Tulare County Jail Info – Visiting, Bail, Contacting Inmates

Located in the Central California city of Visalia, CA, the Tulare County Main Jail is one of four detention centers operated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. This detention center houses individuals who have been charged with and sentenced for California misdemeanor and felony crimes. Other Visalia Correctional Centers include the Bob Wiley Detention Facility, the Men’s Correctional Facility and the Pre-Trial Facility.

According to a 2016 media article, Tulare County is known for having a consistently large inmate population, among the highest in the state of California. The Tulare Main Jail is situated close to the Sequoia National Forest, about 75 miles north of Bakersfield. The address and phone number of the jail are:

2404 West Burrel
Visalia CA 93291
(559) 636-4655

If you believe your friend or loved one may be a “guest” of the Visalia Jail, the information below may be of interest to you. Our team of California criminal defense lawyers provide key details on the following topics:

• 1. How to Locate a Potential Inmate
• 2. Tulare County Jail Bail Bonding
• 3. Phone Contact with Inmates
• 4. Cash Account Funding
• 5. Jail Visitation
• 6. Mail Policies at the Facility
• 7. Life in Detention
• 8. Inmate Property Retrieval

1. Tulare County Inmate Search

To confirm that your friend or relative has been booked in Tulare County, you can use the Sheriff’ online “Inmate Search” link. This page provides information on each individual in custody, including birthdate, criminal charge and classification, booking number and any bail bond amount granted. You can also call the jail directly at (559) 636-4655 to obtain specific information about your friend or loved one.

2. Bail Bonding

Many detainees at the Tulare County Jail will be granted the opportunity to gain temporary freedom through payment of a bail bond. You can determine the bail amount on the Tulare County Sheriff’s “Inmate Search” page or by calling the jail. You can also contact a bail bonding agency for assistance with paying bail. (Keep in mind, a bail bondsman will charge a nonrefundable fee for services rendered.)

3. Phone Policies in Tulare County

In keeping with California law, incoming detainees will be allowed to make free initial phone calls to family and friends (and/or in search of legal assistance). You will not be permitted to call into the Tulare County Detention Center to speak directly to an arrestee or inmate.

Generally, housed inmates will have daily access to telephones from which to make outgoing, collect calls. Phone calls can be funded with prepaid calling cards, which can be purchased through the jail canteen. You can also set up a pre-paid phone account through Global Tel Link at gtl.net, or call (800) 483-8314.

It is important to remain aware that all inmate phone calls at the Tulare County Correctional Facility will be subject to monitoring and recording. To avoid harming your friend or loved one’s case, this means it is very important to refrain from discussing pending criminal charges.

4. Inmate Cash Accounts

Tulare County Jail inmates are provided meals and basic supplies, but may purchase additional comfort items for weekly commissary delivery. There are a variety of options, including snacks, toiletries, stationary materials, boxers, reading glasses, and everyday medications.

Inmate cash accounts to fund commissary purchases start with cash found on the individual at the time of arrest. Additional deposits may be made by family members and friends in a few different ways:

• Lobby Kiosk – There is a TouchPay kiosk in the lobby of the Main Jail that accepts cash, credit and debit cards. The kiosk is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and is closed on Sunday.
• Online – You can make a deposit with a credit or debit card at touchpayonline.com. There will be a handling charge assessed for each transaction.
• Telephone – Call (866) 232-1899 to set up a TouchPay account and deposit funds.

Note: To make a deposit, you will need the “Jacket” ID number, which can be found on the County’s Inmate Search database. Inmate accounts must not exceed $200.

There is an additional option for providing your loved one access to upgraded items: you can purchase a care package from mycarepack.com for delivery to the Tulare Main Jail.

5. Tulare County Jail Visitation

There are two ways for family and friends to visit an inmate at the Tulare County Correctional Center:

In-person jail visits are not available at the Main Jail. Only the South County Detention Facilities offers in-person visitation at this time.

Tulare County visitation is only held online at the main jail. They are held daily from 7:45am until 10:30pm. You can schedule an appointment online. Appointments are available one day in advance, but no later than one week in advance.

The visiting hours are as follows: 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Visalia Jail visitors will need to present a driver’s license or other official photo ID, such as military ID or a passport.

Other Tulare County Visitation Rules are as follows:

• Check-in 15 minutes or more before your reserved visiting time.
• Minors under age 18 must be in the company of a parent or legal guardian.
• Visitors appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be denied entry.
• No inappropriate or disruptive conduct will be tolerated.

Dress code: Please dress conservatively for inmate visitation. Provocative, revealing or suggestive clothing may result in denied entry. Clothing should not display graphics including obscenity, gang insignia or colors, drugs, weapons or hate speech.

Off-Site Video Visits:

Remote video visits are another way to visit with your incarcerated loved one. You can visit a Tulare Detention Facility inmate from home using your personal or home computer or Android device. Video visitation is accessible seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

To participate in remote visitation, you will need a computer equipped with a camera and microphone, as well as high-speed internet service. An email account will be required in order to set up the account and to schedule visits.

Once your account is set up, you can schedule a visit online or confirm an inmate’s availability and schedule by calling the jail at (559) 636-4655. Remote visits are 30 minutes long, but there is no limit to the number of visits that may be scheduled. There is a charge of $15 for every 30-minute visiting session, with no refunds provided for missed visits.

Please remember: all in person and remote visits are monitored and recorded. Statements about an inmate’s case or circumstances leading to arrest are potentially incriminating, and should always be avoided.

6. Mail Policies

Tulare County Detention Facility inmates can receive (and send) an unlimited amount of personal mail. Writing materials and stamped envelopes are available for inmate purchase through commissary.

All incoming envelopes should include a full return address, including first and last name, and should be addressed as follows:

Inmate’s Name – First, Last, and ID number
Tulare County Main Jail
36714 Road 112
Visalia, CA 93291

There are a number of postal delivery items that are considered contraband and not accepted for inmates at the Visalia Detention Center. These include (and are not limited to):

• Cash, checks or money orders
• Postage stamps, blank paper or any other correspondence supplies
• Polaroid photographs
• Multilayered greeting cards including those with music or pop-ups
• Items enhanced with arts and crafts materials such as glitter, thick crayon or glue
• Items containing metal, glass, wood, foil, rubber, hard plastic
• Nude photos or any sexually explicit material
• Any material related to gang activity or advocating violence, crime, or racial hatred
• Any item concerning unlawful gambling or unlawful lottery
• Material promoting hostility or deemed a potential security threat
• Material that depicts or may incite violence, racially motivated hate crimes or any type of illegal activity
• Material containing information regarding the manufacture or use of weapons or unlawful substances

You are permitted to order soft-cover books, magazines and newspapers for inmates, as long as the material conforms to the above rules. Books and periodicals must be shipped directly to the inmate from a publisher or vendor, such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

7. Security and Health at the Jail

In Tulare County, newly detained individuals are assessed according to their offense, criminal history, gang history and observed behavior during booking; inmates considered dangerous or who have exhibited violent behavior are housed apart from the general population. There is particular emphasis on assessing gang affiliations to determine the most secure housing option. Many of the inmates housed in the Tulare County Main Jail are those requiring protective custody.

A medical doctor has office hours at the Tulare Main Jail several days per week, and appropriate healthcare is provided on or offsite, as needed. Religious, substance abuse and other inmate programs are also provided. To obtain more information on program options at the Tulare County Jail, refer to the Sheriff’s inmate programs page.

Inmates at the Tulare Correctional Facility receive a state-mandated minimum of three hours per week of outdoor recreation. The jail has a secure rooftop exercise yard equipped with workout equipment.

8. Inmate Property

Inmate personal property is typically confiscated during the booking process and held in storage at the detention center. There is a property release authorization form that may be signed by the inmate to allow for property pick up of small personal items, such as wallet, keys and jewelry.

Once a signed release is on file, friends or family members with proper photo identification can come in to the Tulare Detention Center and pick-up inmate property. (It is recommended to call ahead to ensure the authorization form was filled out correctly.)