How to Contact an Inmate at Placer Jail, Auburn, CA (CA)

Placer Jail offers a few ways to add money for an inmate, and timing matters. By phone, you can make deposits through Smart Deposit/Access Corrections at 866-394-0490. In person, Smart Deposit kiosks in the jail lobbies accept cash, credit cards, and permanent bank ATM/debit cards. Money orders or cashier's checks work too, up to $150 each. Make them payable to the inmate, include the inmate's jail ID number, and either mail them or drop them in the jail lobby drop-box. One key detail: deposits have to be made by midnight on Mondays to be included in that week's delivery.

If you plan to visit at the Auburn facility, start by planning around check-in. All personal visitors must check in at least 30 minutes before the visit start time. Bring an accepted ID. The jail accepts: a driver's license with photo, military ID with photo, passport with photo, immigration card, or state ID card with photo. Notably, expired versions of these IDs may still be valid. Expect security screening and monitoring. No cell phones, computers, tablets, or smartphones are allowed in any visiting area. Personal visiting phones are monitored and recorded. You'll go through a walk-through metal detector and need to remove metal items (including jewelry) before entering. Refuse to comply with required search procedures, and you won't be permitted in.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Add money by phone through Smart Deposit/Access Corrections at 866-394-0490.
• ✓ Use the Smart Deposit kiosks in the jail lobbies if you are depositing in person (they accept cash, credit cards, and permanent bank ATM/debit cards).
• ✓ If using mail or the lobby drop-box, use a money order or cashier’s check (up to $150 each) payable to the inmate and include the inmate’s jail ID number.
• ✓ Submit deposits by midnight on Monday if you want them included in that week’s delivery.

• ✓ Check in at least 30 minutes before the visit start time.
• ✓ Bring one of these IDs: driver’s license with photo, military ID with photo, passport with photo, immigration card, or state ID card with photo (the jail notes these IDs may be expired and still be valid).
• ✓ Leave all electronics behind, including cell phones, computers, tablets, and smartphones. They are not allowed in any visiting area.
• ✓ Expect that personal visiting phones are monitored and recorded.
• ✓ Go through the walk-through metal detector and remove metal items (including jewelry) before entering.
• ✓ Follow all search procedures. Refusal means you will not be allowed to enter.

Depositing money for commissary? Verify the deadline first. Placer Jail lists a cutoff of midnight on Mondays for deposits to be included in that week's delivery. Confirming that timing can save you a full week of waiting.

Before visiting, confirm the check-in requirement and which IDs are being accepted. The Auburn facility requires visitors to check in at least 30 minutes before the visit start time and lists several acceptable photo IDs. Expired IDs may still be valid, but it's worth verifying. Also confirm the on-site expectations so you're not turned away at the door. Electronics are not allowed in visiting areas, personal visiting phones are monitored and recorded, and all visitors must go through a walk-through metal detector and comply with search procedures.

• ✓ Whether phone deposits through Smart Deposit/Access Corrections at 866-394-0490 are currently available.
• ✓ Whether the lobby Smart Deposit kiosks are operating and which payment types they are accepting (cash, credit cards, permanent bank ATM/debit cards).
• ✓ Whether money orders or cashier’s checks can still be mailed or placed in the lobby drop-box for commissary use, and whether the limit is still $150 each.