California's county jails function like county jails throughout the United States: they are used to incarcerate people pre-trial, through a trial and sentencing, and for some sentences of commitment. The majority of people incarcerated in California's county jails have not been sentenced (they are pre-trial and have not been convicted of a crime).
Historically, time would be served in a county jail for sentences of less than a year, including sentences for misdemeanors and some felonies. In 2011, the Public Safety Realignment Act was signed into law in response to the Supreme Court case Brown v. Plata and the resulting court order to address prison overcrowding in the state. Realignment "shifted responsibility for all sentenced non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offenders from state to local jurisdictions", which decreased California prison populations, increased California county jail populations, and changed the types and distribution of crimes for which people were serving sentences in county jails.
For comparison, in December 2019 there were approximately 71,200 people incarcerated in California county jails (based on average daily population), 124,027 people incarcerated in California state prisons, and 51,923 people on parole in California.
California county jails
Rated capacity and average daily population reports from the California Board of State and Community Corrections were used to determine what constitutes a distinct jail facility for this list.
The following counties do not have jails:
- Alpine County: jail services are contracted to El Dorado County and Calaveras County.
- Sierra County: this county does not have an official jail tracked by the Board of State and Community Corrections, but the Sheriff's website says that "as of March 17, 2015 the Sierra County Jail began operating as a Temporary Housing Facility".
See also
References
- Board of State and Community Corrections. "Realignment". Board of State and Community Corrections. Archived from the original on 2020-04-19.
- Board of State and Community Corrections. "Jail Profile Survey Query". Board of State and Community Corrections. Archived from the original on 2020-06-07. Alt URL
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. "Monthly Total Population Report" (PDF). California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitatio. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-19.
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. "Monthly Total Population Report" (PDF). California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-19.
- Board of State and Community Corrections. "Rated Capacities of Type II, III, & IV Local Adult Detention Facilities (Dec 2006 – Dec 2019; last update 1/9/20)". Board of State and Community Corrections. Archived from the original on 2019-11-15. Alt URL
- Board of State and Community Corrections. "Jail Profile Survey Query". Board of State and Community Corrections. Archived from the original on 2020-06-07. Alt URL
- Alameda County Sheriff's Office. "Santa Rita Jail". Alameda County Sheriff's Office.
- Amador County Sheriff's Office. "Amador County Jail". Amador County Sheriff's Office.
- Butte County Sheriff's Office. "Butte County Jail". Butte County Sheriff's Office.
- Calaveras County Sheriff's Office. "Calaveras County Adult Detention Facility". Calaveras County Sheriff's Office.
- Colusa County Sheriff's Office. "Colusa County Jail". Colusa County Sheriff's Office.
- Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. "Marsh Creek Detention Facility". Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.
- Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. "Martinez Detention Facility". Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.
- Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. "West County Detention Facility". Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.
- Del Norte County Sheriff's Office. "Del Norte County Sheriff's Office". Del Norte County Sheriff's Office.
- El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. "El Dorado County Sheriff's Office". El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.
- El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. "El Dorado County Sheriff's Office". El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.
- Fresno County Sheriff's Office. "Fresno County Jail". Fresno County Sheriff's Office.
- Fresno County Sheriff's Office. "Fresno County Jail". Fresno County Sheriff's Office.
- Fresno County Sheriff's Office. "Fresno County Jail". Fresno County Sheriff's Office.
- Clenn County Sheriff's Office. "Glenn County Jail". Glenn County Sheriff's Office.
- Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. "Humboldt County Sheriff's Office - Custody Services". Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
- Imperial County Sheriff's Office. "Imperial County Jail Information". Imperial County Sheriff's Office.
- Imperial County Sheriff's Office. "Imperial County Jail Information". Imperial County Sheriff's Office.
- Imperial County Sheriff's Office. "Imperial County Jail Information". Imperial County Sheriff's Office.
- Inyo County Sheriff's Office. "Inyo County Jail". Inyo County Sheriff's Office.
- Kern County Sheriff's Office. "Kern Valley Central Receiving Facility". Kern County Sheriff's Office.
- Kern County Sheriff's Office. "Lerdo Justice Facility". Kern County Sheriff's Office.
- Kern County Sheriff's Office. "Lerdo Max/Med Security Facility". Kern County Sheriff's Office.
- Kern County Sheriff's Office. "Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility". Kern County Sheriff's Office.
- Kings County Sheriff's Office. "Kings County Sheriff's Office". Kings County Sheriff's Office.
- Lake County Sheriff's Office. "Hill Road Correctional Facility". Lake County Sheriff's Office.
- Lassen County Sheriff's Office. "Lassen County Adult Detention Facility". Lassen County Sheriff's Office.
- Los Angeles County County Sheriff's Office. "Century Regional Detention Facility". Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
- Los Angeles County County Sheriff's Office. "Men's Central Jail". Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
- Los Angeles County County Sheriff's Office. "North County Correctional Facility". Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
- Los Angeles County County Sheriff's Office. "Pitchess Detention Center East Facility". Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
- Los Angeles County County Sheriff's Office. "Pitchess Detention Center North Facility". Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
- Los Angeles County County Sheriff's Office. "Pitchess Detention Center South Facility". Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
- Los Angeles County County Sheriff's Office. "Pitchess Detention Center South Facility". Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.
- Madera County Department of Corrections. "Madera County Department of Corrections". Madera County Department of Corrections.
- Madera County Department of Corrections. "Madera County Department of Corrections". Madera County Department of Corrections.
- Marin County Sheriff's Office. "Marin County Jail". Marin County Sheriff's Office.
- Mariposa County. "Mariposa County Adult Detention Facility". Mariposa County.
- Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. "Mendocino County Corrections". Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.
- Merced County Sheriff's Office. "Jail Information". Merced County Sheriff's Office.
- Merced County Sheriff's Office. "Jail Information". Merced County Sheriff's Office.
- Modoc County Sheriff's Office. "Modoc County Corrections". Modoc County Sheriff's Office.
- Mono County Sheriff's Office. "Mono County Jail". Mono County Sheriff's Office.
- Monterey County Sheriff's Office. "Monterey County Detention". Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
- Monterey County Sheriff's Office. "Monterey County Detention". Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
- Napa County Department of Corrections. "Napa County Jail". Napa County Department of Corrections.
- Nevada County Sheriff's Office. "Nevada County Jail". Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
- Orange County Sheriff's Department. "Orange County Central Men's and Women's Jails". Orange County Sheriff's Department.
- Orange County Sheriff's Department. "Orange County Central Men's and Women's Jails". Orange County Sheriff's Department.
- Orange County Sheriff's Department. "Orange County Central Men's and Women's Jails". Orange County Sheriff's Department.
- Orange County Sheriff's Department. "Orange County Central Men's and Women's Jails". Orange County Sheriff's Department.
- Orange County Sheriff's Department. "Orange County Theo Lacy Facility". Orange County Sheriff's Department.
- Placer County Sheriff's Office. "Auburn Jail". Placer County Sheriff's Office.
- Placer County Sheriff's Office. "South Placer Jail". Placer County Sheriff's Office.
- Placer County Sheriff's Office. "South Placer Jail". Placer County Sheriff's Office.
- Plumas County Sheriff's Office. "Plumas County Jail". Plumas County Sheriff's Office.
- Riverside County Sheriff's Office. "Riverside County Correctional Facilities". Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
- Riverside County Sheriff's Office. "Riverside County Correctional Facilities". Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
- Riverside County Sheriff's Office. "Riverside County Correctional Facilities". Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
- Riverside County Sheriff's Office. "Riverside County Correctional Facilities". Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
- Riverside County Sheriff's Office. "Riverside County Correctional Facilities". Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
- Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. "Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center". Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.
- Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. "Sacramento County Main Jail". Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.
- San Benito County Sheriff's Office. "San Benito County Jail". San Benito County Sheriff's Office.
- San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "San Bernardino Central Detention Center". San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
- San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center". San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
- San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "High Desert Detention Center". San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
- San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "West Valley Detention Center". San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "East Mesa Reentry Facility". San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "Facility #8". San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "George Bailey Detention Facility".
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "Las Colinas Women's Detention". San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "San Diego Central Jail". San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "South Bay Detention Facility". San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "Vista Detention Facility". San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
- San Diego County Probation Department. "Vista Detention Facility". San Diego County Probation Department.
- San Francisco Sheriff's Office. "County Jail #2". San Francisco Sheriff's Office.
- San Francisco Sheriff's Office. "County Jail #4". San Francisco Sheriff's Office.
- San Francisco Sheriff's Office. "County Jail #5". San Francisco Sheriff's Office.
- San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. "San Joaquin County Custody Division". San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.
- San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. "San Joaquin County Custody Division". San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.
- San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office. "San Joaquin County Custody Division". San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.
- San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office. "San Joaquin County Custody Division". San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.
- San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. "San Mateo County Corrections Division". San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
- San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. "San Mateo County Corrections Division". San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
- San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. "San Mateo County Corrections Division". San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
- Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. "Santa Barbara County Custody Operations". Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.
- Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. "Santa Barbara County Custody Operations". Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.
- Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff. "Elmwood Men's Facility". Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff.
- Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff. "Elmwood Women's Facility". Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff.
- Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff. "Santa Clara County Main Jail". Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff.
- Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. "Santa Cruz Corrections". Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
- Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. "Santa Cruz Corrections". Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
- Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. "Santa Cruz Corrections". Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
- Shasta County Sheriff's Office. "Shasta County Jail". Shasta County Sheriff's Office.
- Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office. "Siskiyou County Custody Division". Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office.
- Solano County Sheriff's Office. "Solano County Custody Division". Solano County Sheriff's Office.
- Solano County Sheriff's Office. "Solano County Custody Division". Solano County Sheriff's Office.
- Solano County Sheriff's Office. "Solano County Custody Division". Solano County Sheriff's Office.
- Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. "Sonoma County Detention". Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
- Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. "Sonoma County Detention". Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
- Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office. "Stanislaus County Public Safety Center". Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office.
- Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office. "Stanislaus County Public Safety Center". Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office.
- Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office. "Stanislaus County Public Safety Center". Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office.
- Sutter County Sheriff's Office. "Sutter County Corrections". Sutter County Sheriff's Office.
- Tehama County Sheriff's Office. "Tehama County Jail Division". Tehama County Sheriff's Office.
- Trinity County Sheriff's Department. "Trinity County Sheriff's Department". Trinity County Sheriff's Department.
- Tulare County Sheriff's Office. "Tulare County Detention Facilities". Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
- Tulare County Sheriff's Office. "Tulare County Detention Facilities". Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
- Tulare County Sheriff's Office. "Tulare County Detention Facilities". Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
- Tulare County Sheriff's Office. "Tulare County Detention Facilities". Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
- Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office. "Tuolumne County Custody Division". Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office.
- Ventura County Sheriff's Office. "Todd Road Jail". Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
- Ventura County Sheriff's Office. "Ventura County Detention Services". Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
- Yolo County Sheriff's Office. "Yolo County Jail Centers". Yolo County Sheriff's Office.
- Yolo County Sheriff's Office. "Yolo County Jail Centers". Yolo County Sheriff's Office.
- Yuba County Sheriff's Office. "Yuba County Jail". Yuba County Sheriff's Office.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Yuba County Jail". U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Archived from the original on 2020-06-05.
- Alpine County Sheriff's Office. "Alpine County Sheriff's Office". Alpine County Sheriff's Office.
- Sierra County Sheriff's Office. "Sierra County Jail". Sierra County Sheriff's Office.