Visiting Information of Todd Road – Jail Visiting

Pre-trial Visiting Hours

Visits are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Check-in begins one (1) hour prior to the session start time, with the exception of Sunday afternoon visiting from 1:30 to 4:30, check-in will begin 1 hour prior to this (Sunday afternoon) session:

The designations A, B, C, D, E, F, G, 3MS, Segregated Housing, and Special Housing are inmate housing locations. You must know where the inmate is housed before making any plans to visit. Because inmates are routinely re-housed in different areas, it is recommended you call before making your visit. (805) 654-3335.

Todd Road Visiting Hours

Must check in 30 minutes prior to the end of each session in order to visit. Visits are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Fill out a slip and take a number and wait for your number to be called. Have your I.D. ready.

• Inmates receive 2 – ½ hour visits per week
• Two visitors per visit. 2 adults or 1 adult 1 minor
• Visiting days are on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• There are four visiting sessions each day
• Our business hours are, 7 am – 5 pm Monday through Sunday
• Due to ongoing maintenance projects at Todd Road, inmates may be moved. Visiting times may change. It is advisable to call prior to your visit to verify visiting times.

Because inmates are routinely re-housed to different areas, it is recommended you call (805) 933-8501 before making your visit.

Inmate Visiting Guidelines

1. All persons entering any facility are subject to a search of their persons and property. Any person found violating any law will be arrested and prosecuted.

2. Any person that has been booked into the Ventura County Jail may not visit for one calendar year from the date of their release.

3. Visiting delays may occur due to emergencies within the facility.

4. Inmates receive two (2) thirty minute visits, which can consist of one or two adults, or one adult and one child, per week.

5. Only two persons may visit an inmate at one time (two adults, or one minor child and one adult).

6. Minor children must be accompanied by either the child’s parent, grandparent, or legal guardian. In addition, minors may not be left unattended anywhere on jail grounds. Evidence of parental rights or guardianship may be requested. The final decision to allow a visit by a minor child resides with the Facility Sergeant.

7. Photo identification is required. Photo identification is defined as:

• A valid driver’s license issued by a government agency;
• An identification card issued by a government agency;
• A military identification card issued by a government agency;
• A valid/current passport;
• A valid/current immigration identification card issued by a government agency;
• Other forms of valid photo identification may be accepted, based upon the discretion of the Facility Sergeant

8. No food, beverages, or smoking is allowed inside the visiting area.

• All visitors must adhere to the following dress code:
• Shirt and shoes are required. No sandals;
• No sheer, see-through, or provocative clothing allowed;
• No strapless or midriff tops are permitted;
• Clothing that is deemed inappropriate by facility staff may have the decision reviewed by the Facility Sergeant;
• Refusal to comply with this dress code may result in the visit being denied or terminated.

9. The following items are ALLOWED in the visiting area:

• Personal key ring;
• Personal identification;
• One baby bottle and/or blanket (if bringing in an infant)

10. The following are NOT allowed in the visiting area:

• Purses, wallets, backpacks, diaper bags, infant carriers, strollers,
cell phones;
• Books, magazines, newspapers, pictures, or other miscellaneous papers;
• Candy, food, cigarettes, matches, lighters, pens, pencils;
• Cameras

Possession of items not allowed in the visiting area may result in your visit being terminated. Facility staff will not “hold” any item for you and there are no storage lockers available.

Inmate Mail Guidelines

All incoming mail, postcards, books, newspapers, and periodicals must be delivered through the US Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, DHL, or UPS. Incoming mail must be properly addressed with the inmate’s name and booking number, and mailed to: PO Box 6929, Ventura, CA 93006.

When ordering the Ventura County Star to be delivered to an inmate (regardless of facility), use the following address: 800 S. Victoria Ave. Jail, Ventura, CA 93009.

Booking numbers may be obtained by clicking here, or calling 805 654 3335.

All incoming material, except confidential (legal) mail, shall be processed through the Detention Services mail system and screened by Detention Services security personnel to ensure appropriate security measures are observed. The security screening occurs to prevent contraband and/or sensitive material from being introduced into the jail system.

Click here to view the Inmate Mail Guidelines document.

Checks

Only government checks from local, state, or federal government entities are accepted, and only if they are in an official envelope from the issuing agency.

Mail Guidelines

1. Enveloped mail and postcards are both acceptable forms of incoming mail for inmates in custody at any Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Jail facility.

2. How can mail be sent to an inmate? All incoming mail must be delivered through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercially licensed mail carrier. Mail cannot be dropped off at any jail facility.

3. How does incoming mail need to be addressed? All incoming mail must be clearly addressed with the inmate’s name, booking number, and the mailing address of P.O. Box 6929, Ventura, CA 93006.

4. How does outgoing mail need to be addressed? All outgoing mail must have the proper return address information including the inmate’s name, booking number, location of Ventura County Jail, and return address of P.O. Box 6929, Ventura, CA., 93006 written in the upper left corner on the address side. Any outgoing mail not containing the proper return address information will be returned to the inmate for correction.

5. How much mail can an inmate send or receive? Inmates can send and receive as much mail as they want.

6. What if an inmate has no money? One postage paid postcard and one postage paid envelope with 2 sheets of paper will be provided weekly to inmates who have no funds, or insufficient funds, in their trust account.

7. Do inmates need to purchase stamps for the Commissary postcards? No. The price of the postcards includes postage.

8. Can inmates send greeting cards purchased from Commissary? Yes. Greeting cards purchased through the Commissary will be allowed to be mailed out.

9. How will an inmate know if mail was unacceptable? In all cases of rejected mail, the inmate and sender will receive a copy of a “Contents Unacceptable” form, generated by the Detention Services mailroom.

10. Is it legal to restrict letters and photos? Yes. California Penal Code Section 2601 and Title 15, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1063, 1066, and 1068 allow for modification and restrictions to the type of mail accepted within jail facilities.

11. What about governmental documents? Marriage certificates, birth certificates or other documents mailed to or sent from an official government agency/office will be accepted through the mail.

Sending Books to an Inmate

Inmates may only receive softbound books sent directly from the publisher or authorized retail distributor. Inmates are limited in the amount of personal property they may keep in their cells. An inmate’s personal books, magazines, newspapers and mail must be able to fit in his or her commissary box.

This limitation does not apply to the inmate’s legal mail. Inmates are responsible to keep track of their available property space when ordering any materials, including books. Excess property will be removed from the cell and stored with the inmate’s other property.

In addition, if an inmate would like a religious book (Bible, Koran, etc.), a request may be submitted to the Chaplain and one will be provided to the inmate. No hard or spiral bound books will be accepted.

Emailing an Inmate

Members of the community who are interested in sending an email to an inmate may do so via the Sheriff’s website, www.vcsd.org. Click on the “VCSD Jail – Inmate Information” icon and complete the form to locate the inmate.

Once the inmate’s record has been located, the community member will be able to click on the button “email” and register their billing and contact information and send the email.

The email program was designed to provide a contemporary and efficient means for information to be shared with an inmate. The email will be printed and delivered to the inmate; however the inmate will not be able to respond electronically.

Inmates are able to contact members of the community via US Mail in the form of postcards, letters, greeting cards, or by telephone, or weekly visits.

In the initial phase of this program, only text will be allowed. Each email has a maximum of 4500 characters (equivalent to one page). The emails are available in quantities of:

• 1 ($1.00 + 1.50 processing fee),
• 5 ($5.00 + 1.50 processing fee),
• 10 ($10.00 + 1.50 processing fee),
• 25 ($23.75 + 1.50 processing fee), and
• 50 ($45.00 + 1.50 processing fee).

Each inmate may receive 5 emails per day, per sender.

Receiving / Not Receiving Telephone Calls

If you cannot receive telephone calls from inmates, or would like to block your number so that inmates cannot call you, call (866)-230-7761.

Posting Bail

Bail may be posted at the Pre-Trial Detention facility (800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura) under the following conditions:

• Cash – Exact amount
• Cashier’s check – made payable to the Ventura County Superior Court. For out of county matters, checks should be made payable to that jurisdiction.
• Certified check – made payable to the Ventura County Superior Court
• Money order – made payable to the Ventura County Court
• Bail bond
• Credit Card / Debit Card – Click here to use a credit/debit card to post an inmate’s bail online at GovPayNet or over the phone at 1 (888) 604-7888 (Please use PLC # 6404).

My Family Member with a Mental Illness Has Been Arrested What Do I Do?

NAMI Ventura County is an affiliate of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Founded in 1981, NAMI Ventura County has become the community’s voice on mental illness. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families.

Click here for the NAMI Information Guide PDF

Click here for the Inmate Mental Health Information Form PDF

How Do I Setup a Prepaid Calling Account for an Inmate?

Family members and friends of inmates can set up an AdvancePay™ prepaid calling account for their respective telephone numbers using credit cards, money orders, checks or through Western Union. Calls that may otherwise be blocked can now be completed through GTL’s AdvancePay™ program.

My Family Member Is a United States Military Veteran and Has Been Arrested – What Can I Do?

The Ventura Superior Court has established a Veterans Court for United States Military Veterans under California Penal Code 1170.9. Defendants or their attorneys can request cases involving veterans be heard in the Veterans Court held every Monday at 3pm Courtroom 35 or 37. The court works with several agencies and community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans.