Sacramento County Main Jail in Sacramento, CA

Address: 651 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 874-6752

Operated by: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office

The Sacramento County Main Jail is the county’s primary intake and pretrial detention facility, located in downtown Sacramento at the corner of 7th and I Streets. Operated by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the facility primarily houses adult inmates awaiting trial, with a capacity for roughly 2,432 people. Most sentenced inmates in Sacramento County serve their time at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Elk Grove, about a half-hour south. Anyone arrested in Sacramento County — the city of Sacramento, unincorporated areas, and many surrounding municipalities — is typically booked here first.

If a Loved One Has Just Been Booked

To confirm someone is in custody, use the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Inmate Information system or call the Main Jail at (916) 874-6752. Have the person’s full name and date of birth ready, or their X-reference number if you can get it.

A few things worth knowing in those first hours:

• All inmate phone calls and emails are monitored. Don’t discuss what happened over the jail phone or in email messages — both can be used by the prosecution.
• Arraignment typically happens within 48 hours of arrest, excluding weekends and holidays. Sacramento County criminal cases are heard at the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse downtown.
• For family emergencies, contact the Main Jail Social Worker at (916) 874-6345 or the Jail Chaplain at (916) 874-7724, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Bail and Release

Bail amounts are set by the Sacramento County bail schedule. Bail can be posted in cash or through a licensed bail bondsman. An attorney can request a bail hearing to argue for a reduction or release on own recognizance (OR release). For lower-level offenses, release on a citation may be available without requiring bail.

Visiting Someone at the Main Jail

Visiting hours are daily, generally 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the last visit registered no later than 9:30 p.m. Visits are 45 minutes and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis at the jail — no online appointments. Pretrial inmates are allowed two visits per week; sentenced inmates may have three. Each visit is limited to three visitors total, including infants and children, with at least one adult.

A few things to know:

• Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — driver’s license or DMV ID card from any U.S. state or Mexico. Other accepted IDs include U.S. passport, a military ID, or a Mexican Consulate card.
• Parents or guardians bringing children must show proof of relationship (birth certificates or guardianship papers).
• Anyone released from the Main Jail or RCCC within the past 30 days, or anyone convicted of a felony and confined in state prison, cannot visit without prior consent from the Jail Commander or Watch Supervisor (per Penal Code 4571).
• Cell phones, smart watches, tablets, pens, papers, purses, photos, and lighters are prohibited in the visit area. Acceptable items: ID, car keys.
• All visitors are subject to metal detection and search.

For current schedule changes, check the Sheriff’s Office visitation page.

If your loved one has been booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail, our team is available around the clock. The sooner we’re involved, the more options we have. Learn how we defend Sacramento County criminal cases.

Contact us for a confidential case evaluation.