Vista Detention Facility

Start by choosing your visit type. For video visits, Vista uses SmartInmate/Smart Communications. You'll need to create an account at smartjailmail.com before scheduling. For in-person social visits, call the Sheriff's custody/visit central at (619) 409-5000 to reserve a spot. Phone reservations are generally available Wednesday through Sunday, and some San Diego reservation lines list hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Confirm the exact hours on Vista's facility page before heading out. The typical process: create or claim your online scheduling account, sign in, pick a visit type and time, then confirm. Bring a valid, unexpired government photo ID and make sure you're on the approved visiting list.

Expecting a call from Vista Detention Facility? Check your caller ID for 727-349-1561. Some carriers filter or label these calls as spam, so you may need to adjust your spam settings to avoid missing them. For general questions or to reserve an in-person social visit, call the custody and visit central line at (619) 409-5000. Phone reservations are available Wednesday through Sunday during the facility's posted scheduling hours. Video visitation runs through SmartInmate (Smart Communications). You'll need to create an account on the provider's platform before scheduling. Be ready to add funds to the prepaid or video feature when required, and note that some services may be transitioning between providers.

Vista Detention Facility accepts deposits through the San Diego Sheriff Commissary e-commerce website, which also lets you purchase gift packs to send. Money in an incarcerated person's trust account covers commissary items like food, hygiene products, stationery, reading glasses, and other permitted personal items. Those items get delivered directly to the housing unit. Commissary profits go into the Incarcerated Persons' Welfare Fund, supporting the benefit, education, and welfare of incarcerated people under California Penal Code 4025. Before sending funds, confirm the person's full name and booking or facility ID, then follow the deposit method listed by the vendor. Don't mail cash. Keep in mind that posting times and fees can affect when funds become available.