Los Angeles Inmate Locator Help: How to Find Someone in LA County Jail and What to Do Next

If someone you care about was just arrested in Los Angeles, the fastest way to find them is through the
LASD Inmate Information Center at app5.lasd.org/iic,
which is available 24 hours a day. You can search by full name and date of birth — no booking number required.
New arrests typically appear in the system within 2 to 4 hours of booking.
Once you locate the person and know the bail amount, call 818-244-3389
and Big Boy Bail Bonds can begin the release process immediately, any time of day or night.

Using the Official LASD Inmate Locator

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) maintains an online inmate search tool called the
Inmate Information Center. It is the most comprehensive and current resource for locating someone held
in any LASD-operated facility in LA County — including Men’s Central Jail, Twin Towers Correctional Facility,
Pitchess Detention Center, and all other Sheriff’s facilities.

The official locator is available at app5.lasd.org/iic.
There is no cost to search. The system displays the inmate’s current location, booking date, charges,
bail amount, and projected release date if applicable.

You can also call the LASD Inmate Information Line at 213-473-6100, available 24 hours a day, to get
information by phone if you prefer to speak with someone directly. Most people searching for
Los Angeles inmate locator help find the online system fast enough, but the phone line is a solid backup —
especially at 2AM when stress is running high and you need a real answer. Nobody plans to be doing this.
That’s why both options stay open around the clock.

LAPD Jail Facilities vs. LA County Sheriff Jails

One of the most common sources of confusion when doing an LA County inmate search is that Los Angeles
has two separate jail systems: facilities run by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and
facilities run by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

If the arrest was made by an LAPD officer in the city of Los Angeles, the person may initially be held at
an LAPD station jail (such as Hollywood Area Jail, Van Nuys Station, or Metropolitan Detention Center)
before transfer to an LASD facility. LAPD’s jail and custody information is available through the
LAPD online custody page.
For either system, calling 213-473-6100 is the fastest way to confirm current location.

Once transferred to LA County Sheriff custody — which usually happens within 24–48 hours — the person will
appear in the LASD Inmate Information Center. At that point, the LASD locator at app5.lasd.org/iic becomes
your most accurate source. Most people doing a Los Angeles jail lookup who cannot find someone early on
are simply searching before the transfer has been completed.

What Information You Need to Search the LA Inmate Locator

To get the best results from the LASD Inmate Information Center or the LAPD jail inquiry system, have
the following ready:

• Full legal name — use the person’s legal name exactly as it appears on ID, not a nickname
• Date of birth — significantly narrows the results when names are common
• Booking number — if you have it, this is the fastest search method; if not, name and DOB work fine
• Approximate arrest date — helpful if the name search returns multiple results

The LASD system is name-sensitive, so minor spelling variations can affect results. If the first search
comes up empty, try alternate spellings or the middle name. Most people searching for LA County inmate search
help hit a dead end simply because the system was searched before the booking was complete.

Once you confirm the inmate is in the system, note the facility name, booking number,
and bail amount. That information is exactly what a bail bond agent will need.
Call 818-244-3389 with those three items and we can take it from there.

What to Do If the Person Isn’t Showing Up Yet

Do not panic if your search returns no results right after an arrest. New bookings typically appear in the
LASD Inmate Information Center within 2 to 4 hours of the arrest being processed. During active booking,
fingerprints, photographs, and paperwork all need to be completed before the record goes live in the system.

If more than 4 to 6 hours have passed and the person still does not appear, call the LASD Information Line
at 213-473-6100. They can check for recent bookings that may not yet be reflected online.
You can also call a bail bond agent — at 818-244-3389 — who is experienced at tracking people
through the booking system and can help you understand what stage the process is in.
Most bail bonds emergencies happen late at night when people are stressed and exhausted. A good bail bond
company should make the process feel less overwhelming, not add to the chaos.

Big Boy Bail Bonds has been helping families navigate the LA County jail system since 2007. We know the
system, the facilities, and how to get answers quickly. Jail processing moves slowly. We try not to.

What to Do After You Find Them: Bail Bonds

Locating an inmate in the LASD system is the first step. The second step — getting them out — is where
a licensed California bail bond agency comes in. Once you have the booking number and bail amount, the
bail bond process can begin immediately, even at 3AM on a Sunday.

People searching for bail bonds Los Angeles are usually making that decision within minutes of finding
their loved one in the system. Most people who call a bail bonds company are going through one of the
worst nights of their lives. They are not looking for a sales presentation. They are looking for someone
calm enough to explain what happens next.

Here is what you will need to start the bail bond process:

• Full name and booking number of the person in custody
• The facility where they are being held
• The bail amount set by the court or listed in the system
• Your contact information as a co-signer or responsible party

You can learn more about how bail works in California
on our detailed guide, or call us directly at 818-244-3389
for a no-judgment, plain-English explanation of the process.

How Bail Bonds Work After a Los Angeles Arrest

A bail bond is a financial guarantee to the court that the defendant will appear at all future hearings.
The bail bond company posts the full bail amount on behalf of the defendant, and the family pays a
percentage of that total — typically 10% in California — as the bail bond premium.

After the bond is posted, the jail begins the release process. Depending on the facility and current
staffing levels, this can take anywhere from a few hours to the better part of a day at larger facilities
like Men’s Central Jail. Understanding bail costs
in Los Angeles County helps families plan ahead and avoid surprise fees.

Many families have never dealt with a bail bonds process before. Most people contacting a bail bond company
have no prior experience with the jail system and have a dozen unanswered questions at once.
That is completely normal. A professional bail bond company should explain everything clearly,
answer every question without making the family feel rushed, and have the paperwork ready fast.

Once someone is released, they must appear at every court date. Missing a hearing can result in a bench
warrant, additional charges, and possible bail forfeiture. Read our guide on
5 things to do after an arrest
to make sure the next steps go as smoothly as possible.

Major LA County Jail Facilities

Los Angeles County operates one of the largest jail systems in the United States. When you find someone
in the LASD inmate locator, here are the major facilities they may be held at:

• Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) — 441 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. One of the largest single jail facilities in the country. See our Los Angeles County bail bonds page for more facility information.
• Twin Towers Correctional Facility — 450 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Adjacent to MCJ, handles many newly booked inmates.
• Inmate Reception Center (IRC) — 450 Bauchet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This is typically where newly arrested individuals are initially processed before being assigned to a housing facility.
• Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center — Located in Castaic. One of the county’s larger facilities, used for lower-security classifications.
• Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) — Located in Lynwood. The primary facility for female inmates in LA County.

Each facility has its own processing rhythms. Some release inmates faster than others based on staffing
and population levels. Knowing which facility your loved one is at helps us give you a more accurate
estimate of the release timeline when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions: Los Angeles Inmate Locator Help