After nearly 50 years, the Vista Detention Facility is in dire need of modernization due to failing and outdated infrastructure.
On Tuesday, June 16, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez hosted a community forum at the Encinitas Community Center to talk about the future and modernization of the Vista Detention Facility.
For nearly two hours, Sheriff Martinez, along with members of the Sheriff’s Detention Services Bureau (including the Vista Detention Facility and Sheriff’s Reentry Services), the San Diego County Department of General Services (DGS), law enforcement leaders and community experts, spoke at length about why a new and modern jail is needed in the North County.
Community members were briefed on how the new jail will incorporate enhanced medical and mental health spaces to better serve and support individuals in our custody. They also had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions to learn about Sheriff’s Reentry Programs, Medical & Mental Health, Facility Design & Construction and Community Impacts.
“It’s important for us to explain to our communities why there is an urgent need to modernize the Vista Detention Facility,” said Sheriff Martinez. “We want to listen to the public’s thoughts and ideas to continue building trust as we move forward with this project.”
This is the second public forum that has been held to inform the public about the Vista Detention Facility modernization project. The first one was held in Vista in February 2026.
For the past several years, Sheriff Martinez and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office have been working on a plan to build a new state-of-the-art detention facility on the site of the current jail in Vista.
Built in 1972 (with expansions in 1978 and 1988), the Vista Detention Facility, located adjacent to the Vista Sheriff’s Station and North County Superior Court, has long outlived its use.
A new county jail in Vista will:
Increase safety, security and improved work environments for deputies, medical and mental health staff.
Improve medical and mental health outcomes for people in custody.
Meet modern jail standards, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, and rehabilitative support programming.
Support comprehensive re-entry programming to allow for more community partnerships with the goal of reduced recidivism.
Reflect the Sheriff’s vision for improved detention services.
Continue serving the North County as a jail that can book both male and female incarcerated persons in a facility close to the cities where they live.
A new, more efficiently designed North County booking facility will decrease booking times, allowing for the Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies to return to their communities sooner for increased patrol and public safety.
Photo thumbnail of Building Reentry: Why Infrastructure Matters video
Click on the above photo to watch a video highlighting the need for a modernized Vista Detention Facility. You will hear about success stories from formerly incarcerated individuals who participated in Sheriff’s Reentry Services programs, which will be a focal point of the new facility.
On February 3, 2022, the California State Auditor issued a report on San Diego County jails, specifically on in-custody deaths, and recommendations on how to improve health care services and safety in jails.
Through the leadership of Sheriff Martinez, the Sheriff’s Office has been working to improve service delivery to those in our custodial care. This has been achieved through focused and extraordinary changes to existing systems and processes. Significant strides have been made toward improved and enhanced care.
Despite many improvements, further investments are necessary to update aging detention facilities and infrastructure. Significant investment is needed to update or replace systems that have reached end-of-life, including upgrades to plumbing, security, and electrical building infrastructure. Investing in infrastructure allows needed programming in proper spaces, especially medical and therapeutic services where confidentiality is critical.
To learn more about ongoing efforts to modernize the Vista Detention Facility, including information about future community forums, click here. To learn more about Sheriff’s Reentry Services, click here.
