How to Contact an Inmate at Santa Ana Jail
If you need to reach someone held at Santa Ana Jail, start by confirming where they're housed. From there, you can use the jail's mail rules and visitation time slots to stay in touch.
First, figure out whether the arrest happened within Santa Ana city limits. Santa Ana Jail houses people arrested within those limits, and you can call (714) 245-8100 for information. If the person was arrested outside the city, or the situation involves the Orange County Superior Court, contact the arresting agency or Orange County Jail at (714) 647-4666. Knowing which agency has custody is the fastest way to avoid running in circles.
Mail sent to Santa Ana Jail needs to follow a specific address format. On the envelope, include the inmate's Last Name, First Name, Booking #, and Module & Cell #. Send it C/O Santa Ana Jail P.O. Box 22003 Santa Ana, CA 92701. Include your full sender name and return address. Keep the envelope clean: no extra writing, artwork, or markings on the outside. Anything like that can get your mail rejected.
Warning: Mail containing any of the following will not be delivered: foil or metal, glass, wood, hard plastic, rubber, hair, leaves or flowers, paperclips, jewelry, staples, whiteout, colored paper, stickers, tape, glue, paint, tobacco products, food, clothing, hygiene items, third-party letters, or anything larger than a legal-size piece of paper.
Books come with extra rules. Santa Ana Jail accepts new or used paperback books in good condition, but they must be mailed directly by the publisher or an accepted distributor (for example, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, costco.com, walmart.com). Amazon Marketplace vendors are not considered secure sources and are prohibited. Hardcover, vinyl, and leather-bound books are not allowed. Also, inmates can only have a maximum of five books or magazines at one time, so keep that limit in mind before sending anything.
Santa Ana Jail runs visitation on set time slots. Tuesday through Friday, slots are available at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Weekends offer more options. Saturday and Sunday slots are 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ If the arrest happened within Santa Ana city limits, call Santa Ana Jail at (714) 245-8100 to locate the person.
- ✓ If the arrest happened outside the city limits or at the Orange County Superior Court, contact the arresting agency or call the Orange County Jail at (714) 647-4666.
- ✓ Address the envelope exactly as required: Last Name, First Name, Booking #, Module & Cell #, C/O Santa Ana Jail P.O. Box 22003 Santa Ana, CA 92701.
- ✓ Include the inmate’s name and booking number, and include your own sender name and return address.
- ✓ Keep the outside of the envelope plain, no unnecessary writing, artwork, or markings.
- ✓ Avoid prohibited contents, including anything with foil or metal, stickers, tape, glue, staples, paperclips, tobacco, food, clothing, hygiene items, third-party letters, or items larger than a legal-size piece of paper.
- ✓ Send only paperback books in good condition.
- ✓ Make sure books come directly from the publisher or an accepted distributor (for example, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, costco.com, walmart.com). Do not use Amazon Marketplace vendors.
- ✓ Do not send hardcover, vinyl, or leather-bound books.
- ✓ Remember the limit: inmates may possess a maximum of five books or magazines.
- Pick a time slot that fits the day you’re going: Tuesday to Friday slots are 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Saturday to Sunday slots are 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.
- Confirm visitation details with the facility: Call ahead to make sure the time slot is still available and that you’re following the current visitation rules.
Before mailing anything or showing up to visit, confirm where the person is actually housed. If the arrest was within Santa Ana city limits, call Santa Ana Jail at (714) 245-8100. If it happened outside the city, or is connected to the Orange County Superior Court, check with the arresting agency or call Orange County Jail at (714) 647-4666.
- ✓ Confirm you have the correct booking number, and that you’re using the required address format (including Module & Cell #).
- ✓ Re-check that your envelope meets the jail’s rules (sender name and return address included, no extra markings).
- ✓ Ask about the current prohibited-items list before sending anything, especially items like stickers, tape, staples, paperclips, colored paper, or anything larger than legal-size paper.
- ✓ If you plan to send books, verify approved sources and that you’re only sending paperbacks (no hardcover, vinyl, or leather-bound).
- ✓ Confirm the possession limit of five total books or magazines, so your delivery does not get turned away if they’re already at the maximum.
Visitation runs on time slots, but availability can shift. Call ahead to confirm the current schedule for the day you plan to visit (weekday versus weekend), and check on any requirements that could affect whether your visit gets approved.
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