What happens to your friends and family when they are arrested? Where are those convicted of a crime sent to serve their jail time? In San Diego County, there are seven primary detention centers, including the George F. Bailey Detention Facility. If you have a friend or family member who has been assigned to this maximum security jail you may have a lot of questions. Our experienced San Diego criminal defense attorneys have created a quick FAQ about the George F. Bailey Detention Facility to answer the questions we most commonly receive.
Who is brought to and held at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility?
The George F. Bailey Detention Facility is the largest jail facility in San Diego County. On average, more than 1,770 male inmates are held at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility each day.
Most inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility are high-risk. Inmates are generally classified at risk levels 4 through 6. Level 6 is the highest risk level. Individuals who have been arrested for violent crimes, domestic violence, drug crimes, and weapon crimes are more likely to be assigned to serve their criminal sentence at this facility. A large number of inmates who are waiting to be transferred to a state mental health facility are held at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility.
Where is the George F. Bailey Detention Facility located?
The George F. Bailey Detention Facility is located at:
446 Alta Rd. Ste. 5300
San Diego, CA 92158-0002.
The phone number for the George F. Bailey Detention Facility is: 619-210-0385.
How do I get information about an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility?
Phone: You can get information about inmates held at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility by directly calling the facility at 619-615-2700.
Web: You can also locate an inmate on the San Diego Sheriff’s Department website. The “Who’s in Jail” section provides information about current inmates.
How can I contact an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility?
Phone: Inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility may not receive incoming phone calls. This means that any phone conversations will have to be initiated by the inmate. Inmates may make calls using phones in common areas. Phone calls must be placed Collect or using a pre-paid calling card. If you are expecting calls from an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility it is important to make sure that the facility’s number is not blocked by your provider.
Mail: Inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility may receive mail. All mail must include a return address, the inmate’s full name, and the inmate’s booking number. Mail that is not properly addressed will not be delivered.
Mail should be addressed to:
[Inmate’s Name]
George Bailey Detention Center
446 Alta Rd, Ste 5300
San Diego, CA 92158
When you send mail to an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility, you must comply with the jail’s strict rules and regulations. Inmates are only permitted to receive letters, certain size cards, and a limited number of non-offensive photographs. Mail that contains food, stationery, posters, nudity, offensive material, jewelry, staples, tape, stickers, or lipstick will not be delivered to the inmate. Letters or drawings written in chalk, crayon, or marker will also be rejected, including those done by children.
Inmates can also receive books and magazines. However, the items must be sent directly from a reputable online or brick-and-mortar store. Books and other items that are sent personally from a friend or family member will not be accepted.
All mail will be searched before it is delivered to an inmate.
E-Mail: You also have the option of emailing an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility. All email will be screened by detention center staff, printed, and distributed to inmates. An inmate must respond using regular USPS mail.
When can I visit an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility?
Visiting Hours: Most inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility are eligible for visitation. Visiting hours are generally available Thursday through Tuesday of each week. However, the specific days and hours during which you may visit an inmate will depend on which of the 13 modules to which they are assigned. Most visits will last for 30 minutes in length. You can visit the San Diego County Sheriff Department website for a specific list of each module’s visiting hours.
Scheduling a Visit: Visits must be scheduled in advance on the San Diego County Sheriff Department website or by calling the facility at 619-210-0385. An inmate may have up to 3 visitors during each visit. Each visitor’s name and information about their relationship to the inmate must be provided at the time the visitation request is made.
Visiting an Inmate: Visitors must bring valid ID with them to the scheduled visit and arrive at least one hour before the scheduled time. If a visitor is under the age of 18 he or she must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Visitors may not bring cell phones, bags, purses, backpacks, food, drink, pets, cigarettes, vaping devices, cameras, or weapons into the visiting area. All visits to the George F. Bailey Detention Facility may be monitored or recorded by staff.
Limitations on Visitors: If you have been convicted of a felony, served time in a state prison, or have been incarcerated within the past 3 months you must receive special permission from the Watch Commander before you can visit an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility.
How do I get money to an inmate at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility?
Inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility are given basic necessities for their health and well-being. They are provided with a uniform, toiletries, and three meals a day. If an inmate would like to purchase additional items they may do so at the Commissary. Items that may be purchased include food, toiletries, clothing items, and prepaid phone cards.
Inmates can purchase these items using a detention facility bank account. Any money the inmate earns while working at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility will be deposited into this account. You can also put money into this account for your friend or family member to use. Money can be put “on the books” for an inmate by:
- Visiting a TouchPay kiosk in the George F. Bailey Detention Facility lobby;
- Visiting the San Diego County Sheriff Department website;
- Mailing a cashier’s check or money order to the facility;
- Sending a transfer via Western Union or other financial institution; or
- Restructuring the deposit of a payroll or retirement check.
An inmate’s personal account may not exceed $500 at any point in time.
What services are available to inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility?
Inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility are generally restricted to their cells for 23 hours each day. The dayroom, where telephones are located, is open for one hour each day. Inmates are also generally granted up to three hours of outdoor recreation time each week. Services that are available to inmates at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility include:
- Medical and mental health assistance;
- Educational programs;
- Commissary access; and
- Rehabilitation programs.
How does an inmate get their belongings back after they are released from the George F. Bailey Detention Facility?
When an inmate is booked his personal belongings are collected and cataloged. They will be held at the facility until that inmate is released. An inmate may also sign a form to authorize a friend, family member, or lawyer to collect the belongings.
For more information about the George F. Bailey Detention Facility or how you can help an inmate who is detained there, do not hesitate to contact our office. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
