Use the Official San Luis Obispo County Who’s in Custody Search First
A SLO County jail inmate lookup should start with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s official Who’s in Custody search. That is the county source for people currently in custody of the San Luis Obispo County Jail.
This guide shows how to search the roster, read the inmate ID and booking number, check bail, avoid wrong San Luis Arizona results, follow court calendars, schedule visits, send mail, deposit funds, use VINE, request records, and know when to switch to CDCR, ICE or federal custody tools.
Official SLO County Jail Inmate Lookup
The primary source for a san luis obispo county jail inmate lookup is the Sheriff’s Who’s in Custody page. Use it before any background-check form, scraped mugshot page or generic “San Luis County” directory.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Who’s in Custody
Open the custody search and use the person’s exact legal name. After the result loads, do not stop at the name alone. Confirm inmate ID, booking number, DOB, booking date, projected release, bail and arresting agency.
SLO County, San Luis Obispo County and San Luis AZ Are Not the Same Search
Search engines mix these phrases because they look similar. This page is for San Luis Obispo County, California, often shortened to SLO County.
Use the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Who’s in Custody search for people currently in the county jail.
A city police arrest can still route to the county jail. Start with the county custody search, then use court and police records if needed.
San Luis, Arizona is in Yuma County. Use the Yuma County Sheriff inmate search for county custody, not the SLO County jail page.
That phrase usually points to an ICE detention facility in San Luis, Arizona. Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System for immigration custody.
Use CDCR CIRIS after a person is transferred from county jail to California state prison custody.
How to Complete a SLO County Sheriff Inmate Lookup
The official roster is useful only if you verify the identity and read the limitations. A name-only match can be wrong, especially for common surnames.
Open the official custody search
Use the Sheriff’s Who’s in Custody page, not an ad or scraped roster. The official page has the county disclaimer and current custody fields.
Search last name first
Start with the legal last name. Add first name only if there are many matches. Try hyphenated names, aliases, middle names and spelling variations.
Open the possible match
Compare DOB, age, booking date, inmate ID, booking number and arresting agency before assuming you found the correct person.
Read bail and release carefully
The roster may show bail or projected release, but charges and bail listed online are known at booking only and may change.
Save the identifiers
Write down the inmate ID, booking number, full booking name and arresting agency before calling the jail or using NCIC, TouchPay, court, records or VINE links.
Choose the correct next agency
Use jail staff for custody status, the court for court appearances, Sheriff records for reports/warrants, CDCR for prison transfer, and ICE ODLS for immigration detention.
Inmate ID, Booking Number, Bail and Roster Fields Explained
The San Luis Obispo County Jail roster can show several fields. Each one has a different purpose.
No Result in the San Luis Obispo County Jail Inmate Finder?
A missing search result does not always mean the arrest did not happen. Work through timing, spelling, release and transfer possibilities first.
Search fixes
- Search last name only before adding first name.
- Try hyphenated last names, two last names and aliases.
- Check whether you meant San Luis Obispo County, CA or San Luis, AZ.
- Wait if the arrest happened very recently; booking can take time.
- Call 805-781-4600 with last name, first name and DOB if available.
Other explanations
- The arresting agency may not have transported the person yet.
- The person may have been cite-released.
- The person may have posted bail and left custody.
- The person may be held for another county.
- The person may have moved to CDCR, ICE or federal custody.
- A third-party page may be showing stale booking data.
San Luis Obispo County Jail Address, Phone and Driving Tip
The jail is north of downtown San Luis Obispo near Kansas Avenue. Do not confuse the physical jail address with the inmate mail address.
Physical jail address
San Luis Obispo County Jail1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Jail: 805-781-4600
Inmate mail address
Inmate Name & Identification Number880 Oklahoma Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Use this for mail, not as your driving destination without checking the task.
Booking, Cite Release, Release Timing and Out-of-County Pickup
Fresh arrests can take time to appear. The Sheriff FAQ says transport to the jail can take time, and once the person arrives, booking can take from 30 minutes to several hours depending on circumstances.
Recheck the official roster and call the jail if the arrest was recent. The person may not have completed booking yet.
Some fresh misdemeanor arrests may be released with a promise to appear. No bail payment is required in a standard cite-release situation.
The Sheriff FAQ says someone arrested while under the influence or showing symptoms must remain in custody at least four hours from arrest time, or longer until sober.
People eligible for cite release after dark must have a ride waiting at the jail, otherwise they stay until daylight.
Scheduled releases for time-served inmates take place in the morning between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. according to the Sheriff FAQ.
Transportation dates are not released for security reasons. The FAQ says other counties generally transport within five days after local time-served status.
SLO County Jail Bail: Full Amount, Holds and No-Bail Status
Bail on the roster is a starting clue, not final legal advice. The official custody search says charges and bail amounts listed are those known at booking only, and actual charges/bail may have changed.
Bail is the full amount
The Sheriff FAQ says bail is the full amount listed for the crime. A bond may be posted through a licensed bail-bond agency at a percentage of the bail.
Accepted full-bail forms
Full bail may be paid in U.S. currency, cashier’s check, official bank check, certified check or U.S. Postal Service money order made out to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.
Not accepted for bail
The Sheriff FAQ says personal checks and credit cards are not accepted for bail. Do not assume a card can be used because other deposit systems accept cards.
Check the inmate result first
Copy booking number, inmate ID, charge, bail and arresting agency.
Call before paying
Ask whether there is a hold, no-bail status, out-of-county warrant, parole hold, probation hold or court order.
Separate bail from commissary
TouchPay/commissary funds do not post criminal bail. Bail, phone funds and commissary deposits are separate money paths.
Recheck release
Bail releases can take longer if the inmate has already moved to housing or if paperwork has not arrived from the court.
Court Dates, Criminal Records and Case Information
The jail lookup answers custody questions. The court answers hearing, case, docket and copy questions. The Sheriff FAQ says the jail will not release court-appearance information.
Court appearance information
For court appearance information, the Sheriff FAQ directs users to call 805-781-5143 or visit the court website and use the Calendar / Criminal 5-day calendar route.
Criminal case records
The court says many case details can be checked through online lookup/re:SearchCA, while criminal documents can be viewed on onsite kiosks. Some copy requests may take up to 30 days.
Use the inmate roster for custody and call jail booking only for custody/release questions.
Use the court calendar or call the court information route listed by the Sheriff FAQ.
Use court case lookup or submit the court’s case information request route. Third-party case-summary requests may be limited.
Use the court’s copy request instructions and include case number, name, document title and filing date when known.
Use the arresting/investigating agency’s records unit, not the court calendar.
On-Site Visiting, Remote Video Visits and NCIC Rules
Beginning April 7, 2025, the Sheriff FAQ says all on-site visits must be scheduled through the NCIC system. Remote video visits are also scheduled online.
Schedule window
You can make an appointment no more than seven days in advance and no less than 48 hours before the visit.
Check-in rule
Visitors must be in line 45 minutes before the scheduled time. The Sheriff recommends arriving at least 60 minutes early.
Remote video cost
The Sheriff FAQ lists remote video visitation at $0.19 per minute. Public visits are monitored and recorded.
Men’s jail on-site schedule
- Sunday: 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 a.m.; 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 p.m.
- Monday: no visits.
- Tuesday: 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: no visits.
- Thursday: 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Friday: no visits.
- Saturday: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 p.m.; 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Female jail on-site schedule
- Sunday: 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- Monday: no visits.
- Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: no visits.
- Thursday: 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- Friday: no visits.
- Saturday: 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Visitor approval and ID
- Visitors over 18 must show valid government-issued photo ID.
- Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult unless legally married to the inmate.
- Parole, formal probation, pending felony action, felony history or custody within the prior six weeks can require approval.
- Medical or disciplinary restrictions can block visits.
Prohibited visit items and behavior
- No purses, backpacks, strollers, cell phones, smart watches or personal property in visiting areas.
- No drugs, alcohol, cameras, food, drinks, pets, firearms, knives or weapons.
- No nudity, partial nudity, provocative clothing or 3-way calls during video visits.
- Visitors cannot operate a motor vehicle during a remote video visit.
Open NCIC Video Visit System · Open Sheriff Inmate Resources
Phone Calls, NCIC Advance Pay and Messages
Inmates cannot receive ordinary incoming calls. The Sheriff FAQ says telephones are available for outgoing collect or automated advance-pay calls only.
Set up calls
Create an NCIC account online or call 1-800-943-2189. NCIC support is listed as available 24 hours a day.
Phone availability
The Sheriff FAQ says phones are generally available between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., but phone times may be restricted during the day.
NCIC messages
Messages can be sent through NCIC. The Sheriff FAQ lists $0.25 per message and says messages are received instantly.
Inmate Mail, Email Letters and Denied Mail Appeal
Mail rules are one of the easiest places to make a costly mistake. Always use the inmate’s full booking name and identification number.
Mailing address
Inmate Name & Identification Number880 Oklahoma Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Email letters
The Sheriff FAQ allows letter-style email to slocountyjail@slosheriff.org. In the subject line, write the inmate last name, first name and inmate identification number.
Example subject: Doe, John #400111
Accepted mail basics
- Inmates may send and receive letters.
- Paperback books, magazines, newspapers and periodicals must be prepaid and sent directly from the distributor or non-retail outlet by U.S. Postal Service.
- No more than five books.
- Photos must not be larger than 4 inches by 6 inches.
- Email attachments may include JPEG, GIF, BMP, PDF, TXT or DOC/DOCX.
Common rejected items
- Letters with more than four printed/photocopied pages including photos and internet pages.
- Instant/Polaroid photos or sticky-back photos.
- Greeting cards, heavyweight card stock, oversized envelopes or raised-surface envelopes.
- Hardback books, used books or books larger than 6 inches by 10 inches by 2 inches.
- Stickers, glitter, glue, tape, whiteout, paint, perfume, lipstick or biohazard concerns.
- Food, medication, packages without written approval, staples, paper clips or inmate-to-inmate correspondence.
Commissary, TouchPay, iCare and Inmate Account Deposits
Commissary money is not bail. It is used for inmate-account needs such as commissary products and telephone debit minutes.
Lobby kiosk
Deposits can be made in person at the TouchPay lobby kiosk at the San Luis Obispo County Jail.
Phone deposit
Call 866-232-1899. Use facility number 293405 so funds are applied to the correct jail.
Online deposit
Use TouchPay online. You must register an account first. Funds are listed as available within 24 hours after deposit.
Deposit fees listed by Sheriff
The Sheriff’s inmate resources page lists TouchPay fees of $2.95 for deposits up to $200 and $3.95 for deposits greater than $200.
iCare commissary goods
Through Aramark, friends and family may buy pre-packaged commissary goods through iCare. Item availability can change.
Jail Health Concerns, Urgent Calls and Medical Records
Health information is not handled like ordinary jail lookup data. Privacy laws and jail safety rules limit what can be released.
Non-urgent health concern
The Sheriff FAQ directs family members to use the secure jail health information form to relay non-urgent health information to jail staff.
Urgent health concern
For urgent health needs, call jail booking at 805-781-4600 and dial “5-5-0” to report the concern.
Medical records
Wellpath is the contracted health provider. Medical-record disclosure requires proper authorization, subpoena or other lawful route.
Medical records / subpoena route listed by Sheriff FAQ
Wellpath Medical Records1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Fax: 805-781-5342
Property, Clothing and Pickup Rules
Property is not automatically released to whoever appears at the jail. The inmate and staff approval process matters.
Property release
The Sheriff FAQ says inmates may release personal property and money, excluding needed clothing. State-prison-sentenced inmates may release all property, including clothing.
Incoming property
Incoming property or clothing must be initiated by the inmate and pre-approved by a Correctional Sergeant. Do not bring clothing without confirmation.
Reports, Warrants, Local Arrest Records and Case Disposition
Custody lookup, police reports, warrants and case disposition are different tasks. Use the right office so you do not get bounced between agencies.
Crime report copy
The Sheriff Records & Warrants FAQ says to contact the Records Unit at 805-781-4140. It lists no fee and says requests are generally processed within 10 business days, with legal redactions possible.
Local adult arrest information
For a local adult arrest record involving Sheriff’s Office arrests, contact Records and Warrants at 805-781-4140. State rap sheets require the California Department of Justice route.
Case disposition
Depending on status, disposition may come from Sheriff Records, Superior Court, District Attorney or Probation. Do not use the booking page as the final outcome.
Warrant check
The Sheriff FAQ says adult warrant information may be available through the Records and Warrants Unit at 805-781-4588. Limited details can include charges, bail amount and issuing agency.
Taking care of a warrant
The FAQ says many warrants can be handled with a bail bondsman, by surrendering to the Sheriff’s Office, or by contacting the court. For questions about whether the warrant should have issued, contact the court.
VINE, CDCR, ICE and Federal Custody Checks
If the person disappears from the SLO County roster, do not assume the record is wrong. They may have been released, moved to another county, transferred to state prison, entered ICE custody, or moved into federal custody.
The roster includes VINE notification links, and the Sheriff FAQ lists California VINE at 877-411-5588. The jail phone route can also transfer to VINE by choosing option 5 then option 6.
Use CDCR CIRIS after a person is sentenced/transferred to California state prison custody. County jail and CDCR are different systems.
If CIRIS cannot be accessed or viewed, CDCR lists the Identification Unit at 916-445-6713, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding holidays.
Use ICE ODLS for a person in ICE custody. Search by A-number plus country of birth, or exact first/last name plus country of birth.
Use the BOP inmate locator for federal custody from 1982 to present. BOP warns release dates may change due to sentence recalculation.
Open VINELink · Open CDCR CIRIS · Open ICE ODLS · Open BOP Locator
Alternative Sentencing, Book & Release and Court-Ordered Booking
Not every jail-related visit means someone is being held long term. SLO County publishes alternative sentencing and book-and-release information that many basic roster pages miss.
Home Detention Program
County service material says the Alternative Sentencing Unit offers a Home Detention Program for inmates sentenced to 20 days or more up to 364 days in county jail.
Alternative Work Program
The same county service page lists an Alternative Work Program for inmates sentenced to 20 days or less.
Book & release
If a court order or citation requires book and release under California Penal Code section 853.6, the Sheriff FAQ lists walk-in and appointment routes.
You can come to the county jail at any time. The Sheriff FAQ says the process may take up to three hours.
Appointments are from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the County Jail Honor Farm and take about 30 minutes.
If choosing the appointment option, no walk-ins are accepted. Call 805-781-4640 and leave a message.
PREA, In-Custody Death Reporting and Safety Concerns
The Sheriff FAQ says the Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for sexual abuse and sexual harassment in the county jail and that reports may be made verbally, in writing, anonymously or by third parties.
PREA reports
Reports may be made directly to the jail at 1585 Kansas Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, or by calling 805-781-4600.
Published reports
The Sheriff FAQ links PREA statistics, final facility audit reports and annual reports, including recent annual report links.
PC 10008 reporting
The Sheriff FAQ includes California Penal Code 10008 in-custody death reporting information, when applicable.
Map and Destination Check
Use the jail address for custody, bail, release, health and visiting questions. Use the Oklahoma Avenue address for inmate mail. Use the court website or criminal branch for court-date and criminal-record tasks.
Jail: 1585 Kansas Avenue. Inmate mail: 880 Oklahoma Avenue. Criminal court: use the San Luis Obispo Superior Court criminal division/court calendar route before traveling.
Official Links and What to Do After You Click
Use these links only for the matching task. Each one solves a different problem.
SLO County Jail Inmate Lookup FAQs
Where is the official SLO County jail inmate lookup?
The official lookup is the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Who’s in Custody search. Use it for people currently in custody of the San Luis Obispo County Jail.
What does the SLO County Who’s in Custody page show?
It can show inmate ID, booking number, name, gender, DOB, age, booking date, projected release, bail, charges, descriptions, bond number, arresting agency and VINE notification link when available.
Can I rely on the SLO jail roster for legal action?
No. The Sheriff’s custody search says the data should not be relied upon for legal action. It also says charges and bail amounts are known at booking only and may have changed.
How long after arrest does someone appear in the roster?
The Sheriff FAQ says transport to jail can take time, and once the person arrives, booking can take from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the circumstances.
What number do I call for San Luis Obispo County Jail inmate information?
Call the jail at 805-781-4600. Provide the person’s last name, first name and date of birth if known. The jail cannot give information about someone not in custody.
What if the adult arrestee is no longer in custody?
The Sheriff FAQ directs users to call the Records Department at 805-781-4588 for information about an adult arrestee who is no longer in custody.
What is the jail address?
The physical jail address is San Luis Obispo County Jail, 1585 Kansas Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.
What is the inmate mail address?
Use the inmate name and identification number, 880 Oklahoma Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. Check the mail rules before sending books, photos, money orders or email attachments.
How do I post bail for a SLO County inmate?
Call the jail first to confirm no hold or no-bail status. Full bail may be posted with accepted payment forms such as U.S. currency, cashier’s check, official bank check, certified check or U.S. Postal Service money order. Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted for bail.
When does a newly arrested person go to court?
The Sheriff FAQ says newly arrested persons are required to be arraigned within 48 hours of arrest, not counting weekends and holidays. If the person is cite-released or bails out, a future court date is set.
How do I find the inmate’s court date?
The jail will not release court appearance information. Use the SLO court calendar/criminal 5-day calendar route or call 805-781-5143 for court appearance information.
How do I schedule an on-site visit?
On-site visits must be scheduled through NCIC. Appointments may be made no more than seven days in advance and no less than 48 hours before the visit. Arrive at least 60 minutes early because visitors must be in line 45 minutes before the scheduled visit.
How much does remote video visitation cost?
The Sheriff FAQ lists remote video visits at $0.19 per minute. Public visits are monitored and recorded.
How do I set up phone calls?
Create an NCIC advance-pay account online or call 1-800-943-2189. Inmates can make outgoing collect or advance-pay calls only.
Can jail staff take a message for an inmate?
No. Staff are not allowed to take messages over the phone or reception window. Messages may be delivered through visits, attorney or bail agent, mail, NCIC message or the jail email-letter process.
How do I deposit money into an inmate account?
Use the TouchPay lobby kiosk, TouchPay online, or phone deposit at 866-232-1899. Use facility number 293405. Funds are listed as available within 24 hours after deposit.
What is VINE for SLO County Jail?
VINE provides custody-status notification. The Sheriff FAQ lists California VINE at 877-411-5588 and says the jail phone line can transfer callers to VINE through option 5 then option 6.
What if I meant San Luis AZ county jail inmate search?
San Luis, Arizona is in Yuma County, not San Luis Obispo County. Use the Yuma County Detention Center inmate search for county custody or ICE ODLS if the person is in immigration custody.
What if I meant San Luis Regional Detention Center inmate lookup?
San Luis Regional Detention Center usually refers to an ICE-related detention facility in San Luis, Arizona. Use ICE Online Detainee Locator System with A-number and country of birth, or exact first and last name plus country of birth.
Can I use a jail roster or mugshot for employment or tenant screening?
No. This guide is informational only. Do not use booking data, a charge, roster entry, mugshot, bail amount, inmate ID or arrest record for decisions regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act or other screening laws.