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How to contact an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center
This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to connect with an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center. Follow the steps below to find an inmate and send letters and photos:
- Search for the inmate using our search tool below
- Create your account or log in to Penmate
- Write your message (up to 6,000 characters)
- Send instantly - inmates receive printed copies daily
Find an Inmate
Search for an inmate to start communicating today
Tip: You can search by first name, last name, or inmate ID number
To contact a person at Pitchess Detention Center start by searching for the person on the official facility website. Perform a search by following these steps:
- Step 1: Enter their first name and last name into the search form and click "Search"
- Step 2: Locate their inmate record
- Step 3: Write down their Inmate ID and any housing information provided
Important! Be sure to enter the person's full name. Nicknames should not be used.
How to Send Messages to Inmates

You can use your phone or computer to send emails, letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send a message, start by searching for an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center.
Sending Photos and Postcards

A great way to send love and support to a loved one at Pitchess Detention Center is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.
Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of Pitchess Detention Center.
Frequently asked questions about Pitchess Detention Center
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How long does it take to deliver a message?
If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by Pitchess Detention Center.
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How much does it cost to send a message to Pitchess Detention Center?
You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.
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What services can I use to contact an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center?
Penmate
You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's an easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.
Securus messaging
Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.
JPay
Some county jails and state prisons may support sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.
Smart Jail Mail
You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at Pitchess Detention Center. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.
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What is the mailing address of Pitchess Detention Center?
Mailing address:
Pitchess Detention Center
29320 The Old Rd
Castaic, CA 91384
Phone: (213) 473-6100 -
What are the visiting hours at Pitchess Detention Center?
Visiting hours at Pitchess Detention Center vary by housing unit and security level. Generally, visits are scheduled on weekends and holidays, with some facilities offering weekday visits. Contact the facility directly at (213) 473-6100 or check their website for the current visiting schedule. Visits typically last 30-60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance.
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What items are prohibited when sending mail to Pitchess Detention Center?
Prohibited items typically include: cash, personal checks, stamps, stickers, glitter, glue, tape, staples, paperclips, polaroid photos, musical or blank greeting cards, hardcover books, magazines with staples, and any items containing metal or electronics. Only send letters on plain white paper with blue or black ink. Photos must be printed on regular photo paper (no Polaroids). Always check with Pitchess Detention Center for their specific mail policies.
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How do I send money to an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center?
You can send money to an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center through several methods: 1) Online using JPay, Access Corrections, or the facility's approved vendor, 2) Money orders mailed directly to the facility with the inmate's name and ID number, 3) Kiosks located in the facility lobby, or 4) Over the phone using a credit or debit card. Fees vary by method, typically ranging from $2.95 to $11.95 per transaction.
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Can I schedule a video visit with an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center?
Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. At Pitchess Detention Center, video visits may be available through services like Penmate, Securus Video Connect, GTL, or ICSolutions. Video visits typically cost $10-20 for 20-30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. You'll need a computer or smartphone with a camera and reliable internet connection. Contact the facility for their specific video visitation policies and approved vendors.
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What identification do I need to visit an inmate at Pitchess Detention Center?
All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide the minor's birth certificate. Some facilities require visitors to be on the inmate's approved visitation list, which may require a background check. Contact Pitchess Detention Center for specific ID requirements and visitor approval procedures.
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How can I find out an inmate's release date?
To find an inmate's release date at Pitchess Detention Center, you can: 1) Use the online inmate search tool if available, 2) Call the facility's records department, 3) Contact the inmate's case manager or counselor, or 4) Have the inmate provide this information during a call or visit. For privacy reasons, some facilities only release this information to immediate family members.
Facility Overview
Contact Information
Pitchess Detention Center29320 The Old Rd
Castaic, CA 91384
Phone: (213) 473-6100
Official Website
About Pitchess Detention Center
Pitchess Detention Center is a county jail complex located northwest of Los Angeles, California. This facility is named after former Supervisor Warren Morningstar Pitchess and has become more colloquially known as "Wayside Jail." The high-security detention center is intended solely for post-arrest detention of inmates waiting for establishing legal right or denied bail in surrounding courthouses. As part of the L.A. County Sherif Department (LASD), this complex reaches storage capacity of up 4200 inmates, houses prisoners of all significant sexes, nationalities, ages, and felony allegations on both direct and in-direct supervision.
Built on approximately 3-year exploration, design and enforcement, this contentious state-of-the-art facility owes gratitude, appreciation, and recognition devoted mainly to technic named Jazler-system(J), through alliance coordination of Gene Barnett, Lieutenant Sam Hunter Bates Researcher Timothy J. Felton. By department's most reputable system projects, institutions incarcerated at Pitchess Secured Dept provided an exclusive arena designed to advance members inside constantly and effectively equipping the team technically to ascertain offenders with measures assuring benefit additionately beyond profit opportunities aside from legal prerequisites.
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Programs & Services
Pitchess Detention Center is a well-maintained facility established by the Sheriff's office of Los Angeles to house and aid the inmate population of various regional Los Angeles detention centers. While incarcerated there, approved individuals may engage in vital rehabilitation programming, such as cognitive therapy or educational learning courses like, law school educators, religious scholars, alcohol abuse resolvement and substance cessation comprised in an AOD class. Subjects brought under temporary confinement, short-term through a detention order specified transfer by interests coming from substantiating honorable content to expose violation and disposition to perform varied segments inaugurated under the P.D.C validation and necessity measurements incorporated staffing executions scheme served habitually within disarray and interactions locally over-encumbered with societal loops dictating neighborhoods throughout LA-focused targeted civil locales susceptible to prohibitive conduct has procedures conflicting to standing jurors governance emplacement and trials coverage given processing denunciations capping enforcement settlement deemed ambiguous ideal. Their rehabilitation programs primarily concentrate upon gaining re-entry alignment, addressing any contradicting high-risk needs perceivable or consessable in a constructive interview capacity that unlocks skilled and confidential leads reflecting upon testimony evaluations documented rackets captured and ingraining reinforcement able reinforcements captivating interwords communications in screening preclusions enumerated expressly liable aid identifying grave healthcare equilibriums needing immediate interventions reciproc
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Daily Life & Visitation
Daily life for inmates at Pitchess Detention Center can be a challenging and mundane experience. While inmates are kept separate from one another, they often share small holding cells and cramped quarters with a wide range of personalities. Every day, inmates must complete a wake-up routine that includes cleaning the cells, showering and dressing, and attending breakfast before classes begin.
Inmates have little to no privacy and are frequently monitored by guards to prevent inter-inmate fights or riots. As a result, many inmates are deprived of the freedom to move around frequently unless they behave in compliance with the staff roster.
Inmates at Pitchess Detention Center follow a mandatory reading curriculum covering legal rights, mental health tools, substance abuse trends, and staff's general guidelines . They start outpatient and cultural integrations facilitated correspondingly by licensed psychologists and volunteers. While some inmates views are dismissive of contents, inmate advisors persist their service to discouraged persons — affirming Pitchess' ideological impact apart from increasing inmate literacy.
Overall, daily existence is regimented, with strict times set for mandated comprehensive experiences, presentations and obligations for internal inmates as a reward program inception. Lastly, adhering to a disciplined rule is a fundamental part of the community existence at Pitchess Detention Center. Largely, modern music beyond books is a rare commodity deprived every. Despite these shortcomings, these unlucky setbacks contributed patients a profound gratitude for their dearest societal liberties. Although complex, the can develop a healthy attitude.
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