Detention facilities are only a part of the County's Criminal Justice System. Since each part of the system affects the nature and size of the jail population, we endorse the full development and use of alternatives to incarceration. The facility serves as a county intake center and provide for the detention of unsentenced persons and for incarceration of sentenced persons. A primary function of the jail is to provide facilities for secure confinement.
All facilities provide housing and services of equal quality for all persons.
Juveniles are not detained in the facility. The San Joaquin County Jail is a new generation jail managed under the concept of Direct Supervision. Persons housed will be confined under the least restrictive conditions, based on past and current behavior. Those housed who by their actions show they will adhere to facility rules, follow the directions of staff and not cause problems will be provided free access to make collect phone calls, visiting, recreation, religious and education services. On the other hand the facility is constructed so as to restrict some or all privileges for those who display disruptive behavior.