How to Contact Santa Rita’s Ombudsperson: What to Include, When to Call, and What They Can (and Can’t) Help With
Need help with an issue involving someone at Santa Rita Jail? The Ombudsperson can be a useful contact—if you reach out the right way for the right kind of problem. Here's what to send, when to call, and where to turn for emergencies or legal questions.
Santa Rita’s Ombudsperson is not an attorney and can’t help with legal matters. If your question is about a case, charges, court dates, or legal strategy, you’ll need to contact the incarcerated person’s attorney instead.
You can contact the Santa Rita Jail Ombudsperson in two ways: by submitting an online form or by leaving a voicemail at 510-667-4373.
The Ombudsperson's online form and voicemail are for non-emergency concerns only. This channel isn't monitored around the clock, so it's not the place for urgent situations. If someone at Santa Rita Jail is having an emergency, call the main jail line at 925-551-6500. For emergencies or crimes in progress, call 911. For non-emergencies that still need dispatch, reach Alameda County Sheriff's dispatch at 510-667-7721.
What to Include
- ✓ Your name
- ✓ Your phone number
- ✓ The incarcerated person’s name and Personal File Number (PFN)
- ✓ A brief description of the issue or concern
- ✓ Whether you’ve already tried to resolve the issue, and what happened
Important: Don't use the Ombudsperson form or voicemail for emergencies - it's not monitored 24/7. For urgent situations involving someone in custody, call the main jail line instead.
For medical concerns, Santa Rita directs people to use medical channels first. Incarcerated individuals should submit medical requests directly, and family members can contact the provider, Wellpath. The Ombudsperson can help with access issues related to medical care, but that doesn't replace filing a medical request through the proper process.
- Submit a health care grievance - The incarcerated person can send a grievance to the Jail Grievance Unit or to Wellpath, using their tablet or a paper form.
- Get a paper form if needed - Paper grievance forms can be obtained from the Housing Unit Deputy.
If the incarcerated person needs an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) evaluation, they can request one directly. Send a message through the tablet or use a paper form addressed to the Americans with Disabilities Unit asking to be evaluated.
The Ombudsperson channel isn't monitored 24/7 - don't rely on it for time-sensitive emergencies. If someone at Santa Rita Jail is in crisis, call the main jail line at 925-551-6500.
Tip: Submit only one form or leave one voicemail per issue or concern, and include the key details so your message can be routed and answered efficiently.
Sample Message Templates
- ✓ My name:
- ✓ My phone number:
- ✓ Incarcerated person’s name:
- ✓ Incarcerated person’s PFN:
- ✓ Brief description of the issue/concern:
- ✓ Attempts to resolve (and results):
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