals whose visiting privileges have been suspended may write to the Facility Commander and request reinstatement of their visiting privileges. Reinstatement is not guaranteed. Address is located on the OVR system.
Persons caught introducing contraband in the Jail will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and will be permanently banned from visiting at either jail facility.
Inmates and/or visitors who become disruptive, use loud, abusive or obscene language or if information becomes available suggesting that allowing the individual to visit poses a threat to the safety and security of the jail will have their visit terminated and may be placed on visiting privilege restriction.
There is no expectation of privacy in a jail facility. Social visits may be monitored or recorded.
All visitors must wear shoes and clothing that is appropriate for visiting. Your visit will be cancelled, and you will be denied entry into the facility if these rules are not followed. Any questions or clarification of these rules must be directed to the Information Desk Officer.
Length of dresses, skirts (including slit skirts) and shorts not to exceed two inches above the knee.
Clothing shall not expose any part of the torso, back, shoulders, chest or midsection.
Undergarments must not be visible.
Transparent clothing, strapless, halter, spaghetti straps, bare midriff clothing, tank tops, and attire displaying obscene/offensive language or drawings is prohibited.
Visitors must empty the contents of their pockets and remove jackets, coats or sweaters for search.
Buttons and zippers will remain fastened.
Clothing that resembles custody issued inmate clothing will not be allowed.
Law enforcement or military patterned clothing will not be allowed.
Visitor must wear shoes.
Clothing or footwear containing metal should not be worn.
No hats allowed.
Visitors must present medical verification for any internal metal hardware.
No medical attire (for example scrubs) will be allowed.
No cell phones are allowed into the facility.
Anything else deemed inappropriate by the Facility Commander or his/her designee will not be allowed
- Attorneys and law enforcement officers may visit at any time and do not have to pre-scheduled their visits.
- Attorneys may request and must gain prior approval from the Facility Commander to bring electronic devices (laptop, cellphone, tablet, i-Pod, etc.) into the jail required for their client’s case.
Hospital visits will only be approved on the seventh day of hospitalization. Hospital visits must be scheduled at the Main Jail North Lobby. If approved, a visit pass will be issued, taken to the hospital and presented to the assigned Hospital Deputy.
Special visits may be allowed for hospitalized inmates who are considered to be in grave condition, with the approval of the Facility Commander or Assistant Division Commander.
In addition to general rules for visiting, the following rules apply to visits occurring in hospitals
All visits must conform to the hospital’s regular visiting hours and policies
Only two visitors are allowed at a hospital visit for the duration of 30 minutes.
Two visits per week are allowed, Sunday through Saturday.
Inmates cannot receive items of any type from social visitors.
Any deviation from the above rules requires Watch Commander approval