Resources
- Locate an inmate within the LA County jails
- Read the state’s incarceration code of standards – Title 15
- Download an LA County damage claim form
- Download a list of groups that track police abuse
- Visit the public defender’s office
- Get probation info from LA County
- Get parole info from the state
- Give the Sheriff’s Department important medical information about an inmate
Organizations
- Death Penalty Focus advocates for the end of the death penalty.
- The Innocence Project helps the wrongly convicted with death row cases.
- Truth in Justice educates about the flaws in the US justice system.
- ACLU National Prison Project seeks improvement through education and legislative action.
- County of Los Angeles Office of Independent Review is a civilian board that investigates allegations of misconduct within the LA Sheriff�s Office.
- Legal Services for Prisoners with Children provides specialized assistance for this unique population.
- Correct Help offers education and support for HIV+ inmates.
- Justice Now advocates for female prisoners.
- Prison Law Office focuses on the constitutional rights of the incarcerated.
- Stop Prisoner Rape works to put an end to sexual violence against men, women, and youth in all forms of detention. To achieve this goal, SPR seeks to: engender policies that ensure government accountability for prisoner rape; change ill-informed and flippant public attitudes toward sexual assault behind bars; and promote access to resources for survivors of this type of violence. Contact Melissa Rothstein, Esq.
- Address:
Stop Prisoner Rape
3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 340
Los Angeles, CA 90010
- Friends Outside provides a range of services for families of the incarcerated.
- Address:
Friends Outside
464 E. Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91101.
Tel: (626) 795-7607 - Public Defender’s Office represents LA County inmates
- LA County Department of Ombudsman is an independent Los Angeles County department created by the Board of Supervisors to provide assistance to the residents of Los Angeles County.
- Patients’ Rights. For assistance with mental health questions or complaints in the jails, please contact:
- Address:
Patients’ Rights Office/Department of Mental Health
550 S. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Tel: (800) 700-9996
Jail Lingo
Understanding the Sheriff’s Department
Common Terms
- Abel, Baker, Charlie, and Denver
- Wayside / Saugus / Castaic / SuperMax / The Ranch
- The Hole
- Jute ball/Mono diet
- Sergeant’s Court
- Program
- Freeway
- Fish Kits
- Books
- Canteen/Store
Common Terms
Abel, Baker, Charlie, and Denver
Inmates and staff refer to areas within the Men’s Central Jail with these names. Example: module 2100, row A, is referred to as 2100-Abel.
Wayside/Saugus/Castaic/SuperMax/The Ranch
All these names refer to Pitchess facilities, usually specifically to the North County Correctional Facility, or NCCF. Wayside is the former name of the area, referring to the name Wayside Honor Rancho. Most inmates will refer to Wayside, although it is not the official name. Saugus and Castaic are the municipalities where the facilities are located. SuperMax refers to NCCF, because it’s a maximum-security facility.
The Hole
‘The hole’ refers to disciplinary housing. The cell is similar to those provided for single cell housing, but an inmate in ‘the hole’ is kept in isolation and has restricted privileges. ‘The hole’ is not an actual hole in the ground.
Jute ball/Mono diet
This is a punishment diet allowed and described in Title 15 that is served to difficult disciplinary cases. It’s basically a loaf or ball containing basic nutrients. It’s neither pretty nor flavorful. Typically, this food replaces standard food after an inmate has ignored multiple disciplinary attempts. It is another tool officials use to attempt to get inmates to comply with the rules.
Sergeant’s Court
Refers to a Disciplinary Review Board or DRB hearing, where an inmate is given disciplinary penalties after being charged with breaking rules.
Program
When inmates complain about lack of ‘program,’ they are referring to any time they get to spend outside of their cells, including (but not limited to) recreation time, classes and religious services.
Freeway
The ‘freeway’ is the walkway in front of a row of cells.
Fish Kits
This refers to a small kit of hygiene items handed to inmates when they first go to the jail. It is also used to describe any inmate without money to purchase his or her own supplies.
Books
Often, this is the term used to describe an inmate’s financial account where family or friends can deposit funds for the inmate�s use.
Canteen/Store
Inmate may purchase food and supplies from a special order list from the canteen using money drawn from their account. The items are delivered to the inmate weekly. When there is a delay or non-delivery, inmates often describe this as not having received their ‘store.’
Pruno
This is an alcoholic drink that inmates will secretly make from fermented fruit and/or food in their cells. Because it is contraband, making and possessing this drink is a rules violation and results in disciplinary action.
