How to Request a Visit & Plan Your Time at Shasta County Jail

Visiting someone at Shasta County Jail takes a bit of planning. Your visitation request must be received at least 7 days before your visit, and the jail won't accept requests more than 30 days out. Once submitted, your request goes through a review. If approved, you'll get an email with your assigned 30-minute time slot - based on the housing unit you're visiting.

Before submitting anything, check the visitation schedule for the housing unit where your person is housed. The jail specifically asks visitors to confirm the correct visitation days before requesting. This one step saves real frustration - request the wrong day for that unit, and you could wait longer than expected to get a workable time.

Plan around the jail's 7–30 day window. Requests must arrive at least 7 days before your visit date, and the jail won't accept anything more than 30 days in advance. If you're planning ahead, submit once you're inside that 30-day mark - early enough to clear the 7-day minimum, but not so early your request gets rejected.

After you submit, the jail reviews your request. If approved, you'll get an email with your assigned time. Visits run in 30-minute slots, and the time you receive depends on the housing unit - so even if you have a preference, expect the final slot to be assigned during approval.

Visiting Windows

• ✓ Daily visiting windows: 7:30 to 11:30 am
• ✓ Daily visiting windows: 6:00 to 10:00 pm
• ✓ Weekends only (additional window): 12:30 to 4:30 pm

The weekend 12:30 to 4:30 pm window is helpful if you work weekdays, have school pickup, or can't make morning or evening hours. When picking dates to request, keep those weekend afternoons in mind as an option beyond the daily morning and evening slots.

Planning Tips

• ✓ Watch for the approval email, since it includes your assigned 30-minute visit time
• ✓ Plan your day around a 30-minute visit slot (plus extra time on your end for travel and check-in)
• ✓ Bring a valid photo ID and arrive early so you’re not rushed
• ✓ Keep the inmate’s basic details handy when you’re organizing your visit

1. Re-check the housing-unit visitation schedule - Make sure you’re requesting a day that’s actually a visiting day for the inmate’s housing unit.
2. Confirm your timing - Your request must be received at least 7 days before the visit date, and it can’t be more than 30 days in advance.
3. If you’re outside the window, pick a new date and resubmit - Choose a date that falls within the 7–30 day range so your request can be accepted.
4. Monitor your email for the decision and assigned time - Approved requests are sent by email, and that message tells you the 30-minute slot you’ve been assigned.