Effective December 06, 2023:

The Custody Information line for all Sheriff's detention facilities has integrated to one central phone number. For public inquiries, please utilize (619) 409-5000 and select the option for your desired facility.

 Quick Facts

• Opened by Sheriff's Department in 1991
• Rated Capacity: 760
• Site Size: 8 acres

Located in Otay Mesa, the East Mesa Reentry Facility (EMRF) was initially built as a probation camp in conjunction with the George F. Bailey Detention Facility. It was turned over to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in 1991. In 2014 the East Mesa Reentry Facility not only completed an expansion project but went through a name change as well. The name now reflects its new mission in the Detention Services Bureau; to operate the reentry services for the Sheriff’s Department.

EMRF is a Type II medium security facility situated on eight acres in south San Diego County. It consists of six housing dormitories, recreation areas, a mess hall, several classrooms, counselor, medical, probation and administrative offices. The landscaping and surrounding grounds are maintained by the incarcerated workers participating in the Landscaping Program. Benefits for incarcerated persons assigned to EMRF include the opportunities to work, educational incentives and the ability to learn job skills due to the lower classification levels of the incarcerated persons at this facility.

For programming information, please see the Reentry Services page on the Sheriff's Department website.

­Attention All Visitors

Beginning January 8, 2024, EMRF will begin offering video visitation via the SMART Communications System.

Video visitation is available 7 days a week and are 30 minutes in length. Incarcerated persons will be allowed 2 video visits per week.  Visits are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis, there will be NO same day visits.  Reservations must be made one day in advance and can only be scheduled by visiting SmartInmate™ - Corrections Communications Services (smartjailmail.com) .  An account must be created prior to scheduling a visit.  Visits are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.

***Due to a recent change in the phone system provider for our incarcerated population, calls from inside our detention facilities are coming from the number 727-349-1561.  It has come to our attention some mobile carriers are identifying this number in their spam settings and calls from incarcerated persons may be filtered out.  To ensure you receive these calls, please program this number into your phone or contact your phone provider to unblock this number.  We are working toward additional solutions and will post any additional changes here. ***

In-person social visit reservations can be scheduled by calling (619) 409-5000, Wednesday through Sunday during the hours of 6:30am to 6:00pm.  Visitation is available 4 days a week, with no visits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  A maximum of 3 visitors, including children, are permitted per visit.  Minors must be accompanied by a parent, court appointed guardian or other adult having legal custody. Visitors 18 and over must have valid ID.  Social visits are 30 minutes in length (1 hour for incarcerated workers).

Video Visit Times

30 Minute Visits 

Reservations must be made one day in advance. ALL VISITORS MUST CHECK-IN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED VISIT TIME. Cancellations can be made in person with ID verification. Visits may be canceled at any time due to rule violations, incarcerated person transfers, or for jail security.

In Person Visitation Times

Dorms A1/A2, B1/B2, C1/C2, D1/D2 -60 Minute Visits

House 3 -3A/3B/3C/3D - 30 Minute Visits

House 4 -4B/4C/4D - 30 Minute Visits

House 4 -4A- 30 Minute Visits

Learn more about visitation on our Visiting page.

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