The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in downtown Los Angeles is the federal jail for the U.S. District Court.

It is located at:

535 N. Alameda St.,
Los Angeles, CA
90012

The MDC is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and holds both male and female inmates. It is an administrative-security facility that houses persons of all security levels. MDC inmates are generally federal detainees awaiting trial or sentencing; the center also briefly houses inmates serving short federal sentences.

When a person is arrested on federal charges in Los Angeles, they may be taken to MDC while awaiting arraignment or trial in federal court. Unlike local jails, MDC detainees are held until federal court orders their release on bond or on their own recognizance.

In practice, inmates remain at MDC until one of the following occurs:

A federal judge orders their release under pretrial conditions (personal recognizance, supervised release, etc.); or
Bail is posted in the federal court system (see below); or
They appear in court for arraignment, trial, or sentencing.

MDC inmates are not released directly by the jail – all release decisions and bail arrangements are handled by the U.S. District Court. The MDC functions as a temporary holding facility in the heart of downtown L.A., close to the federal courthouse.

How do I post bail for someone at the Metropolitan Detention Center?

Federal bail is arranged through the U.S. District Court, not at the jail. At the initial court hearing (usually a federal magistrate appearance), a judge may set bail or other conditions of release.

If bail is set, the full bail amount must be paid to the court’s clerk at the courthouse. You cannot pay bail directly at MDC.

In the Central District of California, bond payments are submitted in person at the Criminal Intake window during business hours (typically 9:00 AM–4:00 PM). Only cashier’s checks or money orders are accepted for bail; the court will not accept large cash payments (over $5,000) or personal checks.

Bail hearing – A federal judge sets the bail amount and conditions during the initial appearance.
Posting bail – To pay the bail, go to the U.S. District Court’s Criminal Intake office and provide a cashier’s check or money order payable to the “Clerk, U.S. District Court.” Make sure the defendant’s name and case number are included on the payment. The court’s bond receipt will then be processed by the U.S. Marshal.
Cash bonds only – Federal courts generally require the full bail amount in cash or its equivalent. Private bail bonds (through a bondsman) are rarely used in federal cases. Federal law does allow a corporate surety bond, but most districts discourage it. If you do use a bondsman, you will pay their fee (typically ~10% of the bail) and they post the full bond for you.

After bail is posted, MDC will be notified by the court, and the inmate will generally be released within about 30 minutes once processing is complete. Any unused bail money (minus court fees) is returned after the case concludes.

How do I look up an inmate’s information?

To find information about someone at MDC Los Angeles, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

The BOP website has a “Find an Inmate” tool where you can search by the inmate’s full name or register number.

This will show the inmate’s current location and basic status. Note that the locator only covers inmates from 1982 to the present. If the inmate is no longer at MDC, the tool may list them as “Released” or “Not in BOP Custody.” In that case, the person has left federal prison.

You can also call MDC Los Angeles directly at (213) 485-0439 and provide the inmate’s full name and register number. The administrative staff can confirm whether the person is currently at MDC. However, detailed case information (charges, bail amount, next court date) will come from the federal court or the U.S. Marshals, not from the jail itself.

How do I contact someone who is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center?

Inmates at MDC have limited means of communication. They cannot receive incoming personal calls.

Instead, they may make outgoing calls through a monitored system, either collect or using prepaid phone accounts. To help the inmate stay in touch, family or friends can deposit funds into the inmate’s commissary account, which the inmate can use to make phone calls, buy items, or send mail.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons supports the following methods to send funds to a federal inmate: MoneyGram ExpressPayment and Western Union Quick Collect (both electronic), or U.S. mail (cashier’s check or money order).

Sending money (for calls/commissary) – Use MoneyGram or Western Union’s offender payment service. You will need the inmate’s BOP register number and committed name. Funds are generally available to the inmate within a few hours. For details on account setup, see the BOP’s Sending Money instructions.
Mail – You can correspond by traditional mail. All letters and approved publications (books/magazines) must be sent through the U.S. Postal Service. Address all correspondence to:

“Inmate Name & Register Number”
Metropolitan Detention Center – Los Angeles
P.O. Box 1500
Los Angeles, CA 90053

Include the inmate’s register number on the envelope. Do not send contraband (see BOP mail policies).
Email – Inmates can also use the BOP’s TRULINCS electronic mail system to send and receive messages. Friends or family must first fill out a registration form, obtained from the inmate or the facility, and then use an approved vendor site. Ask the inmate or MDC staff for details on the email program.
Visiting – MDC Los Angeles schedules inmate visits on certain days, typically weekends. Visiting hours and eligibility depend on the housing unit. Generally, each inmate may have one social visit per scheduled visiting day by family or friends. Attorneys, legal agents, clergy, and approved service providers may visit inmates at any time. Because federal visitation policies vary, you should call MDC (213-485-0439) before a visit to confirm the current visiting days and hours.

Getting help for a federal detainee

The federal criminal justice system is complex. If someone you know is being held at MDC Los Angeles on federal charges, a skilled federal criminal defense attorney can explain the process and protect your loved one’s their rights throughout the court proceedings.

Practicing since 1984, federal defense attorney Robert M. Helfend of the Helfend Law Group has extensive experience helping federal defendants fight their charges. Call today for help – 800-834-6434.

Published September 26, 2025.