Santa Cruz Main Jail – Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Main Jail is located in Santa Cruz County and is the correctional facility for the region. Know someone locked up at Santa Cruz Main Jail? This page gives you information about everything you might want to know about Santa Cruz Main Jail,such as: Find an inmate at Santa Cruz Main Jail. Find inmate mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Posting bail. Santa Cruz Main Jail intake procedures. Santa Cruz County court information. And much more…

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and stressful situation, not only for whoever goes to jail, but also their friends and family. The goal of this guide is to give you advice and information that you need to make the process less stressful. If you have a question, just ask it, and please leave any feedback or comments that could help others will be welcome.

Do you know someone that has gone to jail and don’t know how to contact them?

Do you know a friend or family member that has been arrested and you don’t know how to locate them?

In order to look up who is in jail at Santa Cruz Main Jail you should go to their website and perform an inmate lookup.

The Santa Cruz Main Jail Inmate Roster has information on people who have been arrested and are in jail, including custody status, bail amount (if applicable), and schedule for visitation. Also, you are able to get information on anybody processed or released within the past 24 hours. Jail inmates are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You’ll be able to find their inmate information faster if you enter the arrestee’s full name, birth date, or arrest number.

If the inmate you are looking for might be in another jail you can check the other California county jails in our California County Jail Guide: List of all county jails in California

A mugshot, also called a jail intake photo, is a photo that the jail takes when you get processed at jail intake. They will take one face photo and a profile picture. Your name and booking number will appear on the photos, and they will be kept on file.

Mugshots of Santa Cruz Main Jail inmates can be searched online, or you can go in person to the Santa Cruz Main Jail. When you search for mugshots online you will need to input the person’s name, and the booking date, if you have it.

Are you trying to figure out what to do in order to get your mugshot erased from the Santa Cruz Main Jail website? This may not be possible, because your mugshot is public record. To get your mugshot removed you must file a Petition to Expunge with the court. What this means is that your arrest record would be sealed, and will not be accessible. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

For more information about getting your mugshot taken down, the different websites with mugshots, and the mugshot removal websites: How To Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

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Obviously, if you are in jail, your only thought is about getting out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, a bail amount will be determined either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. If no bail is set this may mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date.

If you do bail out of jail you are required to agree to go to your court date, and until that date you will not be permitted to travel out of the county.

In most cases, prisoners in the Santa Cruz Main Jail will be given time off in exchange for good behavior when they respect the rules and area a good inmate while incarcerated.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you might be allowed to participate in work release. You will either have to go back to jail each day when you’re finished with work, or you may be permitted to live in a halfway house instead of jail.

Your bail is how much money that you will be required to pay to get out of jail until your court date. The amount of bail that is set depends on how serious your charges are. You will need to post ten percent of the total that was set so you are able to be released from jail. If you don’t show up for your court date, whoever posted your bail will lose all of the bail money.

You need to call the Santa Cruz Main Jail. If you’ve got the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll let you know the bail amount. You can also find out how much their bail is on the jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but usually, its simple to do if you have the money. First, you have to find out if their bail is a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If this is the case, you will not be able to get a bail bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – the jail won’t take checks. When you’ve paid bail, the prisoner will be released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you’ll get the bail money back.

If their bail has been set too high, or you just don’t have the money, you should hire a bail bondsman. Bondsmen usually charge you a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total amount of bail set, and in most cases with a minimum of $100. This money will not be returned to you and bondsmen usually only accept cash. If the bail has been set really high, the bondsman may require that they use assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

To contact a local bail bondsman click here: Bail bondsman

Have you ever hired a bail bondsman either for yourself, a family member or friend? If so, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience and let us know how it worked out for you.

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In California the amount of bail you pay is already set by the California Felony Bail Schedule, but keep in mind, though, the judge or magistrate has the ultimate say on you bail amount. The bail schedule includes every crime included in California and the exact amount of bail for each of the crimes.

• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release
• Get Out For Time Served
• Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Released On House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The jail intake process includes these steps:

• You will be placed in a holding cell. If there are a lot of arrests, it will take a while to get processed.
• You have to answer some questions, like your legal name, street address, date of birth and contact person.
• They’ll also ask you about your mental and medical history.
• You will be given an inmate number.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• They will take your mugshot.
• Any personal property you have will be taken from you and will be stored until you are released.
• You will get to make a telephone call in order to call a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you think you will get released quickly, you might be allowed to skip the jumpsuit and keep wearing your own clothes, otherwise you will have to wear a jumpsuit.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, you should tell our readers about your experience. How long did it take to get processed? How did the guards treat you? Can you share any secrets that will help others to get through the process?

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When you finally post bail, you will get released from jail. The discharge process may take between 15 minutes to all day. So, the quicker you post bail, the sooner you will get out of jail. Also, it might depend on whether or not you’ve been given a bond amount or if a judge must determine the amount of bail to be set. For a minor charge, you will be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have completed your jail sentence and are given a date of your release, expect to get discharged that morning.

If you have a, or if you have to start your sentence, it is highly advisable that you do the right thing and turn yourself into the authorities. In the case of an outstanding warrant, report to the jail reception area, and tell someone that you think they might have an outstanding warrant for your arrest. They will check to see if you have a warrant, and if there is one, you will be taken into custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, go down to the jail at the time and date that the sentence order lists. Be sure that you are not late to report. Be sure to only bring things that are allowed when you go to jail, such as your driver’s license or photo ID, any prescription medication you might take, and the sentencing order from court.

In order to have visitors, inmates must list each visitor’s full name to the jail. Your visitor’s names will be put in a Visiting log for the inmate that requested the visitor. Each visitor will be required to provide acceptable photo identification. Anyone that arrives for visitation late or any visitors that are not approved to visit will be turned away.
Visitation procedures at Santa Cruz Main Jail are always changing, so double-check the jail site before you try to go to visitation.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are collect calls or through a pre-paid phone account. Calls made in jail are generally pricier than regular phone calls. There are certain restrictions about when and how often you can use the phone, but bear in mind that there are a limited number of phones, so all the inmates must share phone time. If you break the rules, phone calls might get cut back or forbidden.

Phone Number: 831-454-2420

All mall sent to inmates has to be sent using the US Postal Service. You must not use any other type of mail or package delivery. You have to write the name, inmate ID, and jail address on the envelope. Don’t mail a package, padded envelope, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with metal inside. Any mail sent to inmates is opened and inspected by the jail administration, and the mail will be sent back to the person who mailed it if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

If you would like to send a letter to an inmate at Santa Cruz Main Jail, use this address:

Santa Cruz Main Jail
259 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Santa Cruz Main Jail
259 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

The mail policy at Santa Cruz Main Jail changes frequently, so be sure to review the site before you send a letter to an inmate.

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If you get arrested, you need to be aware that you still have rights, and an important one is the right to request an attorney. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so make sure to have a friend or family member find a lawyer when you call them. You might be asking yourself ‘why do I need a lawyer?’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, a criminal defense attorney will make sure you know your rights, protect your interests and help you navigate the legal system. The quicker you hire an attorney to represent you and work on your charges, the better.

For more info on how to find an attorney, read: How to Find a Lawyer in Santa Cruz County

If you cannot afford an attorney, you will be given a public defender for a lawyer. The Public Defender has a number of staff such as private investigators, experts in forensics as well as case workers. You should be reassured that Public Defenders are actual attorneys, members of the State Bar and are completely licensed to practice law as an agent of the court.

Have you or someone you know had to use a court appointed attorney? Are you satisfied with how they handled your case and represented you in court?

Santa Cruz County court records are public records and are available upon request. They contain a court case file with a sheet called a docket sheet and all motions, documents, and evidence filed during your court case. You are able to access your court case records using the website, or at the Clerk’s office of the Court.

A Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that manages access to court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath for all court participants, and also read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All records, documents, and evidence related to your court case are maintained at the Santa Cruz County Clerk of Court.

Court costs and court fees are all costs from your case, such as for example filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you can’t afford to pay these fees and have a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees and won’t have to pay them.

The magistrate is the type of judge who presides over your court case. Magistrates are judges that do different tasks, like setting your bail amount, writing arrest warrants, and acting as the presiding judge over preliminary court hearings and detention proceedings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is put together with your background information and as much detail about the defendant’s life and history, which the judge will consider when determining the sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be solicited from the person on trial, the defendant’s family, and in some cases the victim of the crime. Keep in mind that you should ask to have a copy of your pre-sentencing report before sentencing, so you get the chance to correct the mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will then get sentenced. The judge will have several different options when sentencing you, which include community service and probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on the severity of the crime, you will either be locked up immediately, or you could receive a date that you are required to go to jail to serve your jail term according to your sentence.

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Do you want to find out if somebody you know is incarcerated in jail, or has been an inmate in the past?

To find this out you need to visit the jail website and do an inmate search, and search using:

• The inmate’s name.
• Birth date.
• Their approximate booking date.
• and their inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you should call the jail confirm whether they’ve been arrested or not.

If you think you might have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you can check arrest warrants on the Santa Cruz County court website or call the jail. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and ask the officer in charge. Keep in mind that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you should be prepared to get taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, as well as their arrest date, contact the Santa Cruz County jail, either by phone, go there in person, or you can check online. An arrest is in the public record and this information is freely available.

Civil processes are when you get served with legal papers, such as , subpoenas, and arrest warrants. You can access civil process orders by contacting the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All convicted sex offenders have to be registered on the sex offender databases required by the area they live in. Those listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You can access these listings online, but bear in mind that you can’t see the actual address, rather the address block they live on.

Court Records are considered public records, so they are accessible to anyone who requests them. They include a case file that includes a docket and all of the documents and filings filed in the court case. You can access the court records online, or at Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of someone’s criminal past. These databases are all linked and you can track criminal convictions from another state. You can go to courthouse and check in person, or you can check online. It helps to know the county, and if the crime was in a totally different state, you may have to pay for a more comprehensive search.

When you look up someone’s criminal record you will be able to find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for any of the following crimes:

• DUI.
• Drug offenses.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes like assault or murder.
• Theft.

But, when you do a criminal records check, in most cases will not see if someone has had any infractions like moving violations:

• Speeding tickets.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To search for this information, you must do a driving records search.

Have you ever needed to find criminal records? Was it easy? Did you search online or did you have to make a phone call to the courthouse? Was it correct? There are lots of reasons that folks look up criminal records and backgrounds, and your feedback could help other people that are in the same situation.

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Most Wanted

Everyone knows that the FBI has a listing of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Santa Cruz County, the Sheriff has their own list of the most wanted criminals, that you can access online.

FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List

Santa Cruz County Top Ten Most Wanted List: Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of getting locked up in Santa Cruz Main Jail is no fun, eventually you will get used to the routine that is set for you. Inmates get an alarm for wake-up at 6:00am, and then roll call. After roll call you will have breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast you will have to work in the program that has been assigned to you. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Santa Cruz Main Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Santa Cruz Main Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The process for sending money to jail inmates could change, so we suggest that you double check the official Santa Cruz Main Jail site before you send funds to an inmate.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Santa Cruz Main Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Santa Cruz Main Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Santa Cruz Main Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to share your story


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been locked up in Santa Cruz Main Jail? Do you have a family member or friend that is a prisoner there? Have you ever visited a prisoner at Santa Cruz Main Jail?

If so, then we would like you to leave a comment below about it. Write down your jail experience so other people can learn what to expect.

Things you could put in what you write:

• Conditions in Santa Cruz Main Jail.
• Jail layout and facility
• Staff and guards
• Commissary and food
• Visitors
• The other inmates – what are they like?
• Prisoner safety
• Jail gangs
• Inmate programs and activities


Click here to write your review of Santa Cruz Main Jail

Tell Your Story

Everybody who’s been arrested and thrown in jail has a story about it. Why’d you get arrested? Did you experience fair treatment? What happened to you while you were locked up? What about the other inmates? How did going to jail affect your life?

Speak Your Mind

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Want to find someone from jail? Leave a message for them here.

Send a message to Santa Cruz Main Jail

Links and Resources

Main Santa Cruz Main Jail Website
Santa Cruz Main Jail Inmate Search Link
Santa Cruz Main Jail Mugshots
Santa Cruz Main Jail Bail Amount Link

California Bail Schedule

Santa Cruz Main Jail Visitation
Santa Cruz Main Jail Mail Policy
Find an inmate at Santa Cruz Main Jail
Santa Cruz Main Jail Warrant Inquiry
Santa Cruz Main Jail Arrest Inquiry
Send Money to an Inmate at Santa Cruz Main Jail
Santa Cruz Main Jail Employment


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