Santa Ana City Jail (ICE)

Santa Ana City Jail (ICE) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 714-245-8100

This facility is for adult inmates.

Santa Ana City Jail (ICE) – Immigration Detainee Locator

The Santa Ana Police Department recognizes the impact a court-ordered commitment has on families and careers. The Santa Ana Jail's Pay-to-Stay Program provides options to assist individuals in these situations.

Program Overview

Serving a commitment in jail is a highly disruptive experience and can negatively affect a person’s career and their ability to provide for their family. This can be especially true for small business owners, commission-based workers and sole income earners. Working with the courts, the Santa Ana Jail provides options to traditional incarceration that help address these concerns.

The Pay-to-Stay Program is for eligible individuals interested in serving their commitments over a series of weekends, or for those seeking a work-release program. These options provide the opportunity for the individual to preserve their employment and maintain family support obligations while completing their court-ordered commitment.

General Information and Qualifying Criteria

The Santa Ana Police Department is available to assist its residents and workforce to serve certain commitments in a manner that best addresses their individual needs. All applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Court approval is required.
• Applicants should be in good overall health and free from acute medical conditions. Most prescription medications are acceptable.

There are no residency restrictions to participate in the program. Most misdemeanors and some felony commitments are eligible, although not all charges will qualify for the program. There is no fee to apply or to determine eligibility. A program administrator is available to discuss your specific situation and will provide additional information regarding the program.

Application Process

• Applicants must contact the Santa Ana Jail Pay-to-Stay program administrator at 714-245-8102, either directly or through their legal representative. Based on the applicant’s specific situation the program administrator will be determine eligibility, explain program requirements and calculate program costs.
• The program administrator will provide a letter of eligibility for presentation to the court, if requested.
• Following the court’s approval the program administrator will work with the applicant to arrange a payment schedule, work-release periods (if applicable) and execute a program contract.
• The court is directly notified upon the participant’s successful completion of the program.

Fee Information

• There is no fee to apply or to obtain a letter of eligibility.
• Requesting a letter of eligibility does not obligate program participation.
• The first day of incarceration (administrative fees included) is $140
• Each subsequent day of incarceration is $110.
• Program fees are paid in advance according to a predetermined schedule. Maximum payment frequency is every two weeks.
• Fee payments may be in cash or by cashier’s check.

Additional Information

• Consumption of alcohol is prohibited at all times, including work-release periods.
• A medical screening may be required in certain circumstances.

Inmate Mail

To send mail to inmates housed at the Santa Ana Jail, follow the guidelines below:

• Mail is delivered to inmates Monday through Friday.

• All mail is subject to search. Inmate non-legal mail will be scanned prior to delivery.
• Inmates may not receive any mail, books, or magazines containing pornographic, gang, or violence-related materials.
• All letters coming in and out of the facility must be by U.S. Mail. (FedEx, UPS, etc. not accepted)
• Magazines and newspapers must come directly from the publisher.
• Only packages containing paperback books may be accepted. (Inmates may only have five books in their cell.) Packages exceeding the limitations will be returned.
• Legal correspondence must be clearly labeled "Legal Mail." Such correspondence will be delivered and searched in the presence of the recipient inmate.
• No cash can be accepted by mail.

Inmate Education

Behind the walls of the Santa Ana Jail, constructive and rehabilitative programs are taking place for incarcerated inmates.

The educational classes and religious services provided by seven different organizations, are changing the attitudes and quality of life for many of the inmates. The seven organizations are:

• Santa Ana College
• Orange County Dept of Education
• Alcoholic Anonymous
• Planned Parenthood of Orange County
• Catholic Church Services,
• Protestant Church Services
• Orange County Dept of Education (GED Testing Office)

Santa Ana Jail is a leader in inmate programming and it may be the only city jail in America that provides inmates the opportunity for long-term growth through formal education. Along with numerous crisis and recreational programs, inmates at the Santa Ana Jail are provided the opportunity to obtain their GED certificates and/or enroll in college-credited courses. The success and comprehensive nature of the Inmate Programs is due largely to the leadership of the Jail Administration. The top managers of the facility consistently emphasize values of personal responsibility and individual growth and provide the backdrop for this unique curriculum.

Thousands of inmates have spent thousands of hours learning and developing skills that will serve them in the future. Classes available include: Computer Applications, Business Skills, ESL, GED, Parenting, Anger Management, Job Development, Substance Abuse, Art, Drug Court Counseling, Sex Education, Bible studies, AA meetings, Sociology 101, Sociology 112, and Protestant and Catholic services.

The GED program has graduated over 130 imates which demonstrates the merit of these types of programs. These graduates become role models for other inmates and are generally the best-behaved inmates in the Santa Ana Jail system. Upon their release, the possession of the GED certificate will mean that they have one less obstacle towards changing their lives for the benefit of our communities.

The media has taken note of the excellent programs in the Santa Ana Jail. The Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, OCN, the Telemundo Network, and the Univision Network have all documented stories on the educational and religious programs offered at the Santa Ana Jail. Supporters of the program are confident that it is one of the best in the country. These programs have certainly provided an unparalleled opportunity for the resident inmates.

Nursing services for inmates are currently available 24 hours per day.

On-site psychiatric counseling and dental services have also been implemented. The expansion of these medical services has resulted in fewer medical rejects at booking, fewer transports to the hospital, and a reduction of inmate grievances involving medical issues.

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If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (714) 712-8074 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (714) 245-8100 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

visitation Info

Santa Ana City Jail – Visitation

Visiting hours are:

Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Lobby Closed
11:30a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m

• Adult visitors must sign in at the Santa Ana Jail Front Lobby prior to any visits. Visits are on a "first come/first served" basis.
• Visitors must be over the age of 18. An adult must accompany minors 17 years of age or under.
• All visitors should arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before the visit.
• Visitors for inmates housed in Administrative Segregation must check in at least 30 minutes prior to visit.
• Visitors will be required to produce a valid government issued form of picture identification.
• A maximum of three adult visitors are allowed per visit. A maximum of 5 visitors in any minor/adult combination are allowed per visit.
• Inmates may have 2 one-hour visits each week.
• Visits will not be allowed when an inmate is scheduled for court. Visits may resume after court appearances.
• Visitors must dress appropriately or they will not be admitted into the visiting area.
• Lewd conduct or inappropriate behavior by visitors or inmates will not be tolerated and may result in suspension of visiting privileges.
• Children must be controlled and cannot be left unattended at any time.
• All personal items ie. cell phones, car keys, cannot be taken to visiting. Lockers are available for .50 cents.

Dress Code – Public and Professional

The following are allowed with restrictions:

• Shorts – No higher than 3 inches from the knee. Professional visitors will not be allowed to wear shorts during contact visits.
• Skirts – No higher than 3 inches from the knee.

The following are prohibited to wear during personal visits:

• Sundresses
• Halter tops
• Bathing Suits
• See-through clothing
• Crop tops
• Low-cut blouses or dresses
• Miniskirts
• Backless Tops/Dresses
• Sleeveless Garments
• Hats, Caps, Beanies, or Du-rags
• Sunglasses (vision impaired exception)
• Dresses or Skirts with slit opening(s) extending 3 inches above the knee in the back, front, or side
• Any clothing that looks like inmate clothing
• Any other clothing that is deemed provocative, revealing or unsuitable for order and security

Santa Ana City Jail (ICE) – Friends and Family Visits

Mondays through Fridays: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

To ensure adequate time to process visitors through security, all visitors must arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled visit time.

Visitors must present a valid verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility.

Visits shall not exceed 1 hour.

Minors who are visiting the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian (18 years or older). Minors must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting room, visiting room or any other area.

Adult visitors must present a valid, verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility.

Attorney Visits

There are no restrictions on visitation times by legal representatives.

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. 

This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time.  It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at (714) 712-8074.

Clergy Visits

Clergy may visit detainees at any time, but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.

Visiting Restrictions

• All family or other social visits are Non-contact.
• No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
• If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
• All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
• Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
• Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.