What Happens at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta
Published 2026-02-22 • Bright Bail Bonds, Lake Elsinore, CA
The Southwest Detention Center (SWDC) in Murrieta, California is a Riverside County Sheriff's Department detention facility that serves as the primary jail for residents of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, and surrounding south Riverside County communities. When someone is arrested in these areas, they are typically transported to SWDC for booking, bail processing, and custody until release. Understanding what happens at this facility helps families navigate the bail process more effectively.
The Booking Process at SWDC
After arrest, the defendant is transported to the Southwest Detention Center located at 30755-B Auld Road, Murrieta, CA 92563. The booking process includes personal information recording, fingerprinting and photographs, medical screening, property inventory and storage, background and warrant checks, and classification and housing assignment. Booking at SWDC typically takes 2-4 hours, depending on how busy the facility is. Until booking is complete, bail cannot be posted.
How Bail Works at Southwest Detention Center
Once booking is complete, the defendant's bail amount is set according to the Riverside County bail schedule. For most charges, bail can be posted immediately after booking. A family member or friend contacts a licensed bail bond company like Bright Bail Bonds to initiate the bail process. Bright Bail Bonds is located in nearby Lake Elsinore — just minutes from SWDC — enabling us to process bail quickly for defendants at this facility.
The bail bond agent submits the surety bond to the Southwest Detention Center, and the facility begins processing the release. Release times at SWDC typically range from 2-6 hours after bail is posted, though this can vary based on facility volume, shift changes, and the complexity of the booking.
Visiting and Contacting Inmates at SWDC
The Southwest Detention Center has specific visitation hours and procedures. Video visitation is available through the Riverside County Sheriff's Department system. Phone calls from inmates are processed through the facility's phone system. For questions about a specific inmate's status, families can call SWDC directly or have their bail bond agent check on their behalf.
Getting Help Now
If your loved one is being held at the Southwest Detention Center, Bright Bail Bonds can start the bail process immediately. Our proximity to SWDC and our deep familiarity with the facility's procedures means faster processing and quicker releases. We offer bail bond loans and flexible payment plans for families in Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, and throughout south Riverside County.
Call 888-546-9733 — available 24/7 — or visit us at 224 W. Graham Avenue, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530.
Source: Bright Bail Bonds, Lake Elsinore, CA. For official Southwest Detention Center information, contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.