Media requests

Request press information from the San Francisco Sheriff's Office

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Contacting incarcerated persons

How can I check if a person is in jail?

Please refer to our find a person in jail lookup tool. You must have the first three letters of the first and last name of the individual that you’re searching for to use this tool.

As a member of the media, may I interview an incarcerated person in your jail?

Generally yes, although there may be situations that cannot be accommodated. If you are a member of the press and are requesting to interview an incarcerated person, please call our press office in advance of visiting the jail.

When visiting a jail for an interview, you must provide an authorized press credential and valid government-issued photo ID before you will be admitted. Your belongings will be searched and you must follow our jail visitor guidelines. The Sheriff’s Office may end your visit and cancel future visits if you fail to do so. 

Will you get permission from the incarcerated person in advance for my press interview?

We will not ask an incarcerated person in advance if they’re willing to be interviewed. When you arrive at the jail, you must provide the person’s name. One of our sworn staff will take a media waiver to the individual and ask them if they wish to participate in your interview. They will make their wishes known on the media waiver -- a copy of which will be given to you. 

If the person in jail agrees to the interview, we will escort you to one of our secure jail visitor locations to meet the incarcerated person. We may impose a time limit on the interview.

What happens if the person I’m looking for is not listed on the lookup tool?

They’re not in our custody if you can’t identify them through our lookup tool. Once a person leaves our custody, their arrest information is no longer available through our agency. 

Can the Sheriff’s Office confirm when a person has been arrested even if they've been released?

No. Once a person has been released from our custody, their information is no longer our public record. 

Does the Sheriff's Office provide arrestee booking photos?

No. Please email the San Francisco Police Department's media relations team to request booking photos at SFPDmediaRelations@sfgov.org.

SFSO media relations

Tara Moriarty 
Email: tara.moriarty@sfgov.org
Text: 
(628) 286-8198

After 5 p.m. and on weekends, please call (415) 554-7225.

Miscellaneous requests

What is your jail tour policy?

The SFSO does not accommodate public tours of the jail. We operate secure facilities that are not open to the public.

I want to shoot a movie at the jail. Can I do this?

No. The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office operates secure facilities and cannot accommodate movie and TV production crews. For information about San Francisco movie and TV location sites, please contact Film SF