Bell Jail

About Bell Jail

Bell Jail is a city jail operating under the municipal government of Los Angeles, California. City jails primarily house individuals who have been recently arrested and are awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing. They also hold individuals serving short sentences of typically one year or less.

Bell Jail is administered by the city's law enforcement or corrections department and plays a central role in the local criminal justice system. The facility provides booking, classification, medical screening, and basic services to newly arrested individuals. Programs available may include substance abuse counseling, GED preparation, and pre-release planning, depending on the inmate's length of stay.

Family members can contact inmates housed at Bell Jail through approved mail, phone calls, and scheduled visitation. Because city jails process a high volume of short-stay inmates, visiting procedures and phone setup should be initiated as early as possible. Review the communication sections below for current options.

Facility Type and Security Level

Bell Jail operates at a medium level of security as a city detention facility. The facility is managed by the Los Angeles law enforcement department and follows local and state regulations for inmate safety and facility management.

Contact Bell Jail Administration

Phone

Call the facility directly at 323-585-1245 during regular business hours for questions about inmate status, visiting hours, and facility policies.

How to Contact an Inmate at Bell Jail

Send Mail

Address mail to:

Phone Calls

Phone calls are managed through GTL. Inmates make outgoing collect calls only. Set up a prepaid account before calls can be received. All calls are recorded. Read our inmate phone guide for setup instructions.

How to Send Money

Use one of the following approved methods to deposit into the inmate's trust account:

An inmate trust account allows your loved one to buy essential items from the prison commissary — including hygiene products, food, clothing, and calling credits. California prisons accept deposits through several approved services. Choose the method that works best for you.

Method 1 — Access Corrections (Online, Recommended)

• Visit accesscorrections.com and create a free account.
• Pay by debit card, credit card, or bank account (ACH). Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
• Funds typically post within 24–48 hours on business days.
• A service fee is charged per transaction; the fee amount is shown before you confirm.

Method 2 — JPay (Online & Mobile)

• Visit JPay.com or download the JPay app: Android iOS
• Select the California Department of Corrections facility and enter your inmate's ID to proceed.
• Phone deposits available 24/7 at 1-800-574-5729.

Method 3 — Facility Kiosk (In-Person)

• Many California correctional facilities have on-site kiosks that accept debit or credit cards.
• Walk up to the kiosk in the lobby or visiting area, enter the inmate's ID, and deposit the desired amount.
• Funds post immediately in most cases.

Method 4 — Phone (TouchPay / JPay)

• Call JPay at 1-800-574-5729 to send money by phone with a debit or credit card.
• Call TouchPay at 1-866-232-1899 for an alternative phone deposit option.
• Service fees may apply for phone transactions.

Method 5 — Money Order or Cashier's Check by Mail

• Make the money order or cashier's check payable to the inmate's full committed name and include the inmate ID on the memo line.
• Some facilities require an additional deposit form. Download the California deposit form and include it with your mail.
• Send via USPS only — private carriers (FedEx, UPS) are not accepted.
• Processing time: 7–10 business days after receipt.

Method 6 — Western Union or MoneyGram

• Visit westernunion.com or a local Western Union agent. Select "Quick Collect" and provide the inmate's facility and ID.
• MoneyGram is accepted at select CDCR facilities — confirm with the facility before sending.

Information Required for Any Deposit

• Inmate's full committed name
• CDC number (California Department of Corrections ID)
• Facility name (the specific CDCR prison or jail)

Deposits with incorrect information may be delayed or returned. Read our full inmate money transfer guide for detailed help with every method.

Read our full inmate money guide for detailed instructions.

Visitation Guide for Bell Jail

Visiting an inmate at a city jail requires advance approval. Contact the facility at 323-585-1245 to confirm current visiting hours and procedures before arriving.

Getting Approved

All visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Download the visitor application for your state and submit it to the facility in advance. Read our complete visitation guide before your first visit.

Visitation Rules

• All adult visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an approved adult at all times.
• All visitors are subject to search before entering the visiting area.
• Dress code: no revealing clothing, no gang-affiliated colors, no inmate-style clothing.
• No food, beverages, electronic devices, or cameras permitted in the visiting area.
• Facility staff may deny or terminate any visit for safety or security reasons.

Visitation Timings

Hours are approximate. Confirm current hours with the facility before traveling.