Los Angeles County Jail: Inmate Search, Bail, Visitation & Release
If someone was arrested in Los Angeles or elsewhere in LA County, start here. Use the official Los Angeles County inmate search, find the person's current jail location, check bail and court information, schedule visitation, send money, understand phone and mail procedures, and learn what happens when someone is released or transferred.
Los Angeles County has many independent police agencies. Someone arrested by LAPD or another city police department may initially remain in that agency's detention facility before transfer or release. LAPD currently advises that inmate information may not be available for bookings occurring within the most recent two hours. If a LASD search is blank after a very recent arrest, identify the arresting agency and check again later.
How to Find Someone in Los Angeles County Jail
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates the official Inmate Information Center for adults booked into the county's jail information system.
Inmate Information Center
Search current Los Angeles County custody information using the Sheriff's official system.
Depending on the record, public information may include the person's booking details, arrest information, bail amount, current housing location, court date and location, release information and holds.
Open Official LA County Inmate Search →Inmate Information Line
If you cannot locate the person online or need assistance with custody information, call:
213-473-6100
Have the person's complete legal name, approximate age or date of birth, and booking number if you know it.
Once you locate the correct person, save the LASD booking number. It can help with visitation, mail, deposits, court inquiries and confirming that you are dealing with the correct person.
Los Angeles County Jail Locations
“Los Angeles County Jail” is not a single building. LASD operates multiple custody facilities, and people can be transferred between facilities based on classification, medical needs, court status, security and available housing.
| Facility | Location | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Central Jail (MCJ) |
441 Bauchet Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Major downtown LASD custody facility adjacent to the Twin Towers and criminal courthouse complex. |
| Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF) |
450 Bauchet Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Large downtown correctional facility. LASD policy identifies Twin Towers as an important specialized and mental-health housing location. |
| Inmate Reception Center (IRC) |
450 Bauchet Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Central processing operation responsible for functions including male booking, release, classification, records, property, warrants, bail and housing placement. |
| Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) |
11705 S. Alameda Street Lynwood, CA 90262 |
LASD custody facility in Lynwood. Confirm current housing through the inmate locator before visiting or mailing anything. |
| North County Correctional Facility (NCCF) |
29340 The Old Road Castaic, CA 91384 |
Part of the large Pitchess Detention Center custody complex in northern Los Angeles County. |
| Pitchess Detention Center – North |
29320 The Old Road Castaic, CA 91384 |
One of the LASD facilities within the Pitchess Detention Center complex. |
| Pitchess Detention Center – South |
29330 The Old Road Castaic, CA 91384 |
Another active facility within the Pitchess detention complex. |
LASD can classify and transfer people to another facility after initial processing. Check the current housing location in the official inmate search immediately before visiting.
What Happens After Someone Is Arrested in Los Angeles County?
Los Angeles County is different from many counties because dozens of law-enforcement agencies make arrests within the county. The arresting agency may initially hold the person before LASD receives them.
- Arrest by LAPD, LASD or another agency The person may initially be processed at a police or sheriff station, municipal detention facility or another booking location.
- Booking information is entered Identifying information, fingerprints, charges, property and other booking data are processed.
- Release eligibility is reviewed Depending on the charge and circumstances, a person may qualify for release, require monetary bail, remain in custody pending court or be subject to other conditions or holds.
- Court appearance If the person remains in custody, the criminal case proceeds to the appropriate Los Angeles County Superior Court.
- LASD housing assignment A person remaining in county custody can be assigned to a facility based on classification, medical and mental-health needs, security requirements and institutional needs.
How Bail and Release Work in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County does not have one simple rule where every person receives a cash bail amount. Release can depend on the offense, warrant, court order, pre-arraignment procedures, bail schedule, judicial decision and other holds.
Release Without Paying Bail
Some eligible people may be released on a promise to appear or under other pretrial procedures without posting money.
Monetary Bail
California and Los Angeles County continue to use bail schedules and monetary bail in applicable cases. The exact amount should be confirmed using the current inmate and court information.
Remain in Custody
Some defendants remain detained because of the charge, judicial order, warrant, hold, inability to satisfy release conditions or other legal circumstances.
LASD's inmate information can include bail and hold information. Satisfying bail on one case does not necessarily result in release if another case, warrant, detainer or court order remains.
Bail Deviation and Own Recognizance Programs
Los Angeles County Probation operates pretrial programs that can evaluate eligible defendants for release or bail reduction in qualifying cases.
Bail Deviation information: 800-773-5151
Own Recognizance / Pretrial Services: 213-351-0373
LA County Pretrial Services →How to Find a Los Angeles County Court Date or Criminal Case
The inmate locator can provide court information for someone currently in LASD custody, while the Los Angeles Superior Court maintains the criminal court record.
Start With the LASD Record
LASD's public inmate information may identify the next court date and courthouse for a current inmate.
Check LASD Record →Los Angeles Superior Court
The Superior Court provides criminal case resources and allows members of the public to search criminal case information using defendant or case information.
LA Court Criminal Division →CourtConnect
CourtConnect can search today's hearings by case number, courthouse calendar/department or name.
Open CourtConnect →Do not assume the case is at the downtown Criminal Justice Center. The correct courthouse depends on where the case was filed and the type and stage of proceeding.
Los Angeles County Jail Visitation
LASD uses its Inmate Video Visitation System, or IVVS, to register and schedule public visits.
LASD's current visitation system states that public visits must be scheduled. Appointments can be made up to seven days in advance and availability depends on the facility.
Schedule the Visit Online
Register through LASD's official visitation system and select an available appointment for the inmate and facility.
Schedule LASD Visitation →Visitation Help Desk
LASD currently lists the IVVS public help desk at:
213-680-4887
Current help-desk hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Current LASD instructions tell visitors to arrive about 60 minutes early for Men's Central Jail and Pitchess/NCCF visits, and at least 30 minutes early at other visiting locations. Check the confirmation for your specific facility before traveling.
Current LASD custody policy provides each inmate at least two visits totaling one hour per week, subject to operational and security requirements.
Los Angeles County Jail Phone Calls
Jail telephones are primarily used for outgoing calls. You generally cannot call a housing unit and ask to be connected directly to an inmate.
Initial Telephone Access
California law provides arrested people certain telephone rights after booking. LASD facility policies also provide reasonable ongoing access to telephones.
Current LASD facility procedures generally require telephone access at least once during each 24-hour period, subject to operational restrictions and emergencies.
Outgoing Calls
Housing-unit phones are designed for outgoing calls using LASD's inmate telephone system.
Phone availability can temporarily be restricted for counts, meals, emergencies, lockdowns, investigations and other jail operations.
A person may still be going through booking, may have been moved, may be in court, or phone access may temporarily be unavailable. First confirm current custody and housing through the LASD inmate locator.
How to Send Money to Someone in Los Angeles County Jail
Los Angeles County now allows online inmate deposits through Access Corrections.
Access Corrections
LASD began accepting online deposits through Access Corrections effective July 28, 2025.
Access Corrections support: 866-345-1884
Access Corrections →Use the Correct Inmate
Confirm the person's current LASD booking and identifying information before submitting money.
LASD's online deposit instructions require a valid residential address and state that P.O. box addresses are not accepted for the depositor.
Start from the official LASD inmate record and LASD-approved deposit provider. Verify the inmate, booking information and purpose of the payment before sending funds.
Sending Mail to a Los Angeles County Jail Inmate
LASD processes incoming inmate correspondence through its custody mail system and routes it to the person's current housing location.
Use the Exact Booking Information
Mail processing relies heavily on the person's correct legal name and LASD booking number.
LASD mail personnel verify booking numbers and housing information before mail is routed.
Mail Is Inspected
Non-legal incoming correspondence is opened and inspected for contraband and prohibited items before delivery.
Confidential legal mail follows separate procedures.
LASD's Inmate Reception Center routes correspondence to the inmate's permanent housing location. If housing has not yet been assigned, mail may be held and forwarded after placement.
Restrictions differ by type of item and jail policy can change. Confirm the person's current booking and use LASD's current custody instructions before sending anything other than ordinary correspondence.
Medical and Mental Health Care in LA County Jail
Los Angeles County's jail system includes specialized medical and mental-health housing and services. Housing can change when a person's clinical needs require a different level of care.
Twin Towers & Specialized Care
Current LASD policy identifies Twin Towers Correctional Facility as a major location for male mental-health housing and specialized custody services.
Urgent Concern
If you believe someone in custody has an urgent medical or mental health need, identify the person's current housing facility and contact LASD rather than waiting for routine correspondence.
Inmate Information: 213-473-6100
Family members may sometimes provide important health information even when medical staff cannot disclose protected medical details back to the family.
Los Angeles County Jail Release Information
A release order does not always mean the person will leave the jail immediately. LASD must verify the legal authority for release, process records and property, check holds and complete the appropriate discharge procedures.
Check the LASD Inmate Record
LASD's inmate-information system may show release information, court information and holds affecting custody.
Check Current Custody →Inmate Reception Center
LASD policy assigns the Inmate Reception Center important release functions for male prisoners, including records, property, trust funds, bail and discharge processing.
IRC is located within the downtown Men's Central Jail / Twin Towers custody complex.
Other charges, warrants, court holds, another agency, identification issues, record processing, transportation and release conditions can all affect the actual time a person leaves custody.
Get Notified About Release or Transfer
Los Angeles County participates in VINE, the Victim Information and Notification Everyday system.
VINE / VINELink
VINE can provide custody-status information and notifications when a registered Los Angeles County inmate is released or transferred.
Telephone: 1-877-411-5588
TTY: 1-866-847-1298
VINELink →LASD explains that a person registered with VINE for LA County custody must be registered again under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system after transfer to state prison.
Transferred From LA County Jail to California State Prison?
LASD county jail custody and California state prison custody are separate systems.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Once a sentenced person has been transferred from Los Angeles County to CDCR, use California's state inmate locator instead of LASD's county-jail search.
California State Inmate Locator →Los Angeles County Jail FAQ
How do I find someone in Los Angeles County Jail?
What information does the LA County inmate search show?
Why can't I find someone who was just arrested by LAPD?
What is the Los Angeles County Jail phone number?
Is Men's Central Jail the only LA County jail?
How do I find which LA County jail someone is in?
Can I walk into Los Angeles County Jail for a visit?
How early should I arrive for an LA County jail visit?
How do I send money to an LA County inmate?
Does Los Angeles County still use bail?
How do I find someone's LA County court date?
Can I send mail to someone while they are still being processed?
How do I get notified when someone is released from LA County Jail?
What happens if someone is transferred to California state prison?
Find Someone in Another County
Browse other independently researched GotLockedUp county jail guides or return to the national inmate-search directory.
Los Angeles County Jail Contacts
Use the office that controls the information you are trying to find.
Los Angeles, CA 90012