Dealing with the criminal justice system in addition to the mental health system can be challenging. We’ve created a step-by-step guide to help families cope with navigating the criminal justice system in Alameda County when a family member who experiences mental health conditions is arrested.

Family Education & Resource Center
7677 Oakport St. Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94621

Warm Line: (888) 896-3372
Office: (510) 746-1700

If your loved one calls to say they have been arrested, there are a couple of things you can do.

To find out if your relative is in jail, use the Inmate Locator. You may also want to contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for further information about the jail. The Sheriff’s Department can provide you with information about visiting hours. Once you locate your loved one in jail:

• Call the Criminal Justice Mental Health (CJMH) intake unit (ITR) at (925) 551-6905.
• Inform the staff or leave a message that your family member has a mental illness, describe the diagnosis, and share any other concerns.
• Ask staff about your relative’s status and estimated length of stay at this facility.
• Ask if they are expected to be released directly from the jail. If they are going to be released directly from the jail, ask for the time and place, so you can be there to pick them up.
• If your relative is really struggling, ask if the ITR staff can arrange to have them taken to a psychiatric hospital for a 5150 involuntary three-day hold for treatment and evaluation.
• Ask about your family member’s location (housing unit and pod number) and their booking number.
• When visiting the jail, always bring a few quarters for a locker to store your personal belongings while you visit your family member. Photo ID is also required.

The medical information you provide on the Inmate Mental Health Information Form will help assist mental health staff to select the best treatment for your relative while they are in custody. While continuity of care is important, jail mental health staff must conduct its own assessment of your relative’s condition and may not necessarily prescribe the same medications. Some psychiatric medications cannot be used in jail because of historic misuse.

The jail mental health staff is prohibited by law from giving anyone information about a client’s status unless they have the client’s written consent, but the staff can receive information from relatives or friends. On the cover page of this form, share whether your relative has provided you with a written confidentiality waiver. If your relative has not provided you with a written confidentiality waiver, ask that they sign one while in jail. Once your relative has been booked, fax the Inmate Mental Health Information Form to the appropriate numbers below. Faxes can be sent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Criminal Justice Mental Health (CJMH) Fax (925) 551-6727
Intake, Transfer & Release (ITR) Fax (925) 803-8008

If your relative is not going to be released right away, you can contact the CJMH Court Advocacy Project (CAP) for assistance with the court process in selected courtrooms. The CAP staff can assist you with information, court dates, locations, etc. CAP staff may also assist the defense attorney, prosecutor, and the judge in implementing an alternative sentence rather than incarceration in a jail or prison. This program is available free of charge. Call (510) 627-4992 or fax (510) 627-4995.

If you have any difficulty with this process, you can contact the following resources that are specifically available to assist families who have relatives with mental health challenges.

• The Family Education & Resource Center at (888) 896-3372
• The Mental Health Association Family Advocate Program at (510) 835-5010
• The Behavioral Health Care Services Family Relations Manager at (510) 567-8037