Department Spotlight - Sheriff's Office

Opened in 1978, Vista Detention Facility is owned by the County of San Diego and operated by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. The facility has been remodeled and expanded twice, bringing its rated capacity to 807. The detention facility sees about 13,660 jail bookings per year. The Sheriff's vision for a new North County facility will prioritize public safety by emphasizing programming and mental health support, positive behavior change, reducing recidivism, and encouraging staff wellness.

Vista Detention Facility (VDF) is the only jail in North County serving the unincorporated area and incorporated cities. The detained population at VDF consists primarily of incarcerated persons awaiting court proceedings for North County cases. In addition, VDF houses individuals with medical challenges, those under psychiatric care, an administrative separation unit, as well as defendants facing high-publicity trials. VDF provides a wide range of medical and psychiatric services, including infectious disease control, X-ray, and dental care. Services are provided by physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, nurses, and clinical social workers in addition to sworn deputies. There are 142 County and Sheriff's employees who work at the detention facility.

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COMMUNITY EVENT

The North County Detention and Re-Entry Facility is a phased project that is currently in Pre-Construction and includes several years of Planning and Design. Sheriff will host a community event in early 2026 to share the project Master Plan, initial scope and timeline. For more information, visit the Sheriff's Office website.