Merced Jail

Merced Jail

The Merced Main Jail Facility is one of two jail locations operated by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, and the single location within the city of Merced. The facility is located at 700 W. 22nd St. in the city of Merced. The other facility operated by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, the John Latorraca Correctional Facility, is located outside the city limits, in El Nido, California.  If a loved one is awaiting trial at one of the jails, and have been granted bail, they can use the services of a good Merced bail bonds company.

Bail Bonds for Merced Main Jail Facility

Visitors to the Merced Jail Facility are welcome to see inmates on Saturdays or Sundays, with specific time slots organized according to the inmates’ cell blocks. Visitation times are between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays, plus a “swings shift” on Saturday evening, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The schedule of daytime visitation hours is extended on Sunday until 3:30 p.m., but the evening visitation hours end one hour earlier, at 7:30 p.m. To determine which window is most appropriate, visitors must first determine the cell block of the inmate they wish to see.

In order to visit someone incarcerated to the jail facility, visitors must first appear on the inmate’s list of approved visitors. Approved visitors may then appear at the facility during the indicated visiting times. Visitors are advised to allow at least 15 minutes for the sign-in process and to allow the inmate time to prepare for the visit. All visitors are expected to present a current, valid ID, whether a driver’s license, a passport or a military identification card. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Visitors are not permitted to bring any objects into the visiting area, with the singular exception of a baby bottle for any nursing infants. Visitors are also requested to wear appropriate clothing, avoiding any low-cut or other provocative forms of dress. A simple dress code is outlined in full, in the facility waiting room.

For inmates meeting with their attorneys, special arrangements can be made to ensure private communication between attorney and client. Nonetheless, a guard will accompany the inmate at all times. News media personnel may visit inmates for interviews only after receiving permission form the Sheriff’s office. Faith-based organizations are allowed to visit inmates, provided they have first passed a background check. Representatives of faith-based organizations should also provide ordination papers or other relevant documents to verify the legitimacy of their denomination. All visits are recorded and visitor records are maintained for future reference at the main facility.

Services

The Merced Main Jail Facility also features a Lobby Kiosk, where family and friends of inmates may make deposits into inmates’ personal accounts. The kiosk accepts cash, credit and debit cards and charges a fee for cash deposits. In order to operate the kiosk, visitors must know the inmate number of the individual whose account they wish to deposit into. Alternately, friends and family members of inmates may send money to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office directly, using GovPayNet or CourtMoney.com. Money transfers through MoneyGram are also accepted, but should be made out to “SSC Inmate Funding” as the company name and “MCE” as the facility name.

Individuals who enter into the facility can expect to receive assessment sessions and individualized treatment planning, behavioral therapy meetings and cognitive behavioral group activities. These may include themes such as employment readiness, substance abuse or general cognitive skill development. Groups available to inmates include anger management, a women’s group, life skills, substance abuse and moral reconation therapy. Following release, inmates receive help in preparing for reentry into the working work and finding potential employers.