CLIENT RESOURCES

Below are answers to frequently asked questions, helpful resources and links to additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How do I Send Books to an Inmate in the County Jails?
2. How do I Send Periodicals to an Inmate in the County Jails?
3. How do I Get Involved with an FOSCC Program?
4. How do I Navigate the Santa Clara County Department of Correction?
5. How do I Visit an Inmate at the County Jails?
6. How can I get Married/Divorced to Someone in Custody?
7. How do I Get a Document Notarized/Signed

1. Useful Phone Numbers
2. 2-1-1 is a free, non-emergency, confidential, 3 digit phone number and service that provides streamlined access to critical health and human services.
3. Inmate Advocacy & Support
4. Information for Ex-Prisoners
5. Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
6. Need Food?
7. Friends Outside Chapters (in Other Counties

1. Sending Books to an Inmate in the County Jails

In order to send books to an inmate at the Elmwood or Mail Jail complexes, you must follow these guidelines:

• We can only deliver paperback books; we cannot deliver hardback books, magazines or newspapers.
• Purchase the books from a bookstore/seller or on-line distributor.
• Books must be sent by the bookstore – we cannot accept personally mailed books.
• Send the books addressed as follows:

• Books are then logged at FOSCC and delivered to the inmate within 10 business days.Please allow for the occasional delay due to volume of books received, availability of staff, and access to inmates at time of delivery

2. Sending Periodicals to an Inmate in the County Jails

• Order a subscription of the magazine or newspaper in the inmate’s name and send it directly to the facility in which they are in custody.
• Periodicals sent to Friends Outside will be returned to the publisher; we are not allowed to deliver magazines or newspapers.

3. How to Get Involved with an FOSCC Program

Call our office to set up a time to meet with a representative from the Program.

4. Santa Clara County Department of Correction Information

Department of Correction Website

5. Visiting an Inmate at the County Jails

Santa Clara County Elmwood Jail

ONLINE VISITING INFORMATION

Visiting dates and times are pre-arranged by the inmate, who submits your visiting application and picks the day and time he wants you to visit.

• Once your day and time has been set, you may start your visit.
• The inmate is allowed only one-hour visit per day, per week.
• You must have a valid California ID to visit.
• You must dress conservatively in order to visit, or you may be sent home.

While Friends Outside in Santa Clara County provides several programs and services, there are other resources in the community for areas that we do not address.

6. Getting Married/Divorced

7. Notary Services

Friends Outside in Santa Clara County offers notary services for our clients and inmates in the custody of the Santa Clara County Department of Correction. Our notary has the proper security clearance and authority to perform the following acts:

• Acknowledgements
• Proofs of Executing by a subscribing witness
• Oaths and Affirmations
• Jurats on affidavits and depositions
• Copy certifications and protests
• Powers of Attorney
• Temporary Guardianships
• Court Documents
• Vehicle Releases
• Permission to Travel with Minor Child

The Friends Outside Notary Public cannot supply or advise on the document/s. Documents to be notarized must be complete. If you have a document that needs to be notarized, the signer must personally appear before the notary and produce one of the following valid California approved Identifications.

If no ID is available for the document signer, two credible identifying witnesses are necessary. A credible identifying witness is defined as a person who personally knows the signer and affirms their identity. They must be honest and impartial (cannot be named on document). They must have a California-approved identification and they must sign the Notary’s journal. If the signing is in a Jail Facility they must register and be approved for a visit in that facility. County jail ID does not qualify as valid per state law. 

Note: Internal Department of Correction operational emergencies may delay the completion of the notarization. Friends Outside has no control over these and will have to return to complete the signing. Staffing, travel and time constraints may interfere with notarizations. FO will make every effort to ensure timely completion.  8. Sending Glasses to an Inmate in the County Jails You may send glasses to an inmate in the County Jail through Friends Outside by purchasing a pair of plastic framed glasses and bringing them to our office. Please put the inmate’s name, booking number, PFN and your contact information on the envelope. Friends Outside will then arrange the delivery of the glasses to the inmate. Contacts and Contact Solution can also be delivered by Friends Outside provided it in a sealed package.