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Finding Inmates in Sacramento County Jails
Searching for a friend or loved one who has been incarcerated can be stressful and confusing. This guide provides tips on how to locate inmates in Sacramento County jails using online tools and resources.
Understanding Sacramento County Incarceration
Sacramento County operates several detention facilities that house both pre-trial detainees and sentenced offenders. The main jail is located in downtown Sacramento and has capacity for around 3,000 inmates. There are also branch jails in Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center and RCCC Elk Grove.
Inmates in Sacramento jails may be awaiting trial, serving a misdemeanor county jail sentence, or waiting transfer to state prison on a felony conviction. Sentences in county jail are usually under one year. The average daily population of Sacramento County jails is around 3,500 inmates.
Searching Online for Sacramento Inmates
The easiest way to find someone in Sacramento County jail is to use the online inmate locator provided by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. This searchable database contains records on most individuals incarcerated at Sacramento jails, including:
- Full name
- Age and date of birth
- Booking date
- Projected release date
- Bail amount
- Mugshot photo
- Housing location
- Case information
To use the inmate locator, go to the Sacramento Sheriff’s website and click on the “In Custody Search” button. This will open a search form where you can look up inmates by first or last name.
If you don’t know the full spelling of an inmate’s name, you can search on partial names or try alternate spellings. The search results will display a list of matching inmates with basic details like race, sex, age and location. Click on a name to view the full details including mugshot, charges, and bail.
One limitation of the online lookup is that it only covers inmates already processed into the jail system. If someone was very recently arrested, they may not yet appear in the Sacramento inmate search. In that case, you may need to call the jail to get updates on their case status.
Calling the Jail for Information
If the Sacramento inmate locator does not have the information you need, the next step is to call the jail facility directly. Each housing unit has a phone number to call for questions about specific inmates.
Here are phone contacts for Sacramento County jail locations:
- Main Jail – (916) 874-6752
- Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center – (916) 875-0382
- RCCC Elk Grove – (916) 687-3016
When you call the jail to ask about an inmate, have their full legal name and birthdate or booking date ready. The staff can look up inmates in their internal system and may be able to provide additional details on their housing unit, court dates, charges, and projected release.
Calling the jail is often necessary if someone was very recently booked or if they are set to be released soon. The online systems have a lag and may not reflect an inmate’s current status. Speaking directly to staff gets you the most up to date information.
Using Inmate Lookup for Commissary Support
Once you have confirmed an inmate’s ID number and location in Sacramento County jail, you can use the online systems to deposit money into their commissary account. Adding funds allows inmates to purchase food, personal hygiene items, writing supplies, and other approved necessities during their incarceration.
To put money on an inmate’s books, go to the Sacramento Sheriff’s commissary page and select the deposit option for the specific jail facility they are housed in. You will need the inmate ID number and last name to complete the deposit transaction.
Maintaining contact and providing commissary support can make a big difference for those incarcerated in Sacramento jails. Following the tips in this guide will help you locate imprisoned friends or family members. Reach out right away for the fastest answers on their status.
Resources
Sacramento County Jail Information: https://www.sacsheriff.com/Pages/Organization/Corrections/Custody.aspx
Inmate Lookup Search: https://www.sacsheriff.com/InCustody/
Commissary Support Page: https://www.sacsheriff.com/Pages/Organization/Corrections/Commissary.aspx