East Mesa Detention Facility

Visiting East Mesa Detention Facility starts with scheduling. Video visits must be reserved at least one day in advance through the SmartInmate/Smart Communications portal. You'll need to create an account before booking. EMRF offers video visitation seven days a week in 30-minute sessions, and incarcerated people can have two video visits per week. For in-person social visits, call the Custody Information line at (619) 409-5000. Reservations are handled Wednesday through Sunday, 6:30am to 6:00pm. The online portal lets you claim or create an account, sign in with your visitor ID or email, and reset your password if needed. Bring a valid government photo ID and confirm you're on the approved visiting list before making the trip.

Staying in touch with someone at East Mesa Detention Facility is possible by phone and video. Phone calls from San Diego County jails have been free since July 1, 2021, with each call limited to 15 minutes. Because of a provider change, calls may show up as 727‑349‑1561 on your phone. Some carriers flag this number as spam, so save it to your contacts or unblock it. Calls are recorded by default unless the receiving number is registered in the Detention Investigations Unit (DIU) Do Not Record database. East Mesa began offering video visitation through the SMART Communications system on January 8, 2024. You'll generally need to create an account and follow the platform's steps to schedule and fund visits.

Sending money to someone at East Mesa Detention Facility starts with confirming their full name and booking or facility ID, then choosing a deposit method the facility accepts. Common options include online or mobile portals, phone deposits, lobby kiosks, and U.S. Postal money orders, though availability varies by facility and vendor. Money in a trust account covers commissary purchases, phone time, hygiene items, and other permitted expenses. Some deposits may be reduced by court-ordered restitution or other authorized deductions. Don't mail cash. Most facilities refuse it and send it back. Before paying, check vendor fees and posting times. Under California law, profits from commissary sales go into the Incarcerated Persons' Welfare Fund (Penal Code 4025).