Ontario Jail Booking Records
Ontario is a major city in southwestern San Bernardino County and an important hub in the Inland Empire. When Ontario Police make an arrest, suspects are booked into the San Bernardino County jail system operated by the Sheriff's Department. West Valley Detention Center in nearby Rancho Cucamonga serves as the main facility at 9500 Etiwanda Avenue. You can search for jail mugshots and booking records through the San Bernardino County Sheriff's online booking search portal. The database provides public access to booking photos, custody status, charges, and bail information for people arrested in Ontario. The system updates regularly as new bookings arrive from Ontario Police Department. Searches are free and no registration is required to view inmate information from Ontario arrests.
Ontario Jail Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Handles Ontario Arrests
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department operates detention facilities for Ontario and other cities in the county. When Ontario Police arrest someone, that person goes into county custody. West Valley Detention Center is at 9500 Etiwanda Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga. Call (909) 350-2476 for information about the facility.
To find Ontario jail mugshots, use the San Bernardino County booking search online. The database covers all inmates in county jails. You can search by name, booking number, or date range. Results show booking photos, current charges, bail amounts, and which facility is holding the person arrested in Ontario.
The booking search updates as new arrests come in from Ontario and other county cities. The system typically adds new bookings within a few hours of arrival at the detention center. If you are looking for someone recently arrested in Ontario, check back after a short wait if they do not appear right away.
San Bernardino County uses icaregifts.com for inmate commissary orders. Friends and family can purchase care packages online. The website lists approved items and delivery schedules. Check the Sheriff's website for current visiting policies at county detention facilities.
Finding Ontario Arrest Records
Go to the San Bernardino County booking search page. Type the person's first name and last name in the search fields. Common names produce many results from across the large county. Use the booking date or other details to find the right match. The system searches all current inmates in county custody.
Click a name in the results to view full details. The booking record opens showing the mugshot at the top. Below that you see charges, bail amount, booking date and time, and current facility location. The system pulls data from the Sheriff's jail management database for Ontario and other county cities.
If you have a booking number from court documents, enter it for a direct search. This method works best with common names that return many matches. Each arrest gets a unique booking number in San Bernardino County. The number stays with that arrest through the entire custody period.
For older Ontario arrest records, contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Records Division. The online database focuses on current inmates and recent releases. Records from months ago may not appear in the booking search. You can request archived information through a public records request.
Note: Visitors must check in 30 minutes before scheduled visits at county facilities. Same-day visits are not permitted. Plan ahead if you want to visit someone arrested in Ontario.
Tracking Ontario Inmates
VINE offers free alerts for San Bernardino County inmates. Visit vinelink.dhs.gov to register. You can receive text or email notifications when an inmate is released, transferred, or has a court appearance. The service covers all county jails including facilities that hold people arrested in Ontario.
Call 877-411-5588 for the VINE automated hotline. This phone service operates around the clock every day. You can check custody status by entering a name or booking number. The system provides current information about where someone is being held. The hotline works for Ontario and all other California areas.
For questions about visiting someone at West Valley Detention Center, call (909) 350-2476. Staff can provide information about visiting hours, approved items, and check-in procedures. Have the inmate's full name and booking number ready when you call.
California Jail Information Law
Government Code 6254(f) mandates disclosure of basic booking data in California. This includes full name, physical description, date of birth, arrest date and time, booking date and time, location of arrest, charges filed, and bail amount. San Bernardino County must provide this information for all Ontario arrests.
Jail mugshots count as public records unless a specific exemption applies. Booking photos generally appear in the online search system. You do not need to explain why you want the information. The database is open to anyone searching for Ontario booking records.
Penal Code 13665 limits social media use of mugshots. Law enforcement cannot post booking photos of nonviolent crimes on social media platforms. If they do, they must take them down within 14 days. This law does not affect official databases. The booking search system remains available for Ontario records.
Civil Code 1798.91.1 bans mugshot extortion schemes. Companies cannot charge fees to remove booking photos from websites. This practice used to be common before California banned it. People affected by mugshot extortion can sue the companies for damages.
Contacting Ontario Inmates
San Bernardino County jails use third-party providers for inmate services. These companies handle phone calls, video visits, and money deposits. Check the Sheriff's website for current approved vendors. You need to create an account to use these services at county facilities.
To send money to an inmate arrested in Ontario, use the icaregifts.com system. You need the inmate's full name and booking number. Deposits typically post within a few hours. Inmates can use the funds for commissary purchases and phone calls. The website explains all fees and processing times.
Video visitation may be available depending on facility policies. Check the Sheriff's website or call the jail directly for current visiting procedures. Some facilities require scheduling visits in advance. Others use a first-come system for video visits.
For mailing letters to someone in custody, get the full jail address from the Sheriff's website. Include the inmate's name, booking number, and housing unit. All mail goes through security screening before delivery. Do not send cash or prohibited items through the mail. The website lists what items are allowed.
Other San Bernardino County Cities
Many cities in San Bernardino County share the same jail system. If you are searching for someone arrested in these cities, use the county booking search. Local police departments book arrestees into county facilities.
San Bernardino Fontana Rancho Cucamonga
The booking search covers all of San Bernardino County. You can find jail mugshots from Ontario or any other city in the county. All bookings feed into the same database regardless of which agency made the arrest. The Sheriff manages custody operations for cities throughout the county.