When someone is arrested in Los Angeles County, they are usually first taken to the Inmate Reception Center (IRC) in downtown Los Angeles.

The IRC is the main intake and processing facility for all Los Angeles County jails.

Every person booked into the county system is processed here before being released, sent to another jail such as Men’s Central or Century Regional, or transferred to a state or federal facility.

The address for the IRC is:

Inmate Reception Center
450 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 893-5875

Driving directions: Google Maps

The IRC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It handles initial booking, medical screening, classification, and determines where inmates will be housed. Because it is primarily a processing center, people often spend only a short time here — from several hours to a few days — before being released or moved.

How do I post bail for someone at the Inmate Reception Center?

Bail for county cases can be posted at the IRC at any time. You can pay in cash, with a California bank-issued cashier’s check, a money order, or by using a licensed bail bondsman.

Posting bail at the IRC is often the fastest way to secure someone’s release since all new arrestees in Los Angeles County are processed here.

How to post cash bail

You must pay the full bail amount exactly. After the case concludes, the cash will be returned minus a small administrative fee.

If the defendant misses any required court appearances, the bail money is forfeited.

How to post bail with a cashier’s check or money order

Checks and money orders must be drawn on a California bank and made payable to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Include the inmate’s full name and booking number on the payment.

Release will not occur until the funds clear, which may take longer outside of normal business hours or on weekends.

How to pay bail with a bail bond

A bail bond is the most common way to post bail. You pay a licensed bail bondsman a non-refundable fee — usually up to 10% of the bail amount.

If the defendant appears for all court dates, you will not owe anything more. If they fail to appear, you may be responsible for the full bail amount.

Once bail is accepted, processing usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour before the inmate is released.

How do I look up an inmate’s information

You can call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Inmate Information Center at (213) 473-6100 any time, day or night.
You will need to provide at least one of the following:

The inmate’s full name
Date of birth
Booking number

You will receive information including:

The inmate’s current location
Bail amount
Housing assignment (if already transferred)
Next scheduled court date

How do I contact someone who is being held at the Inmate Reception Center

Because IRC is mainly a short-term holding facility, communication is limited.
Inmates cannot receive incoming calls.

They are allowed one free phone call after booking, and any additional outgoing calls must be made using a prepaid calling card.

If you would like to provide funds for calls or commissary, you can:

Send a prepaid calling card in a commissary care package, or
Send money so the inmate can purchase a calling card by mailing a California bank-issued cashier’s check or money order to:

[Inmate’s full name and booking number]
P.O. Box 86164
Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164

Because detainees are often moved out of the IRC quickly, in-person visits are limited and usually not available unless the inmate is held there longer than a day or two.

For longer-term detainees still at the IRC, visiting hours are typically limited to set days and times — check the Sheriff’s Department’s current visiting schedule before going.

How to get help for someone who has been arrested

The early hours after an arrest are critical. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can advise you about bail, protect the detainee’s rights, and begin building a defense right away.

Robert M. Helfend is a SuperLawyers and National Trial Lawyers Top 100 rated trial attorney who has practiced in the Los Angeles area for more than 40 years.

Have an expert by your side to help you every step of the way. Call today – 800-834-6434.

Published September 26, 2025.