CountyofSB.org 
Santa Barbara County Main Jail
Santa Barbara County Jail
4436 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone: (805) 681-4260
The Santa Barbara County Jail houses males and female inmates and provides incarceration and rehabilitative services for pretrial and court-sentenced inmates.
The facility’s staff ensures inmates are incarcerated in a manner that provides for their medical, nutritional, hygienic, legal, and spiritual needs. Staff also ensure that inmates receive services designed to provide opportunities to improve their lives, both during and after incarceration, in order to reduce recidivism
Northern Branch Jail
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- After years of planning, design, construction and operational preparations the Northern Branch Jail ribbon cutting, and dedication ceremony was held on November 18, 2021. The facility was officially opened for inmate occupation on January 22, 2022, when over 250 inmates were transferred from the Main Jail in Santa Barbara to the Northern Branch Jail. The Northern Branch Jail site was acquired in April of 2008. The Sheriff’s Office applied for grant funding and after a competitive process was selected as the recipient of an $80 million grant from the state to build a new jail. The Conditional Award was accepted in October of 2012. The project kicked off in May of 2013 and construction began in September of 2016. There are still functions of the Northern Branch Jail that need to be completed to bring it to full functionality which should happen in the next few months.
The 376-bed, 133,000 square foot facility is located at 2301 Black Road near Santa Maria. The Northern Branch Jail will provide much needed inmate housing for both male and female inmates in a mix of medium and high security areas.
Some of the features and benefits include:
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- Increased jail system bed capacity that will help relieve overcrowding.
- Direct supervision for most areas of the jail that will enhance security and provide better living and working conditions for both staff and inmates.
- 32 special use beds for mental health and medical purposes.
- An outpatient medical clinic.
- Housing units with multi-purpose rooms to provide space for classes and programs designed to change behavior and reduce recidivism.
- Housing units with exercise yards attached to the unit and immediately available.
- A North County location that will decrease the amount of time law enforcement agencies spend transporting and booking inmates.
- 124 full-time employees including 90 custody deputies, many of whom live in the North County and will spend less time commuting.
- An expandable design to meet projected future needs of the county justice system in phases that will be consistent with the original design.
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Northern Branch Jail
2301 Black Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 554-3100
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Ongoing CNA Sexual Abuse Investigation Leads to New Information and Survivor Reports. Read more here:
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Deputies Arrest Three Suspects Following Suspicious Activity at Home Depot. Read more here:
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🚔✨ Ever wondered what happens behind the badge?
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for our Community Academy—a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement in Santa Barbara County!
👮♂️ What you’ll experience:
📜 History of law enforcement
⚖️ Criminal law & patrol tactics
🗣️ De-escalation communication
🧪 Forensic evidence collection
This program is perfect for community members who want to learn more about the Sheriff’s Office—or anyone considering a future in law enforcement. Get an inside look at what it truly takes to serve and protect our communities.
📅 Class Schedule:
🗓️ Begins Monday, March 2, 2026
⏰ Mondays from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. through May 4, 2026
📍 Primarily at the Lompoc Substation, with some sessions in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria
🎉 Graduation BBQ/Luncheon: Saturday, May 9, 2026
⚠️ Space is limited and classes fill quickly!
📝 Apply by Monday, February 16, 2026
🔞 Must be 18 years or older
👉 Apply now at www.sbsheriff.org or email 📧 CommunityAcademy@sbsheriff.org with questions.
🚓 Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting and educational experience!
Congratulations to Acting Lieutenant Neil Gowing (center) on graduating from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute! 🎓👏 This achievement reflects months of intensive leadership training focused on ethical decision-making, effective supervision, accountability, and leading with integrity. We’re proud of Acting Lieutenant Gowing’s commitment to professional growth and thankful for the leadership he brings back to our agency and the community we serve. 💙🚓
Congratulations to the 12 members of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office who were officially promoted today 👏⭐
This ceremony recognized dedicated professionals from across the organization, including three key additions to the executive leadership team:
Undersheriff Brad Welch
Chief Deputy Kevin Huddle
Custody Chief Deputy Ryan Sullivan
Each brings decades of experience spanning patrol, investigations, custody operations, and executive command—strengthening the leadership of our agency at every level.
Also honored were newly promoted commanders, lieutenants, sergeants, and professional staff, whose leadership and commitment support our mission every day.
“These promotions reflect the caliber of our people and the rigor of the process,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “Those who advance have earned the confidence of this organization.”
As they step into their new roles, these leaders are charged with upholding the values behind the word SHERIFF:
Service • Honor • Ethics • Respect • Integrity • Fairness • Faithfulness ⭐
🔈Audio on for a BOL from our Communications Dispatch Center 🎅🏼👀
🚨 Public Service Announcement: Text to 911 🚨
📍 Santa Barbara County, including UCSB properties
Call if you can. Text if you can’t.📱Dispatchers are available and ready to help 👩💻👨💻
A voice call is still the fastest and most effective ☎️
Text to 911 is essential for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired ♿
It is critical in dangerous situations where speaking out loud could put you at risk ⚠️
It can help during medical emergencies when you cannot speak 🏥
During major network disruptions, texts may go through even when calls fail 📶
📌 Tips for Using Text to 911:
Text your exact location so help can be sent quickly 📍
Use clear, plain language
Avoid emojis, slang, or abbreviations in your text
Send a one-on-one message. Group texts do not reach 911
Text to 911 is for emergencies only
📲 Text to 911- Help is just a message away.
☕👮♂️ Join us for Coffee with a Cop in Orcutt!
The Sheriff`s Office is teaming up with Gina’s Piece of Cake for a relaxed, no-agenda meet-up on Saturday, December 20, from 9–11 a.m. Swing by, grab a free cup of drip coffee, and chat with the deputies who serve your community — including Community Resource Deputy Shawn Banks.
These casual conversations help us stay connected, hear what matters to you, and build stronger relationships one cup at a time.
📍 Gina’s Piece of Cake — 205 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt
🕘 Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9–11 a.m.
🍵 Free drip coffee for attendees!
We hope to see you there! #CoffeeWithACop #Orcutt #SBSheriff
🎓✨ Congratulations to Community Academy Class 25-2!
Over the past several weeks, this incredible group learned about everything from investigations and patrol operations to custody, communications, and the many specialty units that keep our county safe. 🚓
Programs like this help build a stronger, more connected community by opening doors, answering questions, and creating partnerships that last long after graduation. 🤝💛
We’re grateful for your time, curiosity, and commitment to understanding how your Sheriff’s Office serves you.
👏🎉 Great job, Class 25-2!
Today we celebrated four new deputies upon their graduation from the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement Academy! 🎓💛 Big congratulations to Deputies Durnin, Pursifer, Weber, and Woolley — and an extra round of applause for Deputy Woolley, who received the Leadership Award! 👏⭐
