Van Nuys Jail

Last updated by Elizabeth Boyle

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Los Angeles County

Van Nuys Jail

Information about inmates at the 25-bed Van Nuys Jail is available by calling 818-374-9645 at any hour.

People arrested in the county for misdemeanors and felonies are brought here and go through booking and processing. If their charges require it, they remain in custody until they bond out, are released on their own recognizance, or are held until the conclusion of their trial.

Look up the facility’s current roster with the inmate search tool.

Inmates sentenced to less than one year serve their time at this jail. Longer sentences are served in the California State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This page provides guidance on the visitation schedule, funding an inmate’s account, mailing an inmate, phone calls, voicemail, email and text messaging, tablet rentals, bail bonds, and commissary.

Keep the inmate’s jail ID or booking number for communication purposes. If you can’t find it online, call Van Nuys Jail at 818-374-9645.

Phone: 818-374-9645

Physical Address:
6240 Sylmar Ave.
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

How Do You Find Someone in the Van Nuys Jail?

To find out whether someone is being held at the Van Nuys Jail, what they are charged with, how much their bond is, when they can have visitors, or to view their mugshot, search the official jail inmate roster or call 818-374-9645. A statewide court finder covers Los Angeles County and every other county in California.

Van Nuys Jail Inmate Search

Could you have a warrant in Los Angeles County or anywhere else in California? Do you need information about a court case involving you, a friend, or a relative? Begin your search with the California Superior Court.

Under the California Constitution, most criminal defendants in Los Angeles County have a right to be released on bail before trial, except in certain capital and violent felony cases. The California Supreme Court has held that bail must be set with the defendant’s financial circumstances in mind, and that less restrictive alternatives should be used when they would protect the public and ensure the defendant returns to court. Rule 4.101 bars judges from considering whether a jury trial has been requested.

Need an inmate’s bail amount? Call the Van Nuys Jail at 818-374-9645. If you know the crime they’ve been accused of, you can also look it up on the Los Angeles County bail schedule. Cash, surety, and property bonds are accepted.

The Van Nuys Jail holds a license for 25 inmates, but it often has to make room for many more offenders, especially on weekends. At most city and county jails in California, at least 35-40% of the population turns over every month. Every 90 days, another 25-30% turns over, and every six months, another 15-20%. About 8-9% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Inmates held longer than twelve months are typically facing serious charges like rape or murder. Because those cases take longer to prepare for trial, offenders arrested in this county remain in custody at one of the Los Angeles County facilities much longer.

Every year, Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 462,420 offenders.

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About the Van Nuys Jail
The Van Nuys Jail in California has a capacity of 140 inmates. It is a Type I facility governed by Title 15 of the California State Code and has the capability of holding up to eighteen inmates. The jail is located within the Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Community Police Station and serves as a temporary holding facility. The Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center, also known as Pitchess Detention Center or simply Pitchess, is an all-male county detention center and correctional facility located nearby. The Van Nuys Jail is located at 6240 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, California 91406. The jail's capacity is 140 inmates and its contact number is 818-374-9645. For more information, you can call the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Inmate Information line at (213) 473-6100. Visiting hours at the Van Nuys Jail in California are typically between 10am and 12pm, and 1pm to 3pm on weekdays and weekends. Visits are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with each inmate allowed one or two visits per week ranging from 15 minutes to one hour in length. Attorneys and clergy may receive additional visits, while inmates with special privileges may receive additional visits as well. The jail is managed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, not the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The Van Nuys Jail in California is unique in that it serves as a holding facility for both males and females arrested in the San Fernando Valley area. It is a Type I facility governed by Title 15 of the California State Code and has a capacity of 140 inmates. Visiting hours, address, bail, and phone information are available from the Los Angeles Police Department's Bail Account, while visitation and bail information can be found on Sylmar Avenue near the Library.
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Recent Bookings & Arrests

How booking works at Van Nuys Jail

When someone is arrested, they are taken to Van Nuys Jail for booking. This process includes identifying them, deciding on charges, and determining if they will be eligible for bail or held until court.

It's important to stay silent during this process, as any statements made may be used in court. Legal advice should be sought before speaking about the case.

The following steps make up the booking process at Van Nuys Jail:

  • Verification of personal details.
  • Taking mugshots for identification purposes.
  • Health assessments and questions about criminal history.
  • Possible DNA collection if required.
  • Search of the individual.
  • Confiscation of personal property.
  • Providing a phone call.

For more information on paying an arrestee’s bond, contact Van Nuys Jail at 818-374-9645.

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Directions / Map to the Van Nuys Jail
Inmate Bail and Bonding

Paying bail for someone in Los Angeles County

After being arrested and booked into Van Nuys Jail in Van Nuys, the arrestee's situation will proceed in one of three ways:

1. They may be released without bail and required to attend a court hearing.
2. They may be held in custody until their court date.
3. Bail can be posted for their release; call 818-374-9645 for the exact bail amount.

There are multiple ways to pay bail.

  • Ask the jail at 818-374-9645 which forms of payment it takes for a cash bond before you go.
  • Licensed bail bond agents in Los Angeles County can facilitate the process.
  • Some courts accept real property as bond collateral; ask the court or the jail whether that is an option in Los Angeles County.

To get more information on the bail process in Los Angeles County, California, visit the Van Nuys Jail Bail FAQ.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Van Nuys Jail? What is the Schedule?

Van Nuys Jail ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE

6240 Sylmar Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
818-374-9645

  • Visits are 30 minutes.
  • You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
  • The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 818-374-9645 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
  • Inmates are allowed one visit per week.
  • A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per inmate.
  • Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
  • Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.

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 Van Nuys 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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Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Van Nuys Jail?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Van Nuys 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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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Van Nuys Jail?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Van Nuys 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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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Van Nuys Jail?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Van Nuys 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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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Van Nuys Jail, and what can I send them?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Van Nuys 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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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Van Nuys Jail, and what can I purchase?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Van Nuys 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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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Van Nuys Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Van Nuys 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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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Van Nuys 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 Van Nuys 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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Other Jails in Los Angeles County

What are the other City and County Jails in Los Angeles County?

Los Angeles County County Jails
Los Angeles County City Jails
Los Angeles County Juvenile Facilities
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Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Los Angeles County?

Los Angeles Orange Ventura Kern San Bernardino
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Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Los Angeles County

This facility, known as "Van Nuys Jail" is also known as Van Nuys Jail, California, Los Angeles.