Programs and Work Opportunities at West County Detention Facility

West County Detention Facility is a direct supervision jail in Richmond, California. It opened in 1991 and was built as a co-educational, program-oriented facility. The design matters: daily movement supports programming rather than keeping everyone locked in one place.

People housed at WCDF can leave their housing units to attend educational or vocational programs. This makes it easier to actually get to a class, appointment, or scheduled activity when it's offered.

Educational and vocational programs at West County come through a contract between the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office and the Contra Costa County Office of Education. When you hear "school" or "vocational classes" at WCDF, those services are coming through this formal partnership, not informal or inmate-run activities.

WCDF offers work opportunities inside the facility. One of the main roles is kitchen work, where inmates gain experience in culinary arts and safe food handling. Kitchen jobs build routine and practical, workplace-relevant skills.

Laundry operations is another common assignment. Inmates work with commercial laundering equipment, handling the constant linen and clothing needs of a large facility. It's real operational work with transferable skills.

West County Detention Facility houses up to 1,096 inmates across five housing units: four for males, one for females. Program access and scheduling can vary based on where someone is housed and what's running at the time.

Since inmates can leave their housing units for programs and classes, availability depends on what's currently scheduled and what a person qualifies for. If you're trying to help from the outside, the best approach is to confirm which programs and work assignments are running now, and how your loved one can request to participate.

• ✓ Call West County Detention Facility and ask what education, vocational classes, and work assignments are currently available
• ✓ Ask whether availability varies by housing unit and what the sign-up or request process is for the person in custody
• ✓ Check the facility’s main information page for the most current descriptions of programs and services