909-310-3372

Los Angeles County Jail Inmate Search

Los Angeles · Los Angeles County

909-310-3372
  • All 14 local jails San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and LA County facilities.
  • A real person calls back We confirm the details with you by phone.
  • Confidential Your details are never shared without your consent.
  • Open 7 days a week Send a request any time, day or night.
  • Address 441 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • Facility type County jail complex (MCJ + IRC)
  • Operated by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

About Los Angeles County Jail

Also known as: Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) and the Inmate Reception Center (IRC), Bauchet Street, downtown Los Angeles

When people say “Los Angeles County Jail,” they usually mean the Sheriff’s downtown complex on Bauchet Street, near Union Station. Two facilities there do different jobs. Men’s Central Jail (MCJ), at 441 Bauchet Street, is a housing jail with beds for about 5,640 men of every security level, plus medical housing for people who need daily care or use wheelchairs or crutches.

The Inmate Reception Center (IRC), across the street at 450 Bauchet inside the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, is where people enter and leave the county system. It handles intake, classification, processing and release — about 120,000 people a year — and also stores property, runs the cashier window and processes incoming mail. Someone may be booked through the IRC and then housed at Men’s Central Jail or at another county jail.

Visiting hours & rules

Visits at Men’s Central Jail are by appointment only, Thursday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register and book up to seven days ahead at visit.lasd.org; kiosks to create an account are at MCJ, Twin Towers and Century Regional. The lobby starts closing at 2:45 p.m.

  • Book online at visit.lasd.org, up to 7 days ahead — every visitor must register
  • Arrive one hour before your appointment to check in; late arrivals are cancelled
  • Two 30-minute visits per person each week, up to three visitors per visit
  • Valid photo ID: driver’s license, DMV ID, passport, military ID or consular ID
  • No phones, bags, food, sunglasses or hats; gang-related clothing is refused
  • Minors must be with a parent or legal guardian

Before you go: Thursday and Friday visiting can close when budgets require it. Cancel at least 12 hours ahead; park near Vignes and Bauchet Streets.

Booking & release

  1. Intake at the IRC People entering Sheriff’s custody are received, classified and processed at the Inmate Reception Center.
  2. Housing assignment After classification a man may stay downtown at Men’s Central Jail or move to another county jail.
  3. Court movement The IRC moves thousands of people to court every day and handles transfers to state and federal custody.
  4. Release & deposits Releases are processed at the IRC, which also has the cashier for account deposits — MCJ does not take money.

Mail & phone calls

Sending mail

[Inmate name], [Booking number]Men’s Central JailP.O. Box 86164, Terminal AnnexLos Angeles, CA 90086-0164

All incoming mail for the county jails is processed by the IRC mailroom, and the booking number routes it to the right housing unit. Confirm the current mailing address with the Inmate Information Center at (213) 473-6100 before you send anything.

Phone calls

People held at Men’s Central Jail cannot take incoming calls; they call out. Release of property or account money can be requested during a visit, using the jail’s property release form or a money draw slip.

Need to reach someone fast? Call us at 909-310-3372 — we’ll confirm where they are.

Inmate search

How to find someone at Los Angeles County Jail

Choose Los Angeles as the county of arrest and send the person’s full name and, if you know it, a date of birth. Records for a booking made in the last couple of hours may not show yet, so we check again before we call you back.

Start an inmate search or call 909-310-3372

Los Angeles County Jail questions

What is the difference between Men’s Central Jail and the IRC?

The Inmate Reception Center at 450 Bauchet St books, classifies and releases people. Men’s Central Jail at 441 Bauchet St is where many men are housed while their case goes on.

Is Men’s Central Jail the Los Angeles County Jail?

It is the best-known part of it. The county runs several jails; the downtown complex of Men’s Central Jail, the IRC and Twin Towers is what most people mean by the LA County Jail.

How do I book a visit at Men’s Central Jail?

Register at visit.lasd.org and book up to seven days ahead. Visits run Thursday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Arrive one hour early with valid photo ID.

Where do I put money on someone’s account at the LA County Jail?

At the cashier in the Inmate Reception Center, 450 Bauchet St. Men’s Central Jail does not accept money. Bring valid government-issued photo ID.

Is Inmate Search Central part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department?

No. We are independent and not affiliated with the Sheriff’s Department or any jail. Call 909-310-3372 for help looking someone up.