Oakland Jail Inmate Search

Oakland inmate population records go through the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Oakland does not run its own jail. People arrested by Oakland police transfer to the county jail system for holding. Alameda County operates Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, which is the main facility serving Oakland and every other city in the county. You can search for current inmates online through the sheriff's free lookup tool. This page walks through how to use that tool, what data is available, and other options for finding Oakland inmates.

Alameda County Inmate Lookup

Alameda County manages all jail custody for Oakland. The sheriff's office runs an online inmate search at the Alameda County Inmate Search page. Enter a last name to start. Adding a first name helps narrow down the results. The search shows all people currently in Alameda County custody. Each record lists the inmate's name, booking date, charges, bail amount, and housing location. If someone was arrested in Oakland, they will show up here once they reach the county jail.

Santa Rita Jail in Dublin is the main Alameda County facility. It sits about 25 miles east of Oakland and holds most of the county's inmate population. The facility has a rated capacity of around 4,000 beds. Glenn Dyer Jail in downtown Oakland handles intake and short-term holds. This is where Oakland Police usually bring people right after arrest. The person goes through booking at Glenn Dyer and then either stays there briefly or transfers to Santa Rita. Most inmates end up at Santa Rita within a day or so. The online search covers both facilities.

The Alameda County Sheriff's inmate search page is shown below.

Call the Alameda County Sheriff at (925) 551-6500 if you need help with the search or cannot find someone online.

Oakland City Holding

Oakland does not have a city jail in the traditional sense. The Oakland Police Department uses Glenn Dyer Jail for initial processing, but the sheriff runs that facility. OPD officers bring arrested people to Glenn Dyer for booking. From there, the county takes over. If you need to ask about someone just arrested in Oakland before they appear in the county system, call OPD at (510) 238-3455. They can tell you about recent arrests and whether the person has been transported yet.

Other cities in Alameda County follow the same pattern. Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and all other cities send their arrests through the county system. Everyone ends up at Glenn Dyer or Santa Rita. One system handles the whole county's inmate population.

California Statewide Options

CIRIS is the California state prison search tool. If someone from Oakland was sentenced to state prison, CIRIS shows their location. It covers all 34 state prisons run by CDCR. The tool is free. Search by name or inmate number. CIRIS does not include county jail inmates. It only covers state prison. If you are looking for someone in local custody in Oakland, use the Alameda County search instead.

VINELink is a statewide notification system that covers every county in California. It works well for Oakland searches because it includes Alameda County. Search by name and check custody status. You can also set up alerts. VINE will call, text, or email you when an inmate's status changes. This is helpful for victims and family members who want to know when someone gets released from Oakland area custody. Call 1-877-411-5588 for VINE by phone. The BSCC Jail Profile Survey provides monthly jail population data for Alameda County and all California counties.

Note: Try the county search first. Use CIRIS for state prison. Use VINE when you do not know where the person is.

Oakland Inmate Records Access

Booking records for Oakland inmates are public under California law. Government Code 6254(f) requires law enforcement to release arrest and booking data. The Alameda County Sheriff posts this through the online inmate search. Names, charges, bail, and booking dates are all available. You do not need to explain why you want the information. Anyone can look it up.

Criminal history records are restricted in California. Penal Code 11105 limits access to full criminal records. Only the person, law enforcement, and certain authorized agencies can see them. To get your own record in Oakland, find a Live Scan fingerprinting location and pay $25 to the DOJ. Alameda County has many Live Scan sites. The East Bay Community Law Center in Berkeley offers free legal help for Oakland residents who need to clear records or understand expungement options. The Alameda County Public Defender at 1401 Lakeside Drive in Oakland can also help with record-related questions.

Visiting Oakland Area Inmates

Santa Rita Jail in Dublin allows visits on a regular schedule. Each housing unit has set days and times. You need a valid photo ID. Video visits are available and can be booked online through the sheriff's approved provider. In-person visits at Santa Rita happen in designated areas. Glenn Dyer Jail in downtown Oakland has limited visiting since it handles short-term holds. Check the Alameda County Sheriff's website for current visiting hours at both facilities.

Phone calls from Alameda County jail carry fees. The contracted provider handles billing. Families can put money on an inmate's phone account online. State prison calls in California are free since January 2023, but county calls are not. Mail goes to the facility where the inmate is held. For Santa Rita, the address is 5325 Broder Boulevard, Dublin, CA 94568. Write the inmate's full name and booking number on the envelope. The county allows electronic messages and commissary deposits through its approved service. Details are on the sheriff's inmate services page.

Nearby City Inmate Records

Cities near Oakland share the Alameda County jail system or sit across the bay. Search inmate records for these areas below.

For full county jail details, see the Alameda County inmate population page.