Santa Clara County Inmate Search
A Santa Clara County inmate search provides inquirers access to pertinent regarding an inmate or arrestee. This information is considered part of Santa Clara County Public Record information and is accessible to the public unless otherwise determined by a judicial order. Generally, people get arrested when they break the law in Santa Clara County, California. A person can be arrested after an arrest warrant is issued. However, there are instances where officers can arrest without warrants. Per the California Penal Code, officers can arrest persons without warrants when they commit crimes in their presence.
Arrests in Santa Clara County occur when an officer physically restrains a person or when that person submits to the officer's authority. An officer must take the individual into custody as authorized by law to make a valid arrest. After the arrest of an individual, the person will be temporarily housed in the Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex until:
- They post bail
- They are released pending trial without having to post bail
- They appear for their arraignment
- They appear for trial
Depending on the charge and case facts, a defendant may be sentenced to incarceration in county jail. Male offenders may be housed at the Main Jail or transferred to the Elmwood Men's Facility, depending on the sentence, availability of bed space, and medical needs. Female offenders are taken to the Elmwood Complex Women's Facility. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department operates Santa Clara County's jail facilities.
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.
Santa Clara County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
As of 2020, about 49,831 crimes were reported in Santa Clara County, which led to the arrest of 30,809 individuals. Of this number, 10,277 persons were arrested for felonies and 20,476 for misdemeanors. 2,394 of those arrested were sent to jail, with 2,011 unsentenced (those in custody and awaiting sentencing) and 383 sentenced inmates. Approximately 92.3% of those sent to jail were males, and 7.7% were females.
Santa Clara County Prison System
The Santa Clara County prison system is the fifth largest prison system in California and among the 20th largest jail systems in the United States. It has an inmate population of over 1,000. Specifically, about 48,000 arrestees are booked annually, with an average stay of about 206 days. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department is responsible for running the county's two jail facilities, which serve a population of over 1.8 million in an area of 1,290 square miles. Below are the jails:
- Elmwood Correctional Complex (Men and Women)
- Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex
The Elmwood Correctional Complex has two facilities:
- The Elmwood Men's Facility: It is home to about 2,600 male inmates, with an operating budget of about $32 million per year.
- Elmwood Complex Women's Facility: The facility is home to approximately 500 female inmates, with an annual operating budget of about $7 million.
Meanwhile, the Santa Clara County Main Jail Complex, divided into the Main Jail North and Main Jail South, accommodates about 65,000 persons yearly and was designed to house a maximum of 919 inmates. It has an annual budget of approximately $37 million.
How to Find an Inmate in Santa Clara County
Record seekers can find Santa Clara County inmate records at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Record seekers can use the online tool available on the sheriff's website to search for inmates. One must provide an inmate's Booking Number (CEN), Person File Number (PFN), or name and date of birth or booking date to search.
How Does a Santa Clara County Inmate Search Work?
California allows the dissemination of inmate information per its Public Records Act. Hence, members of the public can inspect any inmate record unless:
- The record reveals the identity of a confidential informant.
- The disclosure of a record would endanger the life of a person involved in an investigation.
- The disclosure of a record would jeopardize the successful completion of an investigation or a related investigation.
The following information can be found during an inmate search in Santa Clara County:
- Inmate's full name
- Date of birth
- Age, sex, and race
- Physical description, including weight, height, hair color, and eye color
- Location
- Arrest type and date
- Case number
- Charges
- Offense description/level
- Release information
Where to Find a Santa Clara County Inmate Locator
Local, state, and federal correctional agencies in the United States provide inmate locators to the public so they can access inmate information when needed. The Santa Clara County Inmate Locator is called the Inmate Finder and can be accessed on the county sheriff's website.
In a similar way, individuals can search for persons convicted in Santa Clara County but confined in the state prison system using the Public Inmate Locator maintained by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Inquirers can search for an inmate by CDCR number or last name using this online tool. Those searching by the last name can filter search results with the "First Name" and "Middle Name" fields.
Individuals can also access inmate records from third-party websites. Generally, the search criteria for these sites are an inmate's first or last name and a U.S. state's name. However, a small search fee may apply, which varies by site.
How to Send Money to a Santa Clara County Inmate
Individuals can send money to inmates incarcerated in the Santa Clara County jail system using the following methods:
- Lobby kiosk
- Online
- Telephone at (866) 232-1899
- Mailing a money order or cashier's check to the facility
After a deposit, the money becomes available in the inmate's account within 24 hours. The maximum amount of money an inmate in Santa Clara County can receive per week is $300. Any extra money received for the same week will be returned to the sender. Detailed information about inmate account deposits is available on the sheriff's website.
How to Visit a Santa Clara County Inmate
A person must register via the Online Visitor Registration (OVR) system before they can visit a Santa Clara County inmate. Visits are typically scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. An individual can schedule a visit in-person or online and must have valid government-issued picture identification, such as a driver's license or ID card, passport, or green card. If a visitor is late, the visit will be canceled. All visitors must wear proper clothing and shoes. For instance, visitors cannot wear hats, shoes containing metal, or strapless clothes. Only biological children of inmates or visitors are allowed entry.
Visiting processes and requirements vary slightly between the Elmwood Correctional Facility and the Main Jail Facility. For instance:
- Visitors can visit inmates at the two facilities from Monday through Friday, but the visiting times differ.
- Elmwood Correctional Facility allows inmates to have up to two 30-minute visits per week and one visit per day, while the Main Jail Facility allows up to two 60-minute visits per week.
- Up to two adults can visit an inmate at Elmwood Correctional Facility simultaneously, while the Main Jail Facility gives two adult visitors 30 minutes each for a visit.
- Intending visitors must check in at Elmwood Correctional Facility 45 minutes before the scheduled visit, but only 30 minutes is required at the Main Jail Facility.
- Visitors can use the lockers at Elmwood Correctional Facility by depositing $0.75, but a deposit of between. 25 to $10 may be required to use lockers at the Main Jail Facility.
How to Send Jail Mail in Santa Clara County
Inmates within the Santa Clara County jail system can receive mail from friends, family, and other members of the public. Inmates can receive an unlimited number of letters by mail. They can also receive newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and books if mailed directly from the publishers. Any mail packages must have the inmate's name, booking number, and PFN. Mail packages should be delivered to the following mailing addresses:
Main Jail Complex
150 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110
Elmwood Complex
701 South Abel Street
Milpitas, CA 95035
Below are some contraband items that cannot be sent to an inmate by mail:
- Cardboard
- Flower
- Laminated items
- Drugs
- Books, magazines, and newspapers not from publishers
- Food items
- Blank envelopes
- Paper clips, staples, and glitter
- Posters
- Items with tape
- Items having suspicious stains or markings, lipstick, or whiteout
Individuals can review the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Custody Bureau Inmate Rulebook for the complete list of contraband items.
Santa Clara County Jails and Prisons
The following are the names, contact information, and addresses of the jail facilities in Santa Clara County, California:
Elmwood Men's Facility
945 Thompson Street,
Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone: (408) 957-5900
Elmwood Women's Facility
701 South Abel Street
Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone: (408) 957-5900
Main Jail Complex
150 West Hedding Street
San Jose, California 95110
Phone: (408) 808-2804
