San Diego Jail

Inside San Diego’s County Jail System

The San Diego Central Jail is part of the San Diego County jail system operated by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. This main jail facility houses over 2,000 inmates and is located in downtown San Diego. Some key things to know about this jail:

Booking and Intake

When someone is arrested in San Diego County, they are typically first brought to Central Jail to be booked and processed. This involves taking fingerprints and a mugshot, conducting health screenings, and assigning housing within the jail. The booking process can take several hours.
Personal belongings are catalogued and stored until the person’s release. Inmates change into jail-issued clothing – a simple shirt and pants uniform. They are allowed to keep undergarments and religious head coverings.

Housing and Living Conditions

Inmates are housed according to classification level, which is based on factors like criminal history and gang affiliation. Housing ranges from large open dorms to single- and double-occupancy cells.
Conditions inside are generally sparse. Inmates sleep on thin mattresses on concrete beds with metal frames. Cells have stainless steel toilet/sink combinations but no other furnishings. There are communal showers and phones available.
Recreation time involves accessing a small outdoor area or common room. Activities and programming opportunities are limited for lower custody inmates. Higher level inmates may be able to access GED classes, substance abuse meetings, religious services, and library books.

Health and Medical Care

Medical intake screenings aim to identify immediate health needs, with referrals made to doctors and nurses as needed. Ongoing care is provided but limited. Access to medications depends on security clearance. Mental health services are available but stretched thin.
Some critics argue that medical care is inadequate, especially for detoxing inmates. Lawsuits have been filed over preventable deaths and negligence. However, the sheriff contends care meets constitutional minimums.

Food and Commissary

Meals are served three times a day in communal areas. Diets must provide sufficient nutrition but tend to be bland, starchy, and repetitive. Special meals are provided for some medical or religious needs.
Inmates can purchase snacks, toiletries, stationary, clothing, and other approved items through commissary orders. Purchases are deducted from money added to their accounts by friends/family. Prices are inflated compared to stores.

Communicating with The Outside

Mail and reading materials have to be sent directly through approved channels – no packages allowed. All mail is inspected for contraband.
Inmates can make collect calls from communal phones. Calls are recorded and time-limited. Video visitation is also available for a fee. In-person visits typically involve speaking over a phone while separated by glass. Physical contact is very limited.

Coping with Incarceration

Jail can be stressful, isolating, and scary, especially for first-timers. Some common coping techniques include:
Sticking to a schedule for meals, exercise, reading, etc. This creates normalcy.
Participating in whatever programs or activities are available. Social interaction is important.
Writing letters to maintain connections with loved ones. Support systems are invaluable.
Practicing meditation, deep breathing, or prayer. Quieting the mind helps manage anxieties.
Focusing on self-improvement for the future. Setting goals helps the time pass.
Maintaining one’s humanity and dignity while incarcerated poses challenges. But inmates have rights which the jail has duties to uphold.

Legal Help and Representation

Many inmates spend months in jail waiting on resolutions or court dates for their charges. Navigating the justice system on one’s own is difficult.
Local organizations like San Diego County Public Defenders and ACLU of San Diego provide legal consultations or representations for inmates who cannot afford private attorneys. They assist with things like:
Reviewing charges and possible defenses
Advising on plea deals or agreements
Representation at pre-trial motion hearings
Mitigating sentencing recommendations
Filing appeals if necessary
Public defenders carry heavy caseloads so can’t always give each client full attention. But their services are free for qualifying inmates.

Possible Defenses

Common defenses to explore include:
Wrongful arrest – police lacked probable cause so arrest was invalid
Unlawful search/seizure – evidence was obtained improperly
Misidentification – defendant was mistaken for someone else
Alibi – defendant has proof they were elsewhere
Self-defense – actions protected person or property
Other options involve contesting aspects of the formal charges if errors exist there. An attorney can advise on the best defense strategies.

Bail and Pretrial Release

Inmates who can arrange bail payments may be able to secure pretrial release while their case makes its way through court. Bail amounts and conditions are set by judges based on flight risk, public safety, charges, and criminal history.
About two thirds of the San Diego jail population are awaiting trial rather than serving a sentence. Many remain behind bars simply because they cannot afford bail. Advocacy groups protest this as unconstitutional.
In recent years the number of unsentenced inmates has skyrocketed statewide. Some see excessive bail practices as part of the problem. Reforms aim to make pretrial release more equitable.

Bail Bonds

For those with bail set at $5,000 or more, one option is using a bonds agent. You pay 10-15% of the bail amount as a non-refundable fee. The agent posts a bond for the full bail, securing your release.
If you miss a court date the bond is forfeited. The bonds agent has financial incentive to make sure you comply with conditions. Some see this system as predatory, though it remains legal.

Other Alternatives

Judges can authorize pretrial release without bail under monitoring programs like GPS ankle devices and frequent check-ins. These alternatives are gaining support but not yet widely used. Their efficacy is still being assessed.

Sentencing and Incarceration

If found guilty, inmates move from pretrial detention to serving their court-ordered sentence. Longer sentences involve transferring to state prisons. Shorter sentences can remain in county jails like San Diego Central.
Jail sentences under one year stay in county facilities. From 12-36 months sentences often start in jail then transfer to prison. Over 36 months go straight to prison. Exceptions exist based on capacities, health issues, gang affiliations, and other factors.
Parole eligibility works on a point system tied to actual time served. By participating in rehabilitation programs, inmates can earn additional credits to reduce their sentences.

Reentry and Reducing Recidivism

Nationally, around 68% of released prisoners are rearrested within three years. Jails aim to lower recidivism through reentry initiatives assisting with things like:
Identifying housing/shelter placements
Connecting with social services
Providing transitional healthcare
Supporting job searches
Funding transportation costs
Supplying basic necessities
Strong community partnerships are key. Organizations like Prison Fellowship offer mentorship for those rebuilding life skills too.
The cycle of incarceration takes support, determination, and resources to break. For past offenders willing to work hard, second chances remain possible.
So in summary, the San Diego Central Jail houses over 2,000 inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences after conviction. Managing safety and justice for the incarcerated poses challenges, as does efforts to facilitate successful reentry. But ongoing reforms aim to improve conditions and lower recidivism over time.