LA County Jail-Men's Central Jail: Inmate Guide
Overview of the Facility
The Men's Central Jail (MCJ) is a large detention facility located in downtown Los Angeles. It is part of the Los Angeles County jail system, operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The facility primarily houses male inmates awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences.
Contact Information
- Address: 441 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Phone: (213) 473-6100
- Website: https://lasd.org/mens-central-jail/
How to Locate an Inmate
To find an inmate at Men's Central Jail, you can use the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center:
- Visit https://app5.lasd.org/iic/ajis_search.cfm
- Enter the inmate's name or booking number
- Click "Search" to view the results
Visitation Information and Hours
Visitation at Men's Central Jail is typically conducted through video visitation. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, on-site visitation may be limited. Please check the official website or call the facility for current visitation policies.
General visiting hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
How to Send Money
There are several ways to send money to inmates at Men's Central Jail:
- Online: Visit JPay or TouchPay
- Phone: Call 1-866-588-5792 for JPay or 1-866-232-1899 for TouchPay
- Kiosk: Use kiosks located in the jail lobby
- Mail: Send a money order to the inmate's name and booking number
Phone Calls and Video Options
Inmates can make collect calls or use prepaid phone accounts. Family and friends can set up accounts through GTL for phone services. Video visitation is available through the jail's video visitation system.
Inmate Services and Programs
- Educational programs
- Vocational training
- Substance abuse treatment
- Religious services
- Mental health services
- Medical care
History of the Facility
Men's Central Jail was built in 1963 and has been in continuous operation since then. It is one of the largest jail facilities in the United States, with a capacity of over 5,000 inmates.
Security and Management Information
The facility is operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. It employs a large staff of deputies, medical professionals, and support personnel to manage the inmate population and maintain security.
Legal and Visitation Rights
Inmates have the right to legal counsel and can receive visits from their attorneys. They also have the right to receive visits from family and friends, subject to jail policies and schedules.
Booking and Release Process
Booking involves fingerprinting, photographing, and collecting personal information. Release occurs when bail is posted, sentences are completed, or court orders are issued. Personal property is returned upon release.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can I bring to visitation?
Visitors are generally not allowed to bring any items into the visitation area. Lockers are provided for storing personal belongings.
How often can inmates receive visits?
Inmates are typically allowed two 30-minute visits per week, but this may vary depending on their classification and current facility policies.
Can I send packages to inmates?
Generally, personal packages are not accepted. However, inmates can receive books and magazines directly from approved vendors.
Famous Prisoners
- Sirhan Sirhan - Assassin of Robert F. Kennedy, held here before transfer to state prison
- Charles Manson - Cult leader, temporarily held here during his trial
- Richard Ramirez - Serial killer known as the "Night Stalker," held during his trial
- O.J. Simpson - Former NFL player, held here during his murder trial
- Phil Spector - Music producer, held here before and during his murder trial
- Robert Downey Jr. - Actor, served time for drug-related charges before his career resurgence
- Suge Knight - Music executive, held here on various charges over the years
- Paris Hilton - Celebrity, briefly held here for violating probation
- Lindsay Lohan - Actress, served time for probation violations
- Chris Brown - Singer, held here on assault charges
