MDC Los Angeles Federal Detention Center Guide
MDC Los Angeles Federal Inmate Search, Visiting, Court & Family Guide
Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles is a federal facility in downtown Los Angeles, not a Los Angeles County jail. Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator first, then use the inmate’s register number for mail, money, communication and court-related tasks.
MDC Los Angeles Quick Information
MDC Los Angeles is an administrative Federal Bureau of Prisons detention center in downtown Los Angeles. The BOP handbook says it houses people in pretrial, holdover and designated status.
Federal Bureau of Prisons facility code LOS.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
BOP directory fax number.
How to Search for an Inmate at MDC Los Angeles
The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator covers federal inmates incarcerated from 1982 to the present. You can search by BOP register number or by name.
Open the BOP Inmate Locator
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator rather than a county inmate-search website.
Search by register number when possible
The BOP register-number format is five digits, a hyphen and three digits: 12345-678.
Otherwise search by name
Enter first and last name. Age, race and sex can help narrow common names.
Check the Location field
Confirm that the BOP result currently shows MDC Los Angeles before sending mail or money.
Save the register number
The eight-digit register number is essential for federal inmate mail and money transactions.
How to Read a BOP Inmate Search Result
The BOP locator is primarily a whereabouts tool. It does not replace the federal criminal docket, and its projected release information can change when sentence calculations are updated.
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Register # | The inmate’s federal identifier; keep it for mail, funds and many BOP transactions. |
| Location | Shows the BOP facility currently associated with the inmate. |
| Release date | A projected or recorded date; BOP warns some dates may change after sentence recalculation. |
| Released | Indicates the person is no longer in BOP custody, but they may still be under another justice system or supervised release. |
| Not in BOP Custody | Do not assume the person is completely free; another agency may have custody. |
Can’t Find the Person in the BOP Locator?
A missing result can occur because the person has not yet entered BOP custody, is being held temporarily by the U.S. Marshals Service at another jail, or is in a state/local facility.
Recent federal arrest
The person may not yet appear at MDC Los Angeles. Check the federal case and ask the attorney or appropriate custody agency where the defendant is being held.
Previously listed at MDC Los Angeles
Search the BOP locator again. A change in facility can mean transfer, designation to another prison or release from BOP custody.
You Found the Federal Inmate. What Should You Do Next?
Save the register number first. Then decide whether your priority is the criminal case, visiting, communication, money, mail or determining a transfer or release.
Federal mail and money services depend on the correct number.
Use PACER or Central District of California court resources.
MDC Los Angeles visiting days depend on housing assignment.
Telephone and electronic contacts are managed through BOP systems.
Never send inmate funds to 535 N. Alameda Street.
Use the inmate’s full committed name and register number.
How to Find the Federal Criminal Case
MDC Los Angeles sits next to the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Many people detained at MDC LA have proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Federal criminal and civil cases within the district.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Use PACER for the docket
Open PACER
PACER provides electronic access to federal criminal and civil case information.
Search the defendant’s legal name
If you already know the federal case number, use it for a more precise search.
Look for a CR or MJ case
Central District case types include CR for criminal cases and MJ for magistrate matters.
Review docket entries
Look for detention, arraignment, bond, plea, sentencing and future hearing entries.
Federal Bail and Detention: MDC Los Angeles Is Not the Payment Office
Federal release decisions are made by the court, usually under the Bail Reform Act. A detainee may be released on conditions, temporarily detained or ordered detained pending trial.
A judge may impose financial or nonfinancial conditions designed to assure appearance and community safety.
A defendant can remain detained when the federal court enters a detention order.
The docket and defense counsel are more useful than asking the BOP to explain the judge’s legal reasoning.
MDC Los Angeles Visiting Rules & Schedule
Social visiting must be initiated by the inmate. The MDC handbook says proposed visitors submit a BOP Visitor Information Form and staff complete a background review before adding visitors to the approved list.
| Day | Housing floor | Social visiting |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 5 North | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM |
| Monday | 6 North / 6 South | 2:30 PM–8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 South | 2:30 PM–8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 South / 5 South / inter-floor | 2:30 PM–8:00 PM; inter-floor 5:00 PM–8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7 North / SHU | 2:30 PM–8:00 PM |
| Friday | 8 South Annex / 9 North | 2:30 PM–8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 5 North | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Visitor identification and screening
- Visitors age 16+ need valid photo identification
- Driver’s license is accepted
- State ID is accepted
- Passport may be accepted
- Military ID may be accepted
- Visitors pass through security screening
- Ion screening may be used
- Children must remain supervised
Visitor limits
The handbook limits regular visits to a maximum of three adults at one time. Cadre inmates can have up to ten approved people on their visiting list.
Tele-visiting
Social visits for inmates in the Special Housing Unit are conducted by tele-visiting. Some general-population inmates can also be restricted to non-contact video visits for security reasons.
Official MDC Visiting PageWhat Not to Wear to MDC Los Angeles
The facility-specific visiting rules contain a detailed dress code. Staff can also reject clothing not specifically listed when they consider it inappropriate or a security concern.
Low-cut, see-through, backless, crop-top and similarly revealing clothing can result in denial of entry.
The published policy restricts stretch pants and other form-fitted garments.
The visiting rules prohibit tan or khaki clothing and several other items that can resemble institution clothing.
Phone Calls From MDC Los Angeles
Inmates receive a personal Phone Access Code and register approved phone contacts through the BOP communication system. Family members cannot call the facility and ask staff to transfer an ordinary call to an inmate.
The MDC handbook authorizes a total of 300 inmate telephone minutes per month.
Each routine inmate call is limited to 15 minutes.
General housing-unit access, subject to counts, meals, security and facility operations.
After completing a 15-minute call, the handbook says an inmate normally waits one hour before another routine call can be made.
Pretrial housing units have an unmonitored telephone connection to the Public Defender’s Office. Other unmonitored attorney calls require an inmate request and staff approval.
Electronic Messages Through TRULINCS
MDC Los Angeles uses BOP’s TRULINCS system for approved electronic communication. The inmate adds the contact, and the outside person must be an approved electronic-message contact.
The handbook limits the active electronic contact list.
Messages cannot exceed the facility’s published character limit.
The handbook states electronic messages cannot contain attachments.
TRULINCS is available to approved inmates during authorized hours and does not provide unrestricted internet access.
How to Send Money to an MDC Los Angeles Inmate
Federal inmate money is handled through the Bureau of Prisons’ centralized system. Do not mail money to MDC Los Angeles at 535 N. Alameda Street.
Use an approved negotiable instrument and the inmate’s full committed name plus register number.
BOP currently supports MoneyGram ExpressPayment for federal inmate deposits.
BOP tells senders to wait until the inmate has actually arrived at a BOP-managed facility.
BOP mail deposit address
Inmate’s Full Committed Name
Inmate’s Eight-Digit Register Number
P.O. Box 474701
Des Moines, IA 50947-0001
What BOP accepts by mail
- Money orders
- U.S. government checks
- Certified checks
- Cashier’s checks
- Bank drafts
- Correct inmate register number
- Full committed name
- Sender return address
Commissary at MDC Los Angeles
MDC Los Angeles operates an inmate commissary. The facility handbook says inmates with funds can submit commissary requests on their assigned schedule.
Money deposited by approved sources becomes available in the inmate’s institutional account.
Inmates submit a commissary sheet and receive purchases according to facility scheduling.
The handbook directs inmates to staff for the current spending limit because limits can change.
How to Send Mail to an Inmate at MDC Los Angeles
Federal inmate correspondence must include the inmate’s full committed name and register number. Because BOP facility mail addresses can change, confirm the exact current mailing address on the MDC Los Angeles page before sending.
MDC Los Angeles
Metropolitan Detention Center
BOP-published inmate mailing address
Los Angeles, CA 90053
Use the current BOP facility page to confirm the active P.O. Box immediately before mailing.
Before mailing
- Use the committed BOP name
- Add the eight-digit register number
- Include your return address
- Check current correspondence rules
- Do not include inmate funds
- Review publication rules separately
- Use Special Mail rules for privileged legal correspondence
- Confirm package authorization before shipping parcels
Attorney Visits & Legal Access
Because MDC Los Angeles houses many pretrial defendants, legal access is especially important. The facility provides attorney visits, legal mail procedures and electronic law-library resources.
Published attorney visiting period.
Published regular attorney visiting period.
The facility handbook states legal visits do not have a time limit.
Attorney visits after 3:00 PM on weekends require an appointment and advance notice under the facility’s published procedure.
Medical Care & Family Concerns
MDC Los Angeles provides institutional health services, including medical and dental treatment. Families should not assume the general front desk can freely discuss an inmate’s private health information.
Urgent family concern
Call the facility at 213-485-0439 and explain that you need to communicate an urgent health or safety concern regarding a specific inmate.
Information may be limited
Federal privacy and medical-confidentiality rules can restrict what staff disclose to relatives.
The Central District’s CJA detention guide also provides procedures attorneys can use when raising concerns about medical treatment for federal detainees.
How to Check Release or Transfer From MDC Los Angeles
MDC Los Angeles is frequently used for pretrial detention and holdovers, so a person may leave the facility because of release, sentencing, designation to another BOP institution or transfer.
Check BOP Inmate Locator
Look at the current Location field. A new prison name generally indicates transfer within BOP custody.
Review the federal docket
Court entries may explain detention orders, sentencing, release conditions or other custody changes.
If BOP says “Released”
The person is no longer in BOP custody, but may still be on federal supervised release or in another system.
If BOP says “Not in BOP Custody”
Do not assume complete release. Another federal, state or local agency may currently hold the person.
Programs & Services Inside MDC Los Angeles
The BOP Admission & Orientation Handbook describes educational, religious, recreation, legal and reentry resources. Availability differs between pretrial, holdover and designated inmates.
Designated inmates can be assessed for literacy programming and GED-related education.
ESL opportunities are available within institutional resources.
Legal-reference resources are available in housing units and education areas.
Chaplains provide religious, spiritual and pastoral support.
Recreation depends on housing, security and facility operations.
The handbook says reentry preparation begins from the start of incarceration.
PREA & Safety Reporting
The Federal Bureau of Prisons publishes PREA information for MDC Los Angeles. A current independent PREA audit report is linked from the facility’s official BOP page.
Immediate concern
Contact MDC Los Angeles at 213-485-0439 when you need to report an urgent facility safety concern involving a detainee.
Audit information
The BOP facility page links the current MDC Los Angeles PREA audit and related institutional resources.
MDC Los Angeles Location, Transit & Courthouse Access
MDC Los Angeles is in downtown Los Angeles across from Union Station and next to the Roybal federal courthouse. The BOP handbook identifies rail, bus and paid-parking options nearby.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Edward R. Roybal Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse.
Nearby Amtrak, Metrolink, Metro and bus connections.
Official MDC Los Angeles & Federal Court Resources
Use these links for live federal inmate information, visiting, transactions and court records. The article above explains what each service is for before you leave the page.
Search current federal inmate whereabouts by name or register number.
Visiting, inmate mail, money, legal resources, handbook and PREA information.
Facility procedures for calls, TRULINCS, visiting, commissary, programs, legal access and daily operations.
Facility-specific visitor processing, tele-visiting, social visits and legal visits.
Official instructions for federal inmate money, mail and communication.
Federal courthouse, records and case-related information.
PACER information, public terminal access and federal case-record guidance.
Useful primarily for defense attorneys, investigators and legal teams working with detained federal defendants.
MDC Los Angeles FAQs
What is MDC Los Angeles?
MDC Los Angeles is the Federal Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles. It houses federal detainees and inmates, including many people awaiting trial, sentencing or transfer.
Is MDC Los Angeles a county jail?
No. MDC Los Angeles is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is separate from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department jails.
How do I find an inmate at MDC Los Angeles?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Search by BOP register number or by first and last name, then confirm that the Location field shows MDC Los Angeles.
What is the BOP register number format?
A standard BOP register number uses five digits, a hyphen and three digits, such as 12345-678.
What is the MDC Los Angeles phone number?
The Federal Bureau of Prisons directory lists 213-485-0439.
Where is MDC Los Angeles located?
MDC Los Angeles is at 535 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, near Union Station and the Roybal federal courthouse.
What does “Released” in the BOP locator mean?
It means the person is no longer in BOP custody. They may still be on supervised release or involved with another correctional or law-enforcement system.
What does “Not in BOP Custody” mean?
It means the person is not currently in Federal Bureau of Prisons custody. Another federal, state or local agency may still have custody.
How do I find an MDC Los Angeles detainee’s federal court case?
Search PACER and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Many MDC Los Angeles detainees have cases in that federal district.
Where is the federal courthouse next to MDC Los Angeles?
The Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is at 255 E. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
How do I visit an inmate at MDC Los Angeles?
The inmate initiates the visitor-approval process. Proposed visitors complete the BOP visitor form, undergo review and must be added to the inmate’s approved visiting list.
How long does MDC Los Angeles visitor approval take?
The facility handbook says the visiting approval process typically takes about two weeks.
Do all MDC Los Angeles inmates visit on the same day?
No. Social visiting days are assigned according to housing floor. Confirm the inmate’s housing and current schedule before traveling.
Can SHU inmates receive social visits?
The facility’s visiting policy says social visits for Special Housing Unit inmates are handled through non-contact tele-visiting.
How many adults can visit an inmate at once?
The MDC Los Angeles handbook states that regular visits are limited to a maximum of three adults at one time because of visiting-room space.
What ID do I need to visit?
Visitors age 16 and older need acceptable photo identification. The facility lists documents such as a driver’s license, state ID, military ID, passport or qualifying U.S. immigration identification.
Can I call an inmate directly?
No. Family members cannot call the facility and have an ordinary call transferred to an inmate. Inmates place outgoing calls through the BOP telephone system.
How many telephone minutes do MDC Los Angeles inmates get?
The MDC Los Angeles handbook currently states that inmates are authorized 300 telephone minutes per month.
How long can an inmate phone call last?
The handbook limits routine calls to 15 minutes, followed by a one-hour wait before another routine call can normally be made.
Are MDC Los Angeles inmate phone calls recorded?
Yes. The facility handbook states that routine inmate calls are monitored and recorded.
Can inmates send electronic messages?
Approved inmates can use BOP’s TRULINCS system to exchange electronic messages with approved contacts.
Are TRULINCS messages private?
No. MDC Los Angeles states that incoming and outgoing electronic messages can be monitored, read and retained by BOP staff.
Can inmates attach files to TRULINCS messages?
No. The MDC Los Angeles handbook says electronic messages may not contain attachments.
How do I send money to an MDC Los Angeles inmate?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ centralized inmate-funds system. BOP supports approved mailed negotiable instruments through its Des Moines lockbox and electronic options such as MoneyGram.
Can I send inmate money to 535 N. Alameda Street?
No. BOP explicitly says inmate funds should not be mailed to the facility. Mailed funds go to the centralized BOP processing center in Des Moines, Iowa.
What is the BOP inmate-funds mailing address?
Address mailed funds to Federal Bureau of Prisons, the inmate’s full committed name, eight-digit register number, P.O. Box 474701, Des Moines, IA 50947-0001.
Can I send cash or a personal check to a federal inmate?
No. BOP says cash and personal checks are not accepted through the centralized mailed-deposit process.
Does MDC Los Angeles have commissary?
Yes. The facility operates a commissary where inmates with available funds can purchase authorized items according to institutional schedules and spending limits.
How do I send regular mail to MDC Los Angeles?
Use the inmate’s full committed name and eight-digit register number and verify the current inmate mailing address on the BOP MDC Los Angeles facility page before mailing.
What happens if an inmate is transferred from MDC Los Angeles?
Recheck the BOP Inmate Locator. The Location field should identify the new BOP institution once the transfer is reflected in the federal system.
How do attorneys visit MDC Los Angeles clients?
The facility publishes separate legal-visit procedures. Regular attorney visiting is listed as 8:00 AM–8:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM–3:00 PM weekends, subject to institutional procedures.
Are attorney visits time-limited?
The MDC Los Angeles handbook states that legal visits do not have the normal social-visit time limit.
Does MDC Los Angeles provide legal research access?
Yes. The handbook describes an electronic law library and other legal-access resources for inmates.
What programs are available at MDC Los Angeles?
Depending on custody status and availability, resources can include GED/literacy, ESL, religious services, recreation, legal research and release-preparation programming.
Does MDC Los Angeles have PREA reporting information?
Yes. The official BOP facility page provides PREA information and links to the current MDC Los Angeles PREA audit report.
Facility contact details, inmate-search procedures, visiting, telephone, TRULINCS, commissary, legal access and institutional programs were checked against Federal Bureau of Prisons resources and the MDC Los Angeles Admission & Orientation Handbook.
Federal court information was checked against the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Visiting schedules, housing assignments, custody locations and release dates can change and should be rechecked when time-sensitive.
BOP + federal court verifiedCountyDetentionCenter.org is an independent informational resource. It is not operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, MDC Los Angeles, U.S. Marshals Service or U.S. District Court.
Detention does not establish guilt. Many people held at MDC Los Angeles are awaiting federal court proceedings, sentencing or transfer.