Chula Vista City Jail

The Chula Vista City Jail is located in Chula Vista, California and is the only city in San Diego County that operates its own jail. This facility is operated by the Chula Vista City Police Department, and it houses adult male and female inmates who have been arrested by local law enforcement. 

This 50-bed, Type I facility books local arrestees and provides them the opportunity to be released on bail. Arrestees unable to provide bail are transported to the San Diego County detention facilities.

Inmates are held at the Chula Vista City Jail after they are arrested for crimes ranging from violations to misdemeanors to felonies. To find out if your loved one is being held at the Chula Vista City Jail, click here to see an inmate roster.

Posting Bond

The purpose of a bond is to make sure that an arrested person will appear at their scheduled court date when they are released from jail. Judges usually determine the amount of bond, while the sheriff determines the sufficiency of the bond. If a person is arrested with a warrant, it will generally have the bond amount listed. 

Most criminal detainees are eligible for temporary release from incarceration through the payment of a bail bond. 

Cash Bond: The person who is arrested (or someone acting on their behalf) may post the entire bond amount in cash, which will be held by the sheriff or the court pending disposition of the criminal case.

Surety Bond: Secure release from jail through a professional licensed bail bonding company, aka a “surety bond.” The bonding company will charge non-refundable fees that are not applied to any fines, costs, or restitution that may later be ordered by the court. 

OR Bond: Releasing someone on their “own recognizance” is simply a promise to re-appear at a later date for further judicial proceedings. These are usually used for minor offenses.

Booking Fees

Individuals who are arrested by the Chula Vista Police Department and booked into the jail are subject to a booking fee if convicted of a crime as a result of the arrest.

If convicted, an inmate will be sent an invoice for a Booking Fee of $155. They will have 30 days from the date of the invoice to pay this fee. After 90 days, the account will be sent to Collections.

In Person: Pay the booking fee of $155 at the Chula Vista Police Department front counter located at 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Payments are accepted during regular business hours of 8 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday, not including holidays. Payments can be made in the form of cash or credit card (excluding Discover). 

Online: The CVPD Case Number is located on the Invoice for the CVPD Jail Booking Fee.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Non-contact visitation at the Chula Vista City Jail is conducted between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday (excluding observed holidays), with the last visit entering at 4:00pm. Visitation blocks are one hour in length, and are on a first come first serve basis. 

All visits at the Chula Vista City Jail must be scheduled in advance. Please call City Jail Control directly for visitation appointments and details at (619) 691-5228. All visitors must fill out a visitor application the first time they want to visit an inmate. A new application needs to be submitted per inmate per adult visitor.

Each adult visitor (15 years of age and older) must complete and submit the Visitor Application (or download) prior to arriving for a visit.

Once an application has been completed, a visit can be scheduled. Approved visitors will be contacted at the phone number listed on the application once it has been processed to arrange a date and time for the visit.

A visitor's past criminal history may be grounds for visitation refusal. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Visiting Rules

• Inmates are not allowed visitation on the day they go to court.
• Federal USM Inmates are allowed one 1-hour visit per week.
• Up to two adults (ages 15 and older) or one adult and two children may visit at the same time.
• Visitors must have a valid photo ID issued by a government, state, or US federal agency. Minors do not need to show ID. 
• Each adult visitor is subject to a criminal background check.
• Visitors may not be on parole, formal probation, have a valid restraining order against them (either suspect or victim), or have an active warrant or pending criminal court case.
• Physical contact between prisoners and visitors is strictly prohibited.
• Visitors may not be a current "domestic violence" crime victim of the inmate.
• Visitors are not permitted to carry any purse, package, bag or clothing into the visitor’s holding area. 
• Cell phones are prohibited in the visiting area. Please leave these items locked in your vehicle or at home.
• Visitors may be subject to search using a metal detecting hand wand.

Dress Code

Visitors must be appropriately dressed. Clothing associated with street gangs is prohibited (including all NFL clothing, bandanas, skull caps etc.). Tattoos associated with street or prison gangs must be covered. 

Revealing clothing (tank tops without bras, extremely low cut blouses or dresses, extremely short dresses, etc.) is prohibited.

How to Call an Inmate

Detainees at the Chula Vista City Jail cannot receive incoming phone calls. However, they can make outgoing collect calls from the inmate housing area. They may call out either by calling collect or having an inmate phone account.

According to the laws of California, all incoming jail detainees are given the opportunity to make at least three local phone calls, free of charge. These calls allow arrestees to tell their friends or family members about their arrest and/or to seek help from a criminal lawyer.

To set up a Prepaid Calling Service to an inmate’s account:

• Go online to NCIC Inmate Communications or
• Call (800) 943-2189

How to Send Money

Money can be deposited to an inmate’s account at the Chula Vista City Jail either in person, online, or by phone.

• Visit the Front Lobby of the Chula Vista Police Department during normal business hours (Mon-Fri 8:00am to 5:00pm). They accept Cash, Check, Money Order, or Major Debit/Credit Cards
• Go online to Access Corrections 
• Call (866) 345-1884.

Programs For Inmates

This information is not publicly available.

Pictures of Chula Vista City Jail

Careers at Chula Vista City Jail

If you are interested in a career with the Chula Vista Police Department and would like more information about the job openings at the Chula Vista City Jail, click here.