SAN DIEGO SHERIFF - Descanso Detention Facility


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DESCANSO DENTENTION FACILITY

Photograph of DDF Entry Sign

Descanso Detention Facility
7878 Cambell Ranch Road
Alpine, CA 91901
Information (619) 659-5500
MAP to DDF (by Mapquest)

Click here for Inmate Visit Schedule

Public Information Plan

DDF Quick Facts

Opened—Mid 1940’s
Department Operated 1980
BOC Rated Capacity—225
Sworn Staffing—65
Average Daily Population—227*
Annual Budget—$5.7 million*
Facility Size—14 acres (60 structures)

* Fiscal Year 2001-02

INMATE SOCIAL VISITS

Inmate social visits can be scheduled by calling our toll free number 1-877-WE VISIT (1.877.938.4748)

For general rules on visiting click here!

WRITING TO AN INMATE

Inmates can receive and send correspondence via the U. S. Postal Service. Please do not send envelopes or stamps. Such items will be placed into the inmate’s property and will not be accessible to the inmate. Inmates have the opportunity to purchase stamped envelopes. When inmates are without funds, they will be provided a limited number of envelopes. Address envelopes as follows:

Inmates Name #(Booking #)
Descanso Detention Facility
7878 Cambell Ranch Road
Alpine, CA 91901

Detention Services Bureau Mission Statement

“Working together, we provide professional detention services in a safe and humane environment.”

The Descanso Detention Facility is one of the oldest detention facilities in San Diego County and is located in the rural east county. The facility is staffed by approximately 65 sworn employees and over 20 professional staff members. There are approximately 10 volunteer instructors and clergymen who work with the inmate population. Opened by the state in the mid 1940’s, the facility was taken over by the Probation Department in the early 1950’s. It was run as a probation camp until 1980. The Sheriff’s Department took over that year and it has been a county jail ever since. Descanso is classified as a Type II medium security facility with a Board of Corrections rated capacity of 225 inmates. The average daily population is 227 inmates, most of which are sentenced inmates. The jail houses 70+ inmate workers at any given time. These workers are assigned to several programs including construction and landscaping. The facility is currently being renovated and these inmate workers are utilized to assist in this process.

Photograph of DDF in the winter.

The Descanso Detention Facility sits on approximately 14 acres of land. There are over 60 structures located on the property. Some of these structures include a greenhouse, laundry facility, main kitchen, medical dispensary, water reclamation plant, supply warehouse, numerous educational class rooms, K-9 training grounds, weapons firing range, and twelve dormitory type housing facilities.

Photograph of the exterior of a DDF housing unit.

In the past year a new administration building was constructed and includes offices, conference room, briefing room, locker rooms and a workout facility. The conference and briefing rooms have already been utilized by several units within the county for meetings, classes or briefings.

Photograph of the DDF sign in winter.

As you can see by the photographs, this facility experiences a wide variety of weather. It is not uncommon for it to snow in the winter and be rather warm in the summer. If you are coming to our facility please be prepared for the changing weather.

Mainline inmate visits usually are scheduled on the weekend, while the inmate workers are scheduled throughout the week and on the weekends. Please call our toll free number 1.877.938.4748 for information on scheduling a social visit. Our general information telephone number is (619) 659-5500.

Last updated 12/06/2007