Otay Mesa Detention Facility, CA

Visiting Otay Mesa Detention Facility takes some planning, especially your first time. For detainee information, call (619) 671-8700 Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Need to post bond? That's handled 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (local time where the detainee is held). Many California facilities use an online portal for scheduling—you'll create or claim an account, sign in, pick your visit type and time slot, then confirm. Do this before you travel. Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, and make sure you're on the detainee's approved visiting list. Visit types and sign-up windows vary by location.

Otay Mesa Detention Facility doesn't allow incoming calls to detainees—you can't call someone there directly. For urgent messages, call (619) 671-8700 with the detainee's full name, alien registration (A) number, and your name and phone number so staff can notify them. The facility provides tablets, and you can send non-confidential electronic messages through the GettingOut website. One tip: California is transitioning to a statewide communications provider, so setting up an account on the department's communications platform now means you'll be ready when video or electronic messaging options become available.

Need to handle money matters for someone at Otay Mesa Detention Facility? Start with the Cash Electronic Bonds (CeBonds) webpage—it's used to verify bond information, post bonds for eligible detainees, and receive electronic notifications. Bond posting is only available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the time zone where the detainee is held, so plan accordingly. Before posting, the obligor should review the Bond Agreement (Form I-352) carefully—it spells out the bond's terms and conditions. For everyday support (commissary, phone time, hygiene items), facilities typically accept online/mobile deposits, phone deposits, lobby kiosks, or U.S. Postal money orders depending on the vendor. Double-check the detainee's full name and booking/ID, follow vendor instructions, and never mail cash.

The main way to get detainee information for Otay Mesa Detention Center is by phone. Call (619) 671-8700 Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before calling, gather complete identifying details—first and last name (including hyphenated names), known aliases, date of birth, and country of birth. This helps staff find the right person quickly. If you try an online search, use the official locator that matches the jurisdiction. County, state (CDCR), and federal systems cover different populations and update on different schedules. Third-party search sites can be outdated—for time-sensitive or legal matters, confirm custody with official sources. You can also sign up for statewide custody-notification services like VINE where available.