Why Your Loved One at Otay Mesa Can't Answer When You Call — and What You Can Do Instead

Detainees at Otay Mesa Detention Center cannot receive incoming phone calls. If you try dialing your loved one directly, the call simply won't connect.

This is one of the most frustrating parts of helping from the outside. Maybe you're calling to check that they're okay, share urgent family news, or handle something time-sensitive like a missed court date or a medical issue. Not being able to reach them in the moment can leave you feeling stuck. The good news: Otay Mesa does offer other ways to get information through, especially when it's urgent.

If you need information about someone housed at Otay Mesa, the facility directs people to call (619) 671-8700 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. That same number is also the way to leave an urgent message when you can't wait for your loved one to call you. To leave an urgent message, you'll need to provide the detainee's full name and alien registration number (A-number), plus your own name and a phone number where you can be reached. According to Otay Mesa's posted guidance, the detainee will be given your message. The key is making sure staff has enough identifying information to match your loved one correctly.

1. Call the facility during the posted hours - Use (619) 671-8700, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Say you need to leave an urgent message - This helps route your call the right way.
3. Provide the required details - Give the detainee’s full name and alien registration number (A-number), plus your name and the phone number where you can be reached.
4. Document the call - Ask for confirmation that the message will be delivered, then write down the date and time of the call and the staff member’s name.

Have Ready

• ✓ First, last, and any hyphenated names
• ✓ Any aliases they may use
• ✓ Date of birth
• ✓ Country of birth

For non-urgent communication, Otay Mesa states that tablets are available to detainees. The facility directs people to GettingOut for information on sending a non-confidential message. That word "non-confidential" matters. Treat any message sent this way as if it could be read by others, and avoid sharing sensitive details.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Call (619) 671-8700 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., especially if you need information about a detainee
• ✓ If it is urgent, leave a message by phone with the detainee’s full name and A-number, plus your name and a callback number
• ✓ Gather biographical details before you call (first, last, and hyphenated names; aliases; date of birth; country of birth)
• ✓ Use the facility tablet messaging option through GettingOut for non-confidential messages
• ✓ Keep a record of the date and time you called and the staff member’s name

Handling something time-sensitive? While you're on the phone, ask a couple of quick questions: how to confirm the message was routed correctly, and whether staff needs any additional information to identify your loved one. Write down what they tell you so you're not starting from scratch if you need to call back.