If you’re looking for someone at the San Bernardino Central Detention Center, you’re probably stressed. It’s not exactly a place anyone visits for fun. Located at 630 East Rialto Avenue, this facility is the primary intake point for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. It's old. It’s busy. And if you don't know the specific rules for booking and bail, you're going to spend a lot of time sitting in a plastic chair or hanging up on a recorded phone line.
Most people call it "CDC." It’s right in the heart of downtown San Bernardino.
Don't expect a warm welcome. The deputies here have a job to do, and that job involves processing hundreds of people every single week. Whether you're trying to post bail, drop off money, or just figure out if your brother actually made it there after a Friday night arrest, you need the right info before you drive down.
Understanding the San Bernardino Central Detention Center Layout
The Central Detention Center isn't just one big room. It’s a high-security hub. It serves as the main booking center for the entire valley region of the county. This means if someone is arrested in San Bernardino, Fontana, or even parts of the surrounding unincorporated areas, they usually end up here first.
It’s got a capacity of about 900 inmates. That sounds like a lot, but it fills up fast.
The facility handles both "pre-sentenced" and "sentenced" inmates. This is a crucial distinction. Pre-sentenced folks are those who just got picked up and are waiting for their first court date or haven't posted bail yet. Sentenced inmates are those who are serving out shorter terms, usually for misdemeanors, though the 2011 realignment (AB 109) changed things, and now some people serve longer "prison" sentences in county jails like this one.
Honestly, the building looks like a fortress. Because it is.
The Booking Process: Why It Takes Forever
You might think a person gets arrested and is immediately available for a phone call. Wrong. The booking process at the San Bernardino Central Detention Center San Bernardino CA is notorious for being a slow-motion exercise in bureaucracy.
First, there’s the medical screening. Then fingerprinting through the Live Scan system. Then the photos. Then the background check to see if there are warrants in other counties or states.
If the jail is "on a roll," this might take four hours. If they're slammed? You’re looking at ten to twelve hours.
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Until that process is 100% complete, the inmate isn't "cleared" for visitors or even a bail bond. It's frustrating. You’ll call the inmate locator line, and they’ll tell you the person is "in the system but not yet processed." That basically means you just have to wait.
Finding an Inmate and Getting Info
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBSD) runs an online inmate locator. It’s your best friend right now.
You need the person's full legal name and, ideally, their date of birth. If they have a common name like John Smith, you’re going to need that DOB or a booking number to narrow it down. The locator will tell you their housing location, their charges, and—most importantly—the bail amount.
Checking Bail Amounts
Not everyone is eligible for bail. If there's a "no bail" hold, usually for a serious felony or a probation violation, they aren't going anywhere.
But for most, there will be a dollar amount listed. You have a few options:
- Cash Bail: You pay the full amount to the court. You get it back (minus some fees) after the case is over, assuming the person shows up to all their dates.
- Bail Bonds: You pay a non-refundable percentage (usually 7% to 10%) to a bondsman. They put up the rest.
- OR Release: "Own Recognizance." This is where the judge lets them out for free based on a promise to return.
Don't just run down there with a stack of cash. Call the jail's public information line first to verify the current bail status. Things change fast.
Visiting Rules You Cannot Ignore
If you want to see someone at the San Bernardino Central Detention Center, you can't just show up. This isn't a hospital.
Visiting is done by appointment, and those slots fill up days in advance. You have to use the SBSD online scheduling system.
The Identification Headache
They will turn you away at the door for the smallest ID error. You need a valid, government-issued photo ID. This means a California Driver’s License, a U.S. Passport, or a Military ID. If your license is expired? You’re not getting in.
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And then there's the dress code.
Jails are incredibly strict about what visitors wear. No "revealing" clothing. No tank tops. No skirts that are too short. No clothing that looks like gang attire. If the deputy at the desk thinks your shirt is too thin, they’ll tell you to leave. It’s better to dress like you’re going to a conservative church service than to risk a wasted trip.
What About Kids?
Minors can visit, but they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The guardian has to bring an original or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. A photocopy usually won't cut it.
Money and Communication
Inmates need money for "commissary." That’s the internal store where they can buy things like extra soap, snacks, and stationery.
You can drop off money in the lobby via a kiosk, or you can use third-party services like Access Corrections. Be prepared for fees. Everything in the jail system comes with a fee.
Making Phone Calls
You cannot call an inmate. Period.
They have to call you. These calls are "collect" or through a pre-paid account via GTL (Global Tel Link). They are also recorded.
Seriously, do not talk about the case over the phone. Every word is being saved. Prosecutors love using jail calls as evidence because people get comfortable and start talking about what happened the night of the arrest. Tell your loved one to stay quiet until they talk to a lawyer.
Sending Mail
You can send letters, but don't try to send anything else. No Polaroid photos (they can be peeled apart to hide contraband). No glitter. No perfume-scented paper. Just plain white paper and a blue or black ink pen.
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Address it like this:
Inmate Name, Booking Number
Central Detention Center
630 East Rialto Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92415
The Reality of Medical Care
If the person you’re worried about has a medical condition, the San Bernardino Central Detention Center San Bernardino CA has a medical staff on-site. However, getting specific medications inside can be a nightmare.
The jail generally won't accept meds brought from home. They have their own pharmacy. If your loved one needs life-saving medication, you should contact the jail’s medical department or the Chaplain’s office to ensure they are aware of the condition. They will verify the prescription with the person’s doctor.
It’s a slow process. Be persistent but polite.
Common Misconceptions About CDC
People think the Central Detention Center is the same as the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. It’s not.
West Valley is much larger and often where people are moved for long-term stays. CDC is more of a "hub." If someone "disappears" from the CDC roster, check West Valley. They might have been transferred in the middle of the night on one of the county’s transport buses.
Another myth? That you can bring "care packages." You can’t. You can’t bring a change of clothes (unless it's for a jury trial and ordered by a judge) and you certainly can’t bring food.
Actionable Steps for Families
If someone you know just got picked up and sent to the San Bernardino Central Detention Center, here is your immediate checklist:
- Wait four hours. Don't even bother calling yet. Give the system time to at least start the booking.
- Check the Inmate Locator. Get that booking number. It is the key to everything.
- Confirm the Bail. Look at the charges. If it's a felony, you might want to wait until after the "72-hour" window (the time the DA has to file charges) because bail amounts can change or charges can be dropped.
- Secure an Attorney. If it’s serious, call a lawyer before you call a bondsman. Sometimes a lawyer can get someone out on OR (Own Recognizance) at the first hearing, saving you thousands in bond fees.
- Set up a GTL account. If you want to talk to them, you need money in a phone account.
- Schedule your visit early. If you wait until the weekend to try and book a spot, you’ll be out of luck.
The legal system in San Bernardino County is massive and often feels cold. The Central Detention Center is a "points of entry" facility that moves fast and doesn't care about your schedule. Be patient, keep your paperwork organized, and remember that everything you say on those jail phones is being listened to by the people trying to build a case.
Stay calm. Information is the only thing that actually helps in this situation. Look up the booking number first, and then move forward with bail or legal counsel.