San Bernardino Central Detention Center

San Bernardino Central Detention Center

The Central Detention Center (CDC) is located in San Bernardino, California. The center opened in 1971 and was used as the main county jail for close to 20 years. CDC closed for a few years due to overcrowding and budgetary complications. The center was then reopened in 1994 after the Sheriff negotiated a contract to house federal prisoners. Over the last 10 years, CDC has been the main booking facility for the police and sheriff’s stations. There are currently 330 federal inmates and 600 county inmates being housed.  If someone you love is being held in this facility, you’ll probably need the name of a good San Bernardino bail bonds company. Over the last 12 months they have booked over 20,000 inmates. A federal grant has allowed CDC to remodel their facility. Some of their upgrades include: new paint, metal detectors, a new security camera system, and a total remodel of the kitchen.

Mission of Central Detention Center

The mission of the Central Detention Center is to provide Law Enforcement Solutions to fulfill the needs of the communities by providing proficient services. The CDC currently offers the Juvenile Intervention Program. This program is designed to assist troubled teens by showing them the reality of incarceration. This program addresses criminal behavior and increases awareness of the criminal justice system. The CDC also participates in a program called Safe Return. This program is intended to help Law Enforcement during contacts with members of the communities who have disabilities, to ensure the special needs person returns home safe.

There are currently 18 divisions within the CDC, some of which include: Civil liabilities, emergency operations, rural crimes, gangs/narcotics, specialized investigations, and volunteer forces. The Central Detention Center offers an inmate locator which can be found on the CDC website. This program allows one to search for an inmate by booking number or by name. Another feature of the CDC website is the National Missing Persons Data System. The missing person site allows family, law enforcement, and investigators to search for missing persons using a number of different search features.

Visitation Guidelines

The CDC has a number of Inmate Visiting Guidelines. If one chooses to visit an inmate, they must schedule an appointment one day before their requested visit. In order to schedule a visit, they must call the visiting center and set up a day anytime between Wednesday and Sunday. Visitors must arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled visit to allow time for check in. Late arrivals will not be accepted and therefore must be rescheduled. Anyone who visits is subject to a search of their belongings and vehicles and is also prohibited from bringing in any cellphones, photographic or recording devices, and tobacco products. Anyone who brings children to the facility must keep them within arms reach. The visit may be terminated if children are unattended to. Lastly, all visitors must dress in appropriate attire.

Prohibited attire includes:

• Gang attire
• Hats
• Clothing/accessories presenting offensive language or pictures
• Sheer, or transparent garments
• Tank tops, halter tops, and strapless tops
• Clothing exposing breast/chest, midriff area, genital area or buttocks
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses shorter than mid-thigh
• Clothing that reveals the underwear
• Shoes must be worn

Upon visitation, visitors must present identification issued by a municipal, state, or federal agency. Examples include: Driver’s license, DMV identification card, Department of Defense identification card, Consulate identification card, or Passport.

Mail Guidelines

In order to send mail to an inmate in the detention center, all mail must include the sender’s name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard. If there is a failure to include the return address, the mail will most likely not be delivered and the letter will be destroyed. CDC allows inmates to receive unlimited postcards as long as they don’t contain images that are obscene or offensive. Inmates are also allowed to receive an unlimited amount of letters as long as the letters conform to the mail guidelines. Individuals may not mail items such as: stamps and stickers, food or hygiene items, cash, musical greeting cards, news clippings, or hand painted drawings.