Prison Place

                   ***COMPLETE JAIL LISTINGS BELOW***

What to do if someone is arrested....... 

STEP ONE: SUPPORT YOUR RELATIVE

• If your family member/friend calls you and says that he/she has been arrested, help him/her stay calm and offer your help and support. 

• If your family member/friend is being held in a city jail, remind him/her of the right to have an attorney present if being questioned by police officers or detectives. 

• If he/she is already at the Inmate Reception Center at the downtown Los Angeles County Jail, he/she will be screened for mental illness, as well as other health concerns, upon arrival. It is very important that they be direct and honest to benefit as much as possible from this screening process. Assure your family member that it is OK to discuss his/her physical and mental condition, diagnosis, medications, etc., with the staff conducting the screening, which includes Sheriff’s nursing staff and Jail Mental Health Service staff. It is important your family member feels safe to speak openly with the mental health screeners.

STEP TWO:  CONTACT THE LOCAL JAIL

• Call the local city jail (not the County Jail) that is holding your family member and ask for the Watch Commander. Inform him that your family member suffers from a mental illness and describe the diagnosis and any other concerns you might have. Inquire as to your relative’s status and estimated length of stay at this facility. Ask if he/she is expected to be released directly from the city jail. If he/she is going to be released directly from the city jail (this sometimes occurs for minor offenses), ask for the time and place so you can be there to pick them up. If your relative is severely ill, ask if the city police could take him/her to a psychiatric hospital for a “5150” involuntary three-day hold for treatment and evaluation.

• If your relative is not going to be released directly from the city jail, ask that he/she be transferred as quickly as possible to the County Jail. 
  
• Be sure to get the following information:
  1. the expected date and time of departure for the County Jail.
  2. the court arraignment date and address. 
     
• Medication will probably not be accessible until your relative arrives at County Jail, but you might inquire if the holding facility can obtain needed medications. 

Upon arrival at the County Jail or Twin Towers, call the Inmate Information Center at 213-473-6080 or 213-473-6100. Inquire as to your family member’s location (tower, floor and pod number) and, most importantly, his/her booking number. 

• Use the information on this Forum Page to access visiting hours, mailing address, and frequently asked questions. 
  
• TIP:  When visiting Twin Towers, always bring a few quarters for a locker to store your personal belongings while you visit your family member. Photo ID is also required.

• If you have any difficulty with this process, call the Department of Mental Health Family Advocate at 213-637-2311 during regular business hours and ask for John Griffin or Dr. Lewis Webb.
  
• Don’t forget to provide your family member’s name, location, and booking number.

DECIDING ON LEGAL REPRESENTATION

• Your family member may want to retain a private attorney or use the Public Defenders Office. A public defender will be assigned at arraignment if your relative does not have or cannot afford a private attorney. Do not be afraid to use a public defender. Public defenders often have knowledge of the system as it pertains to those who need mental health services.
  
• If your family member decides to retain a private attorney, be sure to select one that is well versed in helping people with mental illness and understands how to access the treatment facilities and mental health services that are available.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Bail:   Think carefully about posting bail for your family member. No one wants a loved one to remain incarcerated for any length of time. It is an unpleasant experience for them as well as the family. However, you must ask yourself the following question. Will your family member be able to comply with the terms of the bail and appear in court when required? Also, as hard as it may seem, jail may be a safer place for a person with severe mental illness who is in crisis rather than having your loved one wander the streets with no help at all. At least in jail they will be fed, will have shelter, and be given access to medication treatments. 

Working with an attorney:  Public defenders are extremely busy and do not have much time for phone calls. They will appreciate written or faxed correspondence. Remember, it is the inmate, not you, who is his client. A private attorney will grant you more time, but remember you are paying for that access. Provide the attorney with an extensive medical/psychiatric/social/educational history of your family member in writing.

        ******JAILS*******
 

Inmate Reception Center (IRC)
450 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012      

IRC IS A TEMPORARY HOLDING LOCATION ONLY, VISITING IS NOT ALLOWED.

The Inmate Reception Center is the primary intake and release facility of male inmates for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Jail System which currently houses approximately 18,000 inmates. IRC is responsible for the maintenance and storage of all male inmate records, clothing, property, and funds. IRC is the transfer and pickup point for inter facility transfers and for custody transfers and custody releases to the state prison system, INS, and other governmental agencies. IRC conducts initial medical and mental screening of inmates. IRC is also responsible for the classification of all male inmates and population management of the jail system.
We are currently the largest facility in the Sheriff's Department with approximately 800 employees, of which about 450 are professional staff.

Inmate Information: 213-473-6100

Information Related to Female Inmates, contact: Century Regional Detention Facility, 11705 Alameda St.,
Lynwood, CA 90262, Phone: 323-568-5100 

Property Information: 213 473-6191  *  Cashier: 213-893-5875

Clothing and Property:

Persons desiring to retrieve property and/or clothing for male inmates sentenced to state prison, should come to the Inmate Reception Center between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. The rationale for these time restrictions is that the items are stored in another location, not easily accessible except during this time.

Cashier:

To mail money to an inmate anywhere in the Los Angeles County Jail system send a Bank Cashier's Check, Money Order or Postal Money Order to P.O. Box 86164 Terminal Annex Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164. Refer to the Inmate Mail Regulations for further guidelines.

To deposit money for an inmate anywhere in the Los Angeles County Jail system, in person, there are two locations. The Cashier's window in the lobby at IRC is open 24 hours, everyday.

To withdraw money from an inmate's account you must obtain a Third Party Withdrawal Slip (pink money release form) from the visiting area. Procedures vary by facility, inquire at the visiting check-in window. The withdrawal slip must be processed within 24 hours.

To post bail for an inmate or pay a fine, make the Cashier's Check payable to "Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department." This can only be done through the IRC cashiering office.

Mail Room:
General mail address for all inmates is as follows:
                                  Inmate Name, Booking Number
                                  PO BOX 86164
                                  Terminal Annex
                                  Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164

Mail for inmates housed at the Pitchess Detention Center (PDC):
                                  Inmate Name, Booking Number
                                  P.O. Box 86164
                                  Terminal Annex
                                  Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164

Mail for detainees at Mira Loma Detention Center: 
                                  Detainee Name, Booking Number, Alien Number
                                  Mira Loma Detention Center
                                  45100 N. 60th Street West
                                  Lancaster, CA 93536

Mail for female inmates at Century Regional Detention Facility: 
                                  Detainee Name, Booking Number
                                  Century Regional Detention Facility
                                  11705 S. Alameda Street
                                  Lynwood, CA 90262

 MEN'S CENTRAL JAIL

he Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Men's Central Jail is committed to providing the public with a safe, secure and pleasant environment where inmate visits are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and facility policies. Please call the Inmate Information Center at (213) 473-6100 prior to your arrival at Men's Central Jail to determine if the inmate you intend to visit is allowed a visit and if there are any special restrictions on their visiting privilege. Generally if an inmate is attending court on any given day they will not be allowed a visit for that day.

Visiting: Thursday through Sunday; 10am - 3pm and 5 pm - 7pm
 

Mail Room:
General mail address for all inmates is as follows:
Inmate Name, Booking Number
PO BOX 86164
Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164

CENTURY REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER

11705 South Alameda Street
Lynwood, CA 90262

Business Phone:
(323) 568-4500
Watch Commander:
(323) 568-4506
(Inmate information is not available
at the above phone number)

Inmate Information:
213-473-6100

Members of the general public may visit inmates at any
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Jail Facility.
Visiting hours vary and are subject to change without prior notice.
Current facility visiting hours are listed below.

• All persons requesting visitation privileges must be in possession of a valid photo identification including:
  - a valid California Identification Card or driver's license,
  - U.S. Military identification card,
  - A valid Passport/Visa,
  - Alien Registration card,
  
  
• Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, or legal guardian and must present a valid school photo identification card.
  
  
• Record checks may be made if it is considered necessary for the security of the inmates, employees, visitors, or the facility.

 Mail for female inmates at:
                        Century Regional Detention Facility
                        11705 S. Alameda Street
                        Lynwood, CA 90262

 MIRA LOMA DETENTION CENTER

Mira Loma Detention Center
45100 60th West, Lancaster, CA 93536                                        
Bus. Phone: 661-949-3811  *   Inmate Information: 213-473-6080

Mira Loma is contracted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to house illegal immigrants until their immigration case is decided. We function as a regular County jail with the exception that the individuals we house are identified as detainees. Federal detainees representing over sixty countries world-wide. They are being detained at the facility via the I.N.S. until their case is decided.

 DETAINEE VISITING:

Visiting Hours:
Visiting Hours are 7a.m. to 3 p.m. In order to accommodate everyone, all visitors must check in no later than 2 p.m.

These Visiting Hours are also in effect on the following holidays:
New Year's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

DETAINEE MAIL:
Mail may be sent directly to a detainee housed at Mira Loma Detention Center at the following address:       
                                                           Mira Loma Detention Center
                                                           45100 N. 60th Street West
                                                           Lancaster CA 93536
All mail must include the following information:
                                                           Detainee name
                                                           Booking Number
                                                           Alien Number

DETAINEE MONEY:
No cash will be accepted in the mail. Money orders from the U.S. Post Office, Continental Express, Travelers Express, and Albertson's with a value of $200.00 or less, are accepted. Money orders over $200.00 will be returned to the sender.

Note:
Visitors must check in by 2:00 p.m. to be allowed to visit. Visits are one hour long, unless special arrangements are made in advance for a two hour visit.
The visit may include up to four persons, including children.

 TWIN TOWERS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

The Twin Towers Correctional Facility is a unique complex built on 10 acres of land with buildings that contain just under 1.5 million square feet. Twin Towers consists of two towers, a medical services building, and the Los Angeles County Medical Center Jail Ward. The towers, which have been constructed using an efficient Panoptic design, to house maximum security inmates and a large portion of the county's mental health inmates. The Medical Services Building provides inpatient housing for inmates with various levels of acute medical and mental health needs. Inmates requiring extended levels of health care service are transported to the Los Angeles County Medical Center.

450 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Business Phone:
213-893-5100
(Inmate information is not available
at the above phone number)

Inmate information is
available 24 hours a day
by calling (213) 473-6100

General mail address for all inmates is as follows:

                        Inmate Name, Booking Number
                        PO BOX 86164
                        Terminal Annex
                        Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164

Members of the general public may visit inmates at any
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Jail Facility.
Visiting hours vary and are subject to change without prior notice.
Current facility visiting hours are listed below.

• All persons requesting visitation privileges must be in possession of a valid photo identification including:
  - a valid California Identification Card or driver's license,
  - U.S. Military identification card,
  - A valid Passport/Visa,
  - Alien Registration card,
  
  
• Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, or legal guardian and must present a valid school photo identification card.
  
  
• Record checks may be made if it is considered necessary for the security of the inmates, employees, visitors, or the facility.

 PRITCHESS DETENTION CENTER - EAST FACILITY

Pitchess Detention Center - East Facility
29310 The Old Road, Castaic, CA 91384-2905                           

Bus. Phone: (661) 295-8815 (Business only, NOT for Inmate information)

General Inmate Information, call: 213-473-6080

Visiting:
available weekends and special holidays including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Mail Information:
Mail for inmates housed at the Pitchess Detention Center (PDC):

Inmate Name, Booking Number
P.O. Box 86164
Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164

Hours:
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Dr. Elmer T. Jaffe Visiting Center - 29300 The Old Road, Castaic, CA 91384
Visiting Information, call: (661) 295-8074

Pitchess Detention Center - East Facility was opened in 1951 as a disciplinary unit. The East Facility is currently the oldest operating jail facility in Los Angeles County. It was designed to house over 850 inmates and consisted of two hard lock modules and an inmate processing area. East Facility currently participates in a program to house approximately 400 parole violators awaiting their parole revocation hearings, also known as "Morrissey Hearing". East Facility efforts to reduce jail violence and improve inmate services included a revamping of the inmate complaint process and the delivery of meals, sick call, and pill call to the dormitories.

 

PRITCHESS DETENTION CENTER NORTH FACILITY 

Pitchess Detention Center - North Facility
29320 The Old Road, Castaic, CA 91384                                     

Bus. Phone: (661) 295-8840 (Business only, NOT for Inmate information)

General Inmate Information, call: 213-473-6080

Pitchess Detention Center North Facility is a maximum security complex capable of housing 1,500 inmates. The facility's current population is pre-sentenced and sentenced male inmates with security levels ranging from low to high. The inmate housing area consists of four individual concrete modules each containing four dormitory style living quarters, eight disciplinary cells, a multipurpose room, a medical center, a visiting center, and three security stations. Each dormitory has the capacity to house 96 inmates. The dormitories were designed with the intention of creating a safe and secure, self-contained living environment. Each dormitory has a sleeping area, dining area, which also doubles as a day-room, and restroom facilities. Each dormitory has access to an exercise yard.

Visiting:
- Visiting registration is located at the PDC Main Visiting center.
- Visiting is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, and the following holidays: New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Hours of operation are:
8:00AM to 2:00PM, and they are strictly adhered to.

Each inmate is limited to one hour of visiting per weekend.
The hour may be split into two one-half hour visits. An additional visiting hour is permitted on the aforementioned holidays.

Facility Access Guidelines:
– Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
– All persons requesting visitation privileges must be in possession of a valid photo identification. The following forms of identification will be accepted:

* Valid California Identification card or a Driver's License
* Valid School Identification card
* U.S. Military Identification card
* Valid Passport/Visa
* Alien Registration card
* Other Valid U.S. Government Identification card

– Random security checks of persons and/or their property are conducted and considered necessary to provide security for the facility, inmates, employees, and visitors.

– Attorney visits are Monday through Friday, 10:00AM to 8:00PM, or per the Watch Commander.

      ***PLEASE REFER TO OUR ADVERTISERS FOR BAIL AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION***

This is specifically for this claim from the above artikle:

DETAINEE MONEY:
No cash will be accepted in the mail. Money orders from the U.S. Post Office, Continental Express, Travelers Express, and Albertson's with a value of $200.00 or less, are accepted. Money orders over $200.00 will be returned to the sender

 I was at MLDC for 5 Months. During this time I received about $400.-- from Friends - all in the mail. So, while it's certainly NOT recommeded to send cash in the mail, my experience is that the money is not returned to the sender, but placed into an account at the 'bank' the Sherrifs at MLDC set-up to allow inmates to hold more money than they can have on their person.