San Benito County Inmate Records

San Benito County operates jail facilities in Hollister with capacity for nearly 200 inmates. The main jail holds 124 people while the Curtis J. Hill Rehabilitation Center adds 72 beds. You can request jail mugshots and booking records from the Sheriff's office. While there is no live online inmate search, you can call to check custody status. The facilities serve Hollister, San Juan Bautista, and other communities throughout San Benito County. Booking information becomes public under California law once someone is arrested. Contact the jail for current inmate information in San Benito County.

San Benito County Jail

The main jail is at 710 Flynn Road in Hollister. Call (831) 636-4060 to reach the facility. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. Have the person's name ready when you call. They will check their system and provide basic information about booking dates and charges in San Benito County.

The Curtis J. Hill Rehabilitation Center provides programs for inmates. This 72-bed facility focuses on substance abuse treatment and reentry services. Not all inmates go to this facility. The Sheriff assigns people based on their needs and eligibility in San Benito County.

Visit the San Benito County Sheriff's corrections page for general information. This page lists rules for visiting, sending mail, and contacting inmates. It does not have an online inmate search. You must call to find out who is currently in jail in San Benito County.

Visiting and Contacting Inmates

San Benito County uses GTL for video visitation. Go to sanbenitoca.gtlvisitme.com to schedule a visit. You need to create an account. Enter the inmate's information to find them in the system. Video visits happen through a computer or mobile device. You do not need to go to the jail for remote visits in San Benito County.

GTL also handles phone calls. Inmates make calls through the GTL system. Friends and family can set up prepaid accounts. Visit the GTL website to register. You need the inmate's name and booking number. Calls are monitored and recorded except conversations with attorneys in San Benito County.

Securus and TelMate provide additional services. These companies handle commissary deposits and other inmate needs. Visit their websites to set up accounts. You can send money that inmates use for snacks, hygiene items, and phone calls. Each deposit may have a processing fee in San Benito County.

Mail can be sent to the jail at 710 Flynn Road, Hollister, CA 95024. Use the inmate's full name. Include your return address. All incoming mail gets inspected before inmates receive it. Contraband will be rejected. Check with the jail about what types of mail are allowed in San Benito County.

Requesting Jail Records

For booking records and mugshots, contact the Sheriff's office. You can make a public records request for arrest reports, booking sheets, and photos. Call (831) 636-4060 or visit the Sheriff's main office. Ask for the records division. They handle requests for reports and booking information in San Benito County.

California law requires disclosure of basic booking information. Government Code 6254(f) lists what must be public. This includes names, physical descriptions, birth dates, arrest times and dates, booking times and dates, arrest locations, charges, and bail amounts. San Benito County must provide these details when someone requests them.

You may need to submit a written request for copies of records. Some agencies charge fees for copying and processing. San Benito County can tell you what the cost will be. Simple requests often get handled within a few days. More complex requests may take longer under California's public records laws.

Mugshots are generally public records in California. Law enforcement can release booking photos unless a specific exemption applies. San Benito County should provide mugshots upon request. You do not need to explain why you want the photo or provide identification to make a public records request.

California Mugshot Laws

Penal Code 13665 restricts how police share mugshots on social media. Law enforcement cannot post booking photos of nonviolent offenses on platforms like Facebook. If they do post such photos, they must remove them within 14 days. This law does not prevent release of mugshots through official channels or in response to public records requests in San Benito County.

Civil Code 1798.91.1 bans mugshot extortion. Some websites used to post booking photos and charge fees to remove them. This is illegal in California. People can sue companies that demand payment to take down their mugshot. San Benito County does not charge to remove photos from official records because the county is not in the business of posting photos online for removal fees.

Arrest records can be sealed under certain conditions. Penal Code 851.87 through 851.92 allow people to seal records when charges were not filed or were dismissed. If an arrest gets sealed, the booking record is no longer public. The person can deny the arrest occurred. Sealed records do not appear in background checks or public databases in San Benito County.

Inmate Release Notifications

VINE provides custody status updates. Visit vinelink.dhs.gov or call 877-411-5588. This free service lets you register for alerts about San Benito County inmates. Enter the person's name to track them. VINE sends text or email messages when someone is released or transferred.

The system works across California. If an inmate gets moved to another county, VINE updates your alerts. This helps victims and others stay informed about custody changes. The service operates 24 hours a day. You can register as many names as you want in San Benito County and other jurisdictions.

Making a Public Records Request

California's Public Records Act gives residents the right to inspect public records. Government Code 7920 through 7931 lays out the rules. Agencies have 10 days to respond to requests. They must tell you whether they have the records and when you can access them. San Benito County follows these requirements for all records requests.

Be specific in your request. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. Vague requests take longer to process. San Benito County may ask you to clarify what you need. Narrowing your request helps staff find the right records faster.

Some records have exemptions. Privacy laws protect certain information. Ongoing investigations may not be fully available. San Benito County will tell you if exemptions apply. You can appeal if you think the county wrongly denied access to records.

Note: Public records requests can involve fees for copying and staff time. San Benito County will estimate costs before processing large requests. You can adjust your request to reduce fees if needed.

Communities in San Benito County

San Benito County includes Hollister, San Juan Bautista, and several smaller communities. The Sheriff's office provides law enforcement throughout the county. All arrests result in booking at the Hollister jail. There are no other jail facilities in San Benito County.

Whether someone is arrested in Hollister or a rural area, they go to the same facility. You do not need to know where the arrest happened. Just call the jail and ask if they have the person in custody in San Benito County.

The county has a moderate population spread over agricultural and rural areas. Jail capacity is limited compared to urban counties. The Sheriff manages bed space based on charges and available room. Some inmates may be released quickly due to space constraints in San Benito County.

Nearby Counties

If someone is not in San Benito County jail, check neighboring counties. People are sometimes arrested in one place and booked elsewhere. Outstanding warrants can cause transfers between jurisdictions in California.

Santa Clara County Santa Cruz County Monterey County Merced County

Each county runs its own jail system. You must contact each Sheriff's office separately. VINE can search multiple counties if you are not sure where someone is being held in California.