How to Send Mail and Photos to San Diego Central Jail

Correct Mailing Address

San Diego County jails process all mail through one centralized Mail Processing Center in Santee, not the individual jail’s street address. Since September 1, 2022, mail sent directly to San Diego Central Jail’s building is rejected and returned to the sender.

[Incarcerated Person's Name and Booking Number]
San Diego Central Jail
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

Write your own name, address, and city, state, and ZIP code in the top left corner. Look up the booking number at apps.sdsheriff.net/wij.

What’s Accepted

General correspondence, meaning letters, is accepted, along with money orders and checks. Books and magazines are accepted only if they come directly from a publisher or a reputable vendor, not from you personally.

Letter and Postcard Restrictions

The following are not allowed on letters, postcards, or envelopes:

• Altered, pre-used, or layered paper, blank paper, cardboard, heavy cardstock, or construction paper, or cloth material
• Glue, glitter, ribbon, string, bows, stickers, foliage, or foam, rubber, plastic, metal, or foil
• Crayon, ink, or paint drawings, lip gloss or lipstick, or unknown substances like scents or fluids
• Watermarks, stains, correction fluid, or tape
• Nudity, sexual activity, or obscene content, and glitter pens, highlighter, or marker ink

Book, Magazine, and Photo Rules

Books and publications must come directly from the publisher or a reputable vendor, with a packing slip or proof of purchase. Limit is 6 books at a time. No hardcover or used books, no leather or faux leather covers, no plastic or metal parts, no CDs or DVDs, no spiralbound books, and no blank paper pads, sketchbooks, or nude, sexual, or obscene content. Books can’t be larger than 8.5x11 inches, or have a combined length, width, and height over 21 inches.

Photos must come directly from a vendor, not printed at home and mailed by you. No more than 10 photos per mailing, and each must be 4x6 inches or smaller. No nudity, sexual activity, suggestive, or obscene images.

What’s Not Allowed at All

• Anything related to violence, weapons, hatred, drugs, gangs, or cartels, including writings, tattoos, or pictures depicting them
• Content that promotes manipulation or deception
• Posters, blank envelopes, blank greeting cards, blank postcards, or postage stamps
• Perishable items or packages other than books
• Any writing or image that could threaten the security of the facility

Rules can change, and this isn’t a complete list of every possible item. If you’re not sure whether something is allowed, call (619) 409-5000 before you mail it.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at San Diego Central Jail is through Pigeonly. Upload your photos or write your letter online, and Pigeonly prints and mails everything to the jail for you.