Address: | 260 N Spring St, Blythe, CA 92225 Map |
Phone: | (760) 921-5780 |
Website: | Riverside County Sheriff: Blythe Jail |
Blythe Jail is one of five correctional facilities operating in Riverside County, CA. Built in 1964, the Blythe Detention Center houses adult men and women accused of misdemeanor and felony crimes, as well as those serving post-conviction sentences.
The Blythe, CA, jail is located near the California-Arizona border off of I-10. The small, agricultural town of Blythe is about an hour east of Joshua Tree.
For the benefit of friends and family members of those currently held in the Blythe Jail, detailed information is provided below. Topics covered by our team of California criminal defense lawyers include the following:
- 1. How do I search for an inmate in Riverside County?
- 2. How do I post bail at the Blythe Detention Center?
- 3. Can I call an inmate?
- 4. How do I put money on an inmate’s account?
- 5. What are the visiting hours and policies?
- 6. Can inmates send and receive mail?
- 7. What is life like at the Blythe Jail?
- 8. Is there a work release option?
- 9. How can an inmate’s property be collected?
1. How do I search for an inmate in Riverside County?
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department provides an online inmate search engine that you can use to see if your loved one is currently a “guest” of the Blythe Jail. By inputting the last name, you can call up a list of potential inmates, who are identified by birthdate, height/weight, and date and place of arrest. The website also provides each inmate’s booking number, criminal charges, and bail options, if any.
2. How do I post bail at the Blythe Detention Center?
Currently, friends and family members can post a bail bond (or use the services of a bail bondsman) to obtain temporary release for a Blythe Jail detainee. Riverside County courts provide a bail schedule indicating amounts typically used for various felony and misdemeanor charges.
3. Can I call an inmate?
The Blythe Detention facility does not accept incoming phone calls from family and friends. Detainees and inmates can make collect calls or a loved one can arrange payment for phone communication. This jail has contracted with Securustech.net to facilitate inmate phone calls, both collect and by monthly billing. Note that fees will be charged for all calls.
4. How do I put money on an inmate’s account?
Blythe inmates can purchase snacks, hygiene products and writing materials, and may also need funds to pay medical co-pays. Friends and family can provide money in one of several ways:
- Online – Go to the Access Corrections website to set up a credit/debit card account. (The Riverside Sheriff’s department provides answers to FAQs here.) You can provide funds 24 hours a day. You can also order a care pack through the Access Securepak catalog. There is a $30 weekly limit for these orders.
- Telephone — Call Access Corrections at (866) 345-1884 to provide funds. Bilingual agents are available 24 hours a day.
- Jail Kiosk – You can make a cash or credit card deposit for an inmate at any Riverside County correctional facility. At Blythe, the kiosk machine is available daily from 8 a.m. through 11 p.m. Note: the kiosk does not provide change or accept anything smaller than a $5 bill.
All three of the above cash account funding methods charge a fee for the service, the jail kiosks being least expensive to use. In all cases, a booking number is necessary for transactions.
You can also send funds in to the jail by mail. Money orders only are accepted, which should include the name and booking order on the face.
5. What are the visiting hours and policies?
Blythe inmates are permitted two 45-minute visits per week. All visits to the jail must be scheduled one day ahead. Call (951) 341-8888 during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to schedule a Blythe Jail visit. Parking is plentiful in the front of the facility. Due to Covid-19, all visitors must wear a mask prior to entering the building, and must follow social-distancing guidelines.
Visiting hours at Blythe Detention Center are determined by the inmate’s “tank number.” Available time slots for visitation are as follows:
Tank A — Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., and 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., and 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tank B — Tuesdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Tank C — Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Tank D-1 — Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Tank D-2 — Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tank D-3 — Wednesdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m and Saturdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Tank E-1 — Mondays 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Fridays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tank E-2 — Mondays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. and Fridays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Tank F — Thursdays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Sundays 4:30 -5:30 p.m. and 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Note that appointments only allow for two visitors at a time, due to physical distancing rules. Visitors must be present to check in 15 minutes before the appointed visiting time.
Other visitation rules include:
- Valid government-issued ID is required
- Visitors may be subject to a search by correctional staff of their person and belongings and are subject to arrest and warrant checks.
- Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
- Due to Covid-19, all visitors will receive a temperature screening before entering the facility.
- No smoking , food or drink in the lobby or visitation area
- Dress appropriately, which means no clothes displaying gang affiliation or lewd or offensive content. No body-revealing clothing. (Skirts must come to mid-thigh or longer.)
6. Can inmates send and receive mail?
You can send an unlimited amount of mail to your loved one and he or she is permitted to post return correspondence as well. All mail will be inspected to intercept contraband, threats or security issues. Legal mail is opened and inspected in front of the addressee.
Envelopes must contain a complete return address with your full name. They should be addressed as shown:
Inmate Name & Booking Number
Blythe Jail
P.O. Box 1270
Blythe, CA 92226
(The inmate’s booking number can be obtained through the County inmate search function).
Note that there is a lengthy list of items considered contraband for incoming mail at Riverside County correctional facilities. Generally, envelopes and stationary should be plain, white, and unadorned, and gifts cannot be sent by mail to inmates. You can order softcover books, magazines and periodicals to be delivered directly from a vendor. Forbidden topics include sexually-oriented material, incitement to violence or anything concerning unlawful gambling.
7. What is life like at the Blythe Jail?
In recent years, the Blythe correctional facility and other Riverside County jails have been plagued by severe overcrowding. There have been specific complaints reported about lack of onsite medical personnel available to Blythe Jail inmates.
Riverside County complies with the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) and states a zero tolerance policy for sexual abuse in jail. This online form is provided to submit a complain regarding sexual harassment or abuse.
8. Is there a work release option?
Inmates may be allowed to participate in part-time or full-time work release programs. There are a number of government agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide work opportunities for inmates granted work release privileges.
Full time work release is five days a week, 8-10 hours a day and part-time is two days a week. For more details, see full time or part time work release for Riverside County.
Another alternative offered in Riverside County is supervised electronic release. Participants wear an ankle transmitter and are confined to their home either full time or part-time.
9. How can an inmate’s property be collected?
Inmates can sign a personal property release to allow you to pick up their stored property. Property can be picked up daily from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. When you arrive at the lobby, use the phone there to contact a deputy for assistance. Photo identification will be required.
You may be allowed to drop off some clothing for your loved one, prescription medication or other important items. Contact the facility for more information on this.