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 in 1982
• Rated Capacity: 386

Located in the City of Chula Vista, the South Bay Detention Facility (SBDF) is situated four stories beneath the South Bay Regional Justice Center and opened for service to the community in 1982. It is a non-booking facility consisting of two detention levels.

SBDF houses both high and low-level incarcerated population classifications.

As one of San Diego County’s less populated detention facilities, SBDF can be managed by a dozen deputies and a Watch Commander. A full complement of professional support staff helps keep the facility running efficiently. A professionally trained medical staff treats incarcerated individuals for minor afflictions and illnesses. Detention Processing staff manage the incarcerated population's court appearances and assist the friends and family of incarcerated persons to coordinate visitation, financial transactions, and bail.

SBDF provides a wide range of services to assist incarcerated persons in preparation to rejoin society as productive, law-abiding citizens. A full-time counselor is staffed to address individual needs and coordinate recovery programs for incarcerated persons to attend. Incarcerated persons are encouraged to attend Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings conducted by certified instructors who provide bilingual services. Church services and bible study are also provided to incarcerated persons in both Spanish and English.

­Attention All Visitors

Beginning December 7, 2023, SBDF 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. ***

Video Visit Times

Visits can be scheduled during the time blocks indicated below in 30-minute increments.

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 5 days a week, with no visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  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.

Reservations must be made one day in advance. No same day visits. 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

1A -L 30 Minute Visits

1A -U 30 Minute Visits

1B-L 30 Minute Visits

1B-U 30 Minute Visits

2A-L 30 Minute Visits

2A-U 30 Minute Visits

2B-L 30 Minute Visits

2B -U 30 Minute Visits

3A -L 30 Minute Visits

3A -U 30 Minute Visits

3B - 30 Minute Visits

4A -L 30 Minute Visits

4A -U 30 Minute Visits

4B -L 30 Minute Visits

4B -U 30 Minute Visits

 5A -30 Minute Visits

Learn more about visitation on our Visiting page.

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