Alameda County Inmate Search
An arrest is defined as the taking of a person into custody in a manner authorized by law. Arrests in Alameda County, California, may be carried out by a private person or peace officer when someone commits a crime or public offense. Following an arrest or incarceration, members of the public may access information about the arrestee by performing an Alameda county inmate search. This information is usually contained within Alameda County California Public Records and are usually accessible to the public unless otherwise specified by state law.
Persons arrested in Alameda County may be booked by the police and required to appear in court to answer for an offense. If the court approves a term of incarceration, the offender will serve time in county jail so long as the sentence is below a year. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office manages the county jail. However, if the sentence is longer (above a year), the offender's confinement will occur in a state prison managed by the California Department of Corrections.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Alameda County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
Alameda County crime and incarceration statistics can be pulled from the Jail Profile Survey or Jail Population Trends dashboard provided by the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). In 2021, the Alameda County jail recorded a daily average of 2,160 inmates. Of this number, 133 were the total sentenced (123 for felonies and 10 for misdemeanors), while 2,027 were the total unsentenced (1881 for felonies and 146 for misdemeanors). Criminal offenses with the highest sentencing rates were felonies.
Compared to the 2020 incarceration statistics, which revealed an average daily population of 2,076, the 2021 incarceration statistics represented a 3% increase in the county's jail population.
Alameda County Prison System
The Alameda County Prison System consists of the Santa Rita Jail (SRJ). It is described as the third-largest detention facility in California and the fifth-largest in the United States of America based on inmate count. The jail holds approximately 4,000 inmates (the actual BSCC-rated capacity for the SRJ is 3,601), has 18 housing units, and is operated by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.
The Santa Rita Jail has four primary functions:
- Receiving and processing arrested persons
- Providing pre-trial detention
- Providing housing for locally sentenced prisoners
- Holding inmates en route to a state prison or another jurisdiction
How to Find an Inmate in Alameda County
Inquiries related to finding an Alameda County inmate can be made to the office of the Alameda County Sheriff at (510) 272-6878. Requesters must provide the following information to aid the search for the desired inmate: the inmate's full name, personal file number, date of birth, sex, or date of arrest. Alternatively, the public can search the county sheriff's online inmate database for information.
How Does an Alameda County Inmate Search Work?
Requests for Alameda County inmate information should be sent to the county sheriff's office. Typically, a request can be made in person or by phone call under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), the law that allows public access to such government records. Alameda County inmate information includes:
- Full name
- Mugshot
- Arrest and booking date
- Charge
- Bail amount (if applicable)
- Status (sentenced or unsentenced)
- Date of birth
- Physical attributes (hair color, eye color, weight, height, etc.)
- Arresting agency
- Housing unit
- Release date
Where to Find an Alameda County Inmate Locator
The Alameda County inmate locator is available on the county sheriff's website. However, the information provided is restricted to inmates in the county's detention facility. Search parameters required to bring up inmate records include an inmate's full name, PFN, sex, or date of birth. Information seekers can also use phonetic searches (if uncertain about a name's spelling) and restrict search results to bookings made in the last 24 hours.
Third-party public record websites are also available to search for inmates, but they usually require a subscription or fee to utilize search tools. There is no uniform fee that a person might pay. Inmate search parameters required for such sites typically include a name, city, and state. Sometimes, the third-party site will not charge a fee because it redirects the researcher to the official Alameda County inmate locator.
How to Send Money to an Alameda County Inmate
Depositing money into an Alameda County inmate's account is known as "putting money on the books". Families and friends can send money in cash or money order for the exact amount they wish to deposit. The jail staff will not accept change or any other payment method.
To send money to an inmate's account, the depositor must provide identification plus the inmate's name and personal file number (PFN). Cash deposits must be made in person. Money orders can be sent in person or via mail. In-person deposits are accepted every week, 24 hours a day. Mail orders should be made payable to:
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office
% Inmate's name and personal file number
Administration Office
1401 Lakeside Drive, 12th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612-4305
How to Visit an Alameda County Inmate
Visitation to the Alameda County jail is strictly by appointment. An appointment can be booked up to three days in advance by the visitor on the internet. Same-day appointments are not available. Intending visitors (18 years or older) should go to the Online Visiting Reservation System to register and schedule an appointment. The following inmate information is required to book an appointment: the inmate's name, PFN, and birth date. Registration also requires the following information from the visitor:
- The visitor's name and address (not post office box)
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Driver's license number
- Email address
A parent or legal guardian must escort younger visitors under 18. Documentation is needed to show proof of their relationship if a legal guardian accompanies a young visitor. Visitors must go through metal detectors and present a form of identification, which includes:
- A California identification card
- A State identification card
- Valid driver's license
- Matriculate Consulate card
- Passport
- Any government-issued identification showing one's picture, physical features, and signature.
Every visitor that enters or leaves the Alameda County jail is subject to a search for contraband. A visitor who enters the facility automatically gives consent to search. Photographs cannot be taken on jail property without the permission of the Commanding Officer. Failure to obtain consent will lead to unauthorized pictures being confiscated. It is a felony to possess firearms, narcotics, drugs, or alcohol on jail property. Any person in possession of these items will be arrested.
More information about visiting an inmate in Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail (including the SRJ's comprehensive visitation rules and regulations) can be obtained from the county sheriff's website.
How to Send Jail Mail in Alameda County
Inmates in Alameda County have the privilege of sending and receiving mail from the public. However, certain policies and procedures govern correspondence delivery. Mail sent to any inmate must have the inmate's last name, first name, initial and PFN number, and address of the jail facility. Mails are sent and delivered through regular channels; the jail staff cannot accept any incoming or outgoing mail for an inmate.
Any mail that exceeds 8-1/12" x 14" is not allowed and will be returned to the sender. A limit of six books and magazines is accepted if delivered directly from a publisher or online bookstore. The online bookstore must have a legal website that can be verified and permits consumers to order directly. It is not satisfactory if the website redirects to a different website. Packages must be labeled professionally. Hardbound books are not accepted. Other prohibited mail items include:
- Instructions on how to make explosives
- Sexually explicit material
- Blacked-out or altered photographs
- Mails that advocate discrimination and the use of violence
- Any obscene material defined in California Penal Code 311
Alameda Jails and Prisons
Santa Rita Jail
5325 Broder Boulevard
Dublin, CA 94568
Phone: (925) 551-6500
