Before Your First Visit to Santa Rita: Criminal-history Rules Families Need to Know

Antes de ir a Santa Rita, verifique su situación reciente de custodia e historial penal. Las reglas de visitas de la instalación requieren que algunas personas obtengan autorización previa del Commanding Officer (o su designado) antes de visitar. Esto se aplica a cualquiera confinado en el Alameda County Jail System en los últimos seis meses - la autorización puede ser escrita o verbal. También se aplica a personas con ciertas condenas: un delito grave violento, haber introducido contrabando en una cárcel, un delito grave no violento en los últimos tres años, o cualquier delito grave que haya resultado en tiempo en una prisión estatal de California. ¿Está actualmente en libertad condicional o en parole del condado por un delito grave o un delito menor? También necesitará permiso por escrito.

Who Needs

• ✓ Confined in the Alameda County Jail System within the past 6 months - you can’t visit without prior written or verbal authorization from the Commanding Officer or their designee.

• ✓ Previously convicted of a violent felony - you won’t be allowed to visit without written permission from the Commanding Officer.

• ✓ Previously convicted of bringing contraband into a jail - you won’t be allowed to visit without written permission from the Commanding Officer.

• ✓ Convicted of a non-violent felony within the last 3 years - you won’t be allowed to visit without written permission from the Commanding Officer.

• ✓ Previously convicted of a felony and confined in a California state prison - you won’t be allowed to visit without written permission from the Commanding Officer.

• ✓ Previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and currently on county probation or parole - you won’t be allowed to visit without written permission from the Commanding Officer.

En Santa Rita, “permission” significa autorización del Commanding Officer (o su designado). La norma es más clara para las personas que estuvieron confinadas en el Alameda County Jail System en los últimos seis meses - necesitan autorización previa, ya sea escrita o verbal. Para las categorías basadas en condenas y en libertad condicional/parole, la política exige permiso por escrito del Commanding Officer. El proceso exacto para solicitar la autorización no está detallado en las reglas, así que llame a la instalación para confirmar antes de presentarse.

1. Check whether you fall into a permission-required category - Look closely at the timeframes (last 6 months for Alameda County Jail System confinement; last 3 years for a non-violent felony) and whether you’re currently on county probation or parole.
2. Use the Santa Rita Jail Ombudsperson if you need help - You can contact the Ombudsperson by submitting an online form or by leaving a voicemail at 510-667-4373.
3. Include the details they ask for - Provide your name, your phone number, the incarcerated person’s name and Personal File Number (PFN), a brief description of your issue/concern, and whether you’ve tried to resolve it already (and what happened).
4. Confirm the approval method before you travel - Because the rule references Commanding Officer authorization (and sometimes specifies written permission), ask what proof you should bring or have on file so you aren’t turned away at check-in.

If Unsure

• ✓ Write down the basics before you call or message: conviction type (felony vs. misdemeanor), whether it was violent or non-violent, and the approximate dates (especially “within the last 3 years” and “within the last 6 months”).
• ✓ If you’re on county probation or parole now, assume you’ll need written permission and get guidance before you go.
• ✓ Reach out for help instead of guessing - the Santa Rita Jail Ombudsperson can be contacted through an online form or by voicemail.