Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility: A Family’s Guide to Visits, Bail and Directions

The Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility is the largest jail in Kern County and the first stop for the vast majority of people arrested in the Bakersfield area. With a capacity of roughly 1,232 inmates — both male and female — it’s where pre-trial detainees wait for their cases to move through the courts. If a family member calls you in the middle of the night to say they’ve been arrested, this is almost certainly where they ended up.

This guide walks through the practical questions families ask us every day: how to confirm your loved one is there, how the bail process actually works, what visiting looks like, what to bring (and not bring), and how long it takes to bring them home. We’ve been doing this for over 50 years from our office on Blanche Street, just minutes from the facility.

Quick facts about Lerdo Pre-Trial

Address

17695 Industrial Farm Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308

Operated by

Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO)

Capacity

Approximately 1,232 beds

Houses

Pre-trial inmates, both male and female

Bail accepted

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Distance

~15 minutes north of downtown Bakersfield, off Hwy 99

One important distinction: KCSO operates several buildings on the Lerdo campus. Pre-Trial is for inmates whose cases have not yet been resolved. The Justice, Maximum/Medium Security, and Minimum Security facilities house sentenced inmates. If you’re not sure which building your person is in, the inmate search databases below will tell you — or just call us.

How to confirm someone is at Lerdo Pre-Trial

Before driving out to the facility — or before posting bail — confirm where they actually are. Two public databases will tell you:

1. kerninmatesearch.org — the most up-to-date public Kern County inmate database.
2. kernsheriff.org → “Inmate Search” — the official KCSO database.

Search by full legal name. If you have a booking number, use that — it’s the most reliable way to find them. Once you find the record, you’ll see their charges, current bail amount, custody status, and which Lerdo building they’re in.

Posting bail at Lerdo Pre-Trial

You can post bail at Lerdo Pre-Trial 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. There are two basic paths.

Cash bail (the entire amount, paid directly)

You can pay the full bail amount in cash at the lobby. The advantage: when the case is resolved and your loved one has appeared at every required court date, the cash is returned (minus court fees). The disadvantage: you tie up the entire amount — sometimes tens of thousands of dollars — for the months or years a case can take to resolve.

Surety bond through a bail bondsman (the more common path)

You pay a state-mandated 10% premium of the bail amount to a licensed bail bond company, and the bondsman posts the full bail on your loved one’s behalf. The premium is non-refundable, but you’re never out the full bail amount. We offer flexible payment plans and no-collateral options for qualified families.

The process if you call us:

1. Call 661-324-6009. A licensed agent answers any time.
2. We confirm the bail. We pull the booking record so you know the exact amount and charges before you commit.
3. You sign the paperwork. By phone, online, or in person at our office.
4. We post the bond directly at the facility.
5. Your loved one is released to the lobby. Typical wait: 2 to 6 hours after posting.

Visiting an inmate at Lerdo Pre-Trial

KCSO has moved most visiting at Lerdo to a video visitation system. You can connect from a kiosk on-site at the facility, or remotely from your own phone, tablet, or computer. Traditional in-person visits, where allowed, generally require advance scheduling.

Visiting policies, hours, and rules can change without public notice. Before driving out, always confirm current information directly with KCSO at their official site or by calling the facility. The guidance below is general and not a substitute for the latest official rules.

What to bring

• A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport).
• The inmate’s full legal name and ideally booking number.
• If using video visit from home: a stable internet connection, webcam, and microphone.

What not to bring

• Cell phones inside the visiting area — lockers may be available, or leave it in the car.
• Cameras, recording devices, or large bags.
• Food, drink, or gifts — nothing can be passed to the inmate.
• Weapons of any kind, including pepper spray or pocket knives. These are illegal on jail property.

Dress code

KCSO enforces a dress code for visitors. Generally: no clothing matching inmate uniform colors (typically orange, red, or blue — check current policy), no revealing clothing (tank tops, low-cut tops, short skirts or shorts, transparent fabrics), no clothing with offensive language or imagery, and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Sending money and phone calls

Phone calls

Inmates can make outgoing collect or pre-paid calls through the jail’s phone vendor. Friends and family can set up a pre-paid account with the vendor so calls don’t fail mid-conversation. Vendors change periodically — check the KCSO website for the current provider and instructions.

Commissary and trust account deposits

Inmates use deposited funds for commissary purchases (snacks, hygiene items, writing supplies) and to pay for phone calls or video visits. You can deposit money online through the jail’s deposit vendor, via kiosk in the Lerdo lobby (cash or card), or by mail with a money order — address it carefully and include the inmate’s full name and booking number.

Deposit limits and fees vary by deposit method. Confirm the current vendor and fee schedule on the KCSO website before sending money.

Directions and drive times

From downtown Bakersfield, head north on Highway 99. Take the Industrial Farm Road exit. The Lerdo campus is clearly marked. Free parking is available on site.

Our office at 1710 Blanche Street is just minutes from Lerdo. If you’d rather meet in person before bail is posted, or pick up paperwork on the way to the facility, we’re close.

What happens after release

Once bail is posted and processed, your loved one will be released to the Lerdo lobby. They’ll have whatever personal property they were booked in with (returned in a sealed bag), and any release paperwork — including their next court date, which is the most important piece of paper they’ll leave with.

A few things to plan for:

• Release time can be unpredictable — we typically tell families to expect 2 to 6 hours but it can be longer during busy weekends.
• There is no shuttle from Lerdo. Plan to pick them up.
• The cell phone they were booked with may have a dead battery. Bring a charger if possible.
• If they have a court date within 48 hours, make sure they have transportation to the correct courthouse. We can help confirm which one.

Frequently asked questions

Can I post bail at the Lerdo lobby myself?

Yes — cash bail can be posted at the facility 24/7. Most families work with a bail bondsman so they’re not out the full amount.

How long until my loved one is released after I post bail?

Typically 2 to 6 hours. Release timing depends on jail volume, current intake/release operations, and the time of day. Late nights and weekends are usually slower. We’ll give you our best estimate when bail is posted.

What if there’s a hold on my loved one?

“Holds” can include immigration detainers (ICE), warrants from another county, parole or probation holds, or PC 1275 holds (which require a hearing on the source of bail money). A hold means even if bail is posted, the inmate may not be released. Always confirm hold status before posting bail. We can check this for you when you call.

Will the bail bondsman drive to Lerdo for me?

Yes. We handle every step of posting bail at Lerdo. You don’t need to go to the facility unless you want to be there for the release.

Does Lerdo Pre-Trial accept credit cards for bail or commissary?

Cash bail is typically accepted at the lobby. For commissary deposits, online and kiosk options accept cards. Vendors and acceptance rules change — verify with KCSO before you go.

Are video visits free?

On-site kiosk video visits are typically free; remote video visits from home or mobile usually have a per-minute fee through the jail’s vendor. Check the current vendor’s pricing on the KCSO site.