Calaveras County Jail

Calaveras County Jail basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 209-754-6499

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Calaveras County Jail is a medium-security detention center located at 1045 Jeff Tuttle Dr San Andreas, CA which is operated locally by the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Calaveras County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the San Andreas Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The Calaveras County Adult Detention Facility is commanded by the Custody Bureau Captain.

CUSTODY consists of the detention facility (county jail), work release program, prisoner transportation, court security (bailiffs), and is responsible for the safety and security of persons pending trial or individuals convicted of crimes in Calaveras County. The county jail is the central booking and intake location for all law enforcement agencies operating in Calaveras County. The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the care, custody, and control of individuals arrested in or transported to the custody of Calaveras County. The State of California and federal government impose standards to which the Sheriff must comply. These include minimum square foot living space, medical and dental treatment and other tax-supported services.

The Historic Calaveras County Jail was built in 1963. It was originally constructed to house 45 male inmates, 4 female inmates, and 10 juvenile inmates. While there were housing units assigned for our female population, typically female inmates were housed in the Amador County Jail.
From 1963 until 1980, sworn deputies rotated time between the staffing the jail and patrol duties. They also manned the 911/dispatch center as part of the jail until a new dispatch unit was added in the early 1980’s. Correctional officers took over the duties of the jail in 1980, much to the relief of the patrol deputies.

Due to growth in the community, more bed space was required. Thus, in 1983, the first modifications to the jail were set in motion. A new Male Housing Wing was added and an existing wing was converted to house the growing population of female inmates. Modifications and additions were done to the kitchen, visitation and laundry rooms, along with the construction of a library. A secure exercise yard was also added.

Even with these expanded facilities, population growth overwhelmed the jail and dangerous jail overpopulation situations were occurring. A population cap was placed on the jail in 1993 by the Calaveras County Superior courts to help control the overpopulation problems.

In 1999 the jail saw its second expansion push with the addition of a maximum-security wing. This wing was built to separate the more violent offenders from the general jail population. It also had increased safety features to aid the Correctional staff. Even with the addition of these eight beds, there continues to be overpopulation problems.

Plans for a new jail were in the works for several years. In 2007 the voters of Calaveras County approved Measure J which authorized bonds to meet the match requirement for State funding to build a new Adult Detention Facility and Sheriff’s Administration complex.

Inmate Mail –

There is no limit to the volume of mail an inmate may send or receive and there is no restriction to the number of pages or to the amount of writing on either side of the paper.

The only types of correspondence accepted in the mail are:

• The paper the correspondence is written on
• The envelope
• Photographs – No more than three (3)
  • No Polaroids
  • No photos larger than 4" x 6"
  • No pornography

If an inmate receives photographs in the mail, a maximum of three (3) will be given to him/her.
If the inmate already has photographs, any number in excess of three will be placed in his/her property.

• Newspapers, magazines, books, etc. will not be accepted for inmates in this jail unless the inmate is going to be here for 30 days or more and then only if the newspaper, magazines, books, etc. are mailed directly from the publisher.
• Books, newspapers, correspondence/mail and periodicals will not be accepted into the jail if they are obscene publications or writings. Mail containing information concerning where, how, or from whom obscene matter may be obtained, and any matter of a character tending to incite murder, arson, riot, violent racism, or any other form of violence, and any matter concerning unlawful gambling or an unlawful lottery will not be accepted. No hardcover books will be accepted.

visitation Info

Calaveras County Adult Detention Facility – Visitation

Notice: Any new visitor registration or request for Sunday visitation must be submitted online no later than 2:00pm on the preceding Friday.

Requests filed after 2:00pm on Friday will be reviewed on the following Monday.

Visiting Regulations – All visitors must check-in at the front lobby counter. All visitors 16 years and older must present a valid government-issued photo ID with a current address. There are no age restrictions but visitors who are 17 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or with the permission of the Jail Commander or his designee.

• Visitors must submit to a search of belongings or a pat-down search if there is suspicion you are trying to take contraband into the visiting area. If you refuse to be searched upon request, your visit will be denied.
• Visitors will not be allowed to carry personal items into the visiting area including but not limited to cell phones, purses, diaper bags, cameras, briefcases, tape recorders, food items including beverages, etc. The only items allowed to be brought into the visiting area shall be keys, ID, and a small wallet.
• During the visit, inmates/visitors shall not be allowed to write notes or use sign language in order to communicate. (Unless inmate or visitor is hearing impaired) Any violation of this rule shall result in the visit ending.

The following persons will not be allowed to visit prisoners in the jail:

• An inmate released from the Calaveras County Jail on bond or by any other means, whose case has not been adjudicated.
• Any prisoner who has been in the Calaveras County Jail within the last 90 days.

Attorney Visits

• An attorney may visit an inmate if he or she has been named attorney of record by the court.
• An attorney or any other visitor shall not accept or pass to an inmate any communication that is not specifically related to the attorney/client relationship. All material to be passed between an inmate and an attorney such as books, legal pads, writing tools, etc., shall be viewed by the officer on duty and checked for contraband for security purposes.
• All persons who use the Attorney Room for visiting inmates are subject to search of their person and property to maintain the security of the facility.

Clergy Visits – Clery may visit an inmate for religious purposes between the hours of 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm any day of the week and have use of the Attorneys' Visiting Room. Clergymen must sign the register and be able to present proper identification prior to the visit. Clergy visits are on a first come first serve basis and time may be limited to provide time for other clergy visits.

Clergymen shall not accept or pass to an inmate any communication that is not specifically related to religious material. All material to be passed between an inmate and the clergyman such as books, writing pads, writing tools etc., shall be viewed by the officer on duty and checked for contraband.