The Valley LA Jail is a 25 bed jail in the city of Van Nuys, Los Angeles County, California. You can call them 24 hours a day for inmate information at 818-374-9645.
Offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in this county are brought here for booking and processing, and if their crime requires it, are incarcerated until they are either bonded out, are released from custody on their own recognizance, or are ordered to remain in custody until the disposition of their trial.
You can also use the inmate search tool to see this facility's roster of those who have been arrested and are still in custody.
Those who are found guilty and sentenced to a term of less than one year, will do their time in this county. Those sentenced to longer terms will be sent to either the California State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 818-374-9645, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
It's always a good idea to find out and save the inmate's jail ID number or booking number as you may need this for sending mail or other communication needs. If you can't locate it online, you can call the Valley LA Jail at 818-374-9645 to get it.
Phone: 818-374-9645
Physical Address:
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's first and last name and booking #
PO BOX 86164
Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90086-0164
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Valley LA Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 818-374-9645 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a list of criminal courts for Los Angeles County and every other county in California.
The Valley LA Jail maintains an average of 25 offenders in custody on any given day. The Valley LA Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 529,180 offenders.
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How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Valley LA Jail?
What happens during booking in Los Angeles County?
What is the booking process like at the Valley LA Jail?
What kind of questions are asked during booking?
How long does the Valley LA Jail booking process take?
What happens with an offender’s personal property during booking?
To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Valley LA Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 818-374-9645.
There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.
Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.
If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.
After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles County for booking.
Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.
Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Los Angeles County and other California and USA jurisdictions.
If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.
It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.
The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.
During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.
Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.
If the offender remains in jail for any length of time, the Valley LA Jail will allow a friend or family member to pick up the inmate's property if the offender gives written authorization for a named person to do so.
To find out the days and times for picking up an inmate's property, and what you will need to bring to verify your identity, call the jail at 818-374-9645 during business hours.
Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.
If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.
At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.
If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Valley LA Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.
Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.
Yes, California is a bail state, and Los Angeles County allows bail; however California is among a growing number of states who will attempt to release a defendant under bail conditions and/or a reasonable dollar amount rather than impose a dollar amount that cannot be met.
The court will consider what type of bonds from the following list depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
1. Judicial public bail/bond is the release of a defendant without any money but must have some kind of supervision while out on bail.
2. Cash bail is payment by the defendant or another person in part or in full of the total bail. The Los Angeles County Clerk of Court supervises this bond.
3. Property bail is when one or more people put up property owned in the state of California to cover the bond.
4. Professional surety bail is when the defendant is release on bail by having a professional bond company execute the bond.
5. Unsecured bond is where the arrested is released from custody without having to pay a dollar amount upfront. Instead, the arrested and/or surety signs a bond that says that they will pay the full bond amount if they don’t show up to court. Even though there is no money paid, there are usually conditions such as supervised release, curfew, restraining order or attendance at a treatment center.
6. A secured bond is where someone called a surety puts up property with greater value than the bond. A professional bondsperson can be a surety in California or a family or friend with property value that exceeds the amount of the bond amount.
For most misdemeanors, the police and bail magistrate can set bail at the time of the arrest and initial detention.
There are many factors to consider whether the arrested should be given bail and released or be detained until the arraignment. If the circumstances are such that the bail recommendations do not apply, then bail is set by the judge in Superior Court. The Superior Court judge can also consider changing the initial bail terms at the first court appearance.
For some lesser crimes, bail can be set at the time of initial detention and for other crimes, bail is set at the arraignment which must occur within 48 hours of the arrest.
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How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Valley LA Jail? What is the Schedule?
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
818-374-9645
ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 818-374-9645 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM - 11:00AM 2:00PM - 4:00PM |
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Valley LA Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Valley LA Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Valley LA Jail?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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How do I Mail an Inmate in the Valley LA Jail, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Valley LA Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Valley LA Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.
Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.
Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.
Books
The Valley LA Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Valley LA Jail standards will be disposed of.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
6240 Sylmar Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91401
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Valley LA Jail, and what can I purchase?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Valley LA Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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Do Inmates in the Valley LA Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Valley LA Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 818-374-9645 for further assistance.
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What are the other City and County Jails in Los Angeles County?
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Los Angeles County?
This facility, known as "Valley LA Jail" is also known as Los Angeles City Jail System, Van Nuys Station Jail, Valley LA Jail , Valley LA Jail , California, Los Angeles.
