Northern Sierra
Sierra County inmate search and jail information
Downieville operates as temporary holding rather than the normal destination for continuing detention. Sierra County says its inmates are primarily housed at Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City and occasionally at Plumas County Jail in Quincy. Confirm the actual housing county first.
No separate searchable Sierra roster was verified. The official temporary-facility page explains contracted housing and refers readers to Nevada County custody information. A person may have a Sierra Superior Court case while detained outside Sierra County; housing jurisdiction and court jurisdiction are not interchangeable.
How to search for someone in custody
Start with the custody information published by the Sierra County Sheriff's Office. Have the person's full legal name and, ideally, a date of birth ready. If an online lookup is available, compare identifying details rather than relying on a name alone. If you obtain a booking number, keep it with your notes for later questions to jail staff, the court, or an attorney.
Official Sierra County housing and custody referrals (external site).
Jail facilities
- Sierra County Temporary Holding Facility, 100 Courthouse Square, Downieville, CA 95936
Visiting, phone calls and mail
The sheriff prohibits visits at Downieville temporary holding and accepts no inmate mail, packages, food or personal items there. Visiting and correspondence follow the receiving facility's rules. Confirm whether the person is at Wayne Brown or in Plumas County before applying either facility's registration or mailing requirements.
Court and bail
Criminal cases here are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Sierra.
Confirm the active booking, any holds and the current release order with custody staff before arranging bail in Sierra County. Ask which payment methods, payee and receiving location apply to that specific booking. Inmate-account, phone and commissary deposits are separate from posting bail. Use the Superior Court for the case-specific order and hearing information rather than calculating a payment from a general schedule. For a person housed elsewhere, confirm which agency accepts payment and where pickup occurs. A listed bail amount does not guarantee immediate release. This is general information, not legal advice.
Common questions
Where do I start a Sierra County custody inquiry?
Downieville operates as temporary holding rather than the normal destination for continuing detention. Sierra County says its inmates are primarily housed at Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in Nevada City and occasionally at Plumas County Jail in Quincy. Confirm the actual housing county first.
What should I check before visiting from Downieville?
The sheriff prohibits visits at Downieville temporary holding and accepts no inmate mail, packages, food or personal items there. Visiting and correspondence follow the receiving facility's rules. Confirm whether the person is at Wayne Brown or in Plumas County before applying either facility's registration or mailing requirements.
Does a missing county record prove the person was released?
No. Booking delays, identity differences, transfers and separate custody systems can affect a public lookup. Ask the arresting agency or Sierra County custody staff to confirm the situation, and use official court records for the case.
Official sources and record limitations
This guide links to Sierra County Sheriff's Office for custody procedures and Superior Court of California, County of Sierra for court information. A booking record is not a conviction. Recent bookings, transfers, releases and protected records may not appear in a public lookup.