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Custody Division Manual / Volume 6 - Station Jail Manual

6-14/030.00 Access to Telephones


6-14/020.00 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Station Jail Orientation
6-14/040.00 Access to Courts and Counsel

By court decision, these sections shall be "construed broadly and permissively." Except where physically impossible, the calls shall be completed no later than three hours after an arrest or detention.

Sections 851.5 PC and 627 WIC give any arrested adult or detained juvenile the right to complete at least three telephone calls.

Each Sheriff's station shall have a sign(s) printed in English and Spanish displayed in the booking/detention area that states:

  • The inmate's right to complete three phone calls. The calls are free if they are within the local dialing area
  • The inmate's right to complete two additional phone calls at no expense, if they are the custodial parent of a minor child, for the purpose of arranging care for the minor child or children. The calls are free if they are within the local dialing area
  • The inmate is allowed an additional call to the Bail Commissioner's office to inquire about bail reduction or own recognizance (OR) release
  • The Bail Commissioner's phone number and office hours (213-351-0311 from 0630-0130 hours)
  • The phone number to the local Public Defender's office (Station specific)

General procedures for implementing these sections are as follows:

  • If the call does not satisfy the intent for which it was made, the inmate shall be granted an additional call(s) in order to obtain bail, an attorney, a physician, or to notify family, employer or friend
  • If they desire, a person arrested on a charge of intoxication shall be permitted one additional call at his/her own expense to obtain a physician to take his blood sample
  • "Collect" calls are not considered free calls. If the inmate wishes to call someone outside the local calling area, the call must be made at the inmate's expense or the charges must be reversed to the person called (e.g., a "collect" call)
  • Additional phone calls may be granted at the discretion of the watch commander
  • The Public Defender's phone number shall be provided to the inmate upon request
  • If any act which constitutes a new booking is performed, the inmate shall be permitted two additional phone calls as outlined above
  • Per 810 PC the inmate is permitted to make an additional call to the Bail Commissioner or a magistrate

Inmates shall be permitted the required calls whether they are booked at a station, at IRC/CRDF or are remanded to custody at court. It shall be the responsibility of the on duty jailer to permit the inmate to make the required telephone calls.

The calls may be completed before, during, or immediately after the booking process is completed. If the inmate is physically unable to make a telephone call within the three-hour time limit, arrangements shall be made for the call(s) to be completed as soon as the inmate is able.

If it is determined that due to serious illness/injury, the inmate will be unable to make a telephone call for an indefinite time, in excess of the three-hour limit, a known local next-of-kin notification shall be completed by the Department member making the determination.

The employee shall sign his name, employee number, and the date on the booking slip indicating he has made the telephone call for the inmate.

If an inmate becomes ill while in transit by the Court Services Transportation Bureau and is confined in a local hospital, it shall be the responsibility of the Court Services Transportation Bureau to enter the information on the prisoner transmittal sheet in the absence of a booking slip.

Sentenced Inmates (Inmate Workers)

Inmate workers have access to a pay phone within the station. They may use the phone at any time, as long as it does not interfere with their work assignments.

Pre-Arraigned Inmates

Inmates shall be given the opportunity during each shift to make local phone calls or long distance phone calls, at their own expense.

Each jailer shall allow every inmate access to phones on his/her shift subject to the actual demands placed on the jailer to complete his/her regular required duties. Actual demands placed on the jailer to complete his/her regular required duties will determine frequency of access to telephones.