County Jail Law Project (CJLP) operates under the Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC) in assisting inmates housed in Butte County Jail (BCJ). Students in CJLP also run the law library within BCJ. Incarcerated individuals in the jail can request legal information by submitting a “Butte County Jail Law Library Inmate Request” form. They can also write directly to CJLP at the CLIC offices.
CJLP provides legal information including, but not limited to, general pre-trial procedures, California Penal Codes, Inmate Case Activities and jail conditions regulations. We assist approximately 400- 500 individuals each month with their legal research requests.
1. What is CJLP?
County Jail Law Project (CJLP) operates under the Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC) in assisting inmates housed in Butte County Jail (BCJ) with legal information. Students in CJLP also run the law library within BCJ. Incarcerated individuals in the jail can request legal information by submitting a “Butte County Jail Law Library Inmate Request” form. They can also write directly to CJLP at the CLIC offices. CJLP provides legal information including, but not limited to, general pre-trial procedures, California Penal Codes, Inmate Case Activities and jail conditions regulations. We assist approximately 400- 500 individuals each month with their legal research requests.
2. How do I find out if my loved one is in custody at the Butte County Jail?
If you visit the Butte County's Jail Information page(opens in new window) , you can find the most current phone number to call to find out if your loved one is incarcerated in the Butte County Jail. You will need their full name and date of birth. Additionally, you can see if your loved one is in custody through Vinelink(opens in new window) . All you need is their first and last name. Butte County also reports public booking logs weekly(opens in new window).
Easy links for your reference:
Search, VineLink, https://vinelink.vineapps.com/search/CA(opens in new window) , (Date Accessed: 7-24-20)
Booking Log, Butte County, http://www.buttecounty.net/sheriffcoroner/bookinglogs(opens in new window), (Date Accessed: 7-23-2020)
Jail Information, Butte County, https://www.buttecounty.net/sheriffcoroner/jailinfo(opens in new window), (Date Accessed: 7-23-2020)
3. How can I send letters to my loved one in the Butte County Jail?
To write to an inmate, address the Envelope as follows: (Inmate’s Name) 7 Gillick Way Oroville, Ca. 95965 ( Mail rules (opens in new window) ). Additionally, you may use the Secure Mail system (opens in new window) to e-mail inmates in the Butte County Jail.
Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook, May 2020, p.8-9. https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/24/Jail/Handbook_05-04-20.pdf?ver=2020-07-06-122440-057 (opens in new window).
4. My loved one is incarcerated, how can I manage their finances, social security benefits, health care, and many other transactions on their behalf?
If your loved one wants to turn over power for you to act on their behalf, they can sign a Power of Attorney (POA) form. By signing a POA form, they are granting authority to you to make decisions for them. A Notary Public must notarize the POA. There are different types of POAs based on the circumstances of the situation. You can find more information on the different types of Power of Attorney forms from the Sacramento Public Library (PDF) . Additionally, your loved one can request a POA from the Butte County Jail law library while incarcerated. They can also refer to the Inmate Handbook to find out how to get their POA form notarized.
Helpful links:
Inmate handbook link (opens in new window)
Sacramento County Public Law Library, Power of Attorney ,
https://saclaw.org/wp-content/uploads/lrg-power-of-attorney.pdf (PDF) , (2019)
CAL. PROB. CODE §§ 4000-45 (West 2020)
5. How do I find out when my loved one’s next court appearance will take place?
You can view your loved one’s case activity at the Butte County Superior Court website(opens in new window). All you need is their first and last name to access their case status to find out when their next hearing is scheduled . Under the “Cases/Calendars” drop-down menu choose “Search Cases/Hearings” then click “Smart Search.” In “Smart Search” input their last name comma first name to access their case status to find out when their next hearing is scheduled. For Example, Smith, John.
Case Information, Superior Court of California, County of Butte , https://www.buttecourt.ca.gov/CaseInformation/ (opens in new window) , (Date Access: 6-24-20)
6. My loved one was recently brought to Butte County Jail. How do I find out what they are entitled to in jail?
Making sure you or your loved one is receiving adequate treatment as an incarcerated individual is extremely important. The policies and procedures of the Butte County Jail are provided in the Butte County Jail Information Handbook (opens in new window) . This includes details on daily life, grievance procedures, how to seek medical attention, library services, emergency procedures, and other resources. Additionally, you can find the Adult Title 15 Minimum Standards , these are regulations written by the state and must be followed by any county jail in California.
Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook, May 2020.
https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/24/Jail/Handbook_05-04-20.pdf?ver=2020-07-06-122440-057 (opens in new window) ,
Board of State and Community Corrections, Title 15 Minimum Standards For Local Detention Facilities , http://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Attachment-C-Title-15.pdf (PDF) (PDF), (2017)
7. My loved one was just arrested, how do I pick up their property?
Incoming inmates have their property temporarily taken from them and can be picked up after they are released from custody. They will receive a receipt for their property when admitted. If they do not pick up this property within 120 days of being released, the property will be disposed.
If an inmate would like someone else to pick up their property while they are still incarcerated they can sign a Property Release Form allowing a designated person to pick up their property for them. That person must show valid identification in order to pick up the property. Money can only be released during the first 15 days of confinement.
Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook , May 2020, p.9. https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/24/Jail/Handbook_05-04-20.pdf?ver=2020-07-06-122440-057 (opens in new window) .
8. My loved one is an inmate of Butte County Jail and takes prescription medicine/ how do they get medical attention in the jail?
A private medical company that specializes in providing health care to the correctional facility inmates provides the medical care under contract and on-site. They provide emergency care treatment, on-going chronic care treatment, medical counseling, treatment by a specialist when ordered, and hospitalization when necessary. A nurse and a Classification Deputy will ask them questions about their health during their booking into the facility. However, they should ask to see the nurse if there is more information about their health that they think is important. They may do this by submitting a Sick Slip. There is a $3.00 charge for each visit that will be taken out of their trust account. Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook , May 2020, p. 14.
If the incarcerated person is taking prescriptions, pursuant to the Inmate Handbook they should;
- They should bring to the attention of the medical staff if they were taking prescription drugs before they arrived at the correctional facilities.
- Their need for prescription drugs will be medically evaluated promptly by the medical staff. They will receive the medication that is medically appropriate for them. The nurse or doctor can discuss this with their own doctor, if they request that he or she do so.
Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook , May 2020, p. 15.
Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook , May 2020 https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/24/Jail/Handbook_05-04-20.pdf?ver=2020-07-06-122440-057 (opens in new window) .
9. What is commissary and how can I set up an account with money in it for them?
Commissary is how an inmate can purchase stationery, toilet articles, snack foods, and other items by using money that is in their trust account. Any money taken from the inmate when they were first booked will be put into their trust account. You can also add to their trust account via the internet, telephone, or the kiosk located in the Main Jail Lobby. Checks or money orders cannot be sent via mail or given at the jail lobby window. You can add money to the commissary account online on the BCJ, Jail Information Page under "Money for Accounts." https://www.buttecounty.net/sheriffcoroner/jailinfo(opens in new window)
Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook , May 2020, p.10. https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/24/Jail/Handbook_05-04-20.pdf?ver=2020-07-06-122440-057 (opens in new window) .
10. How can I visit a loved one that is in jail?
- In-person visits, visiting days and hours are posted in each inmate-housing unit, and are listed on the jail’s automated telephone service – 530 538-7471. Visiting times may also be found on the sheriff’s web page at Jail Info (opens in new window)
- The inmate may have two 45-minute visiting periods each week. One visiting period on Saturday and another one on Sunday.
- To visit an inmate you must fill out an Inmate Visitor Form and present a valid form of identification.
- The visitor must be 18 years of age or older, if they are not they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- You should register at West Facility Visiting Center or the Main Jail Lobby (depending upon the inmate’s housing location) approx. 30 minutes before visiting times begin.
- During COVID-19 please call the jail first before visiting. In-person visiting has been canceled at certain times due to our public health crisis.
Kory L. Honea, Jail Inmate Handbook , May 2020, pp.11-12. https://www.buttecounty.net/Portals/24/Jail/Handbook_05-04-20.pdf?ver=2020-07-06-122440-057 (opens in new window)
