How to Visit Imperial County Jail (CA)

Bring a current, government-issued photo ID to sign up and check in. Staff look for three things: your name, date of birth, and a photograph. If anything is missing or your ID is expired, you'll be turned away before the visit even starts. Check your expiration date before you leave home.

At RADF (Main Jail), you sign up for visits in person on the day of your visit. Sign-ups run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Timing matters. You need to sign up at least one hour before the scheduled visit time, and it's first come, first serve. Inmates are entitled to a minimum of two visits per week, totaling one hour per inmate, so slots can fill up fast.

Each inmate can have a maximum of two visitors at a time. If you're bringing kids, any child who can walk counts as one of those two visitors. Babies in arms don't count toward the limit, but there's still a cap: no more than two babies in arms per inmate.

1. Check your ID before you leave: Bring a valid, current (not expired) government ID with your name, date of birth, and photo.
2. Go to RADF (Main Jail) on the day you want to visit: Sign-ups are done in person.
3. Sign up during the posted window: At RADF, sign-up starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. on the day of visits.
4. Meet the one-hour requirement: Sign up at least one hour before the scheduled visit time.
5. Plan for first come, first serve: Visits are allocated on a first-come basis, so earlier sign-up gives you a better shot.

• ✓ Keep your group size within the limit (maximum of two visitors per inmate)
• ✓ Count children correctly: a child who can walk counts as one visitor
• ✓ If you are bringing infants, remember babies in arms do not count as visitors, but there can be no more than two babies in arms per inmate
• ✓ Dress for the posted rules and expect to be searched (no low-cut shirts, short shorts, tank tops, see-through clothing, skirts/dresses shorter than mid-thigh, spaghetti straps, or strapless clothing)

Inmates at Imperial County Jail are entitled to a minimum of two visits per week, totaling one hour per inmate. If you're hoping for more time, plan around that weekly allowance.

Before you head over, call to confirm the current RADF sign-up window (7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), the one-hour-advance sign-up rule, and that it's still first come, first serve. Double-check that your government ID will be accepted and that it must be current (not expired).

Confirm visitor limits for your situation, especially if you're bringing children. The rule: two visitors per inmate, walking children count as visitors, and babies in arms don't count (up to two babies in arms per inmate). Also verify the current dress code and search expectations before you go. Enforcement can be strict, and policies sometimes change.