Central Juvenile Hall (also known as Eastlake Juvenile Hall) is closed. On July 13, 2023, the Los Angeles County Probation Department officially vacated the premises after moving all its juvenile inmates to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.

According to a press release, LA County’s Interim Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa announced, “It’s official — Los Padrinos is now a functioning juvenile hall and Central no longer houses youth.”

Below we will explain:

• 1. History of Central Juvenile Hall
• 2. Booking process
• 3. Contacting your child
• 4. Visiting hours
• 5. Sending mail

You may also visit our related pages on California juvenile criminal law, minors being prosecuted as adults in California, the juvenile court process, and how to seal juvenile court records.

1. History of Central Juvenile Hall

Central Juvenile Hall (also called Eastlake Juvenile Hall) was established back in 1912 and was the first juvenile detention facility in Los Angeles County. It underwent major renovation in 2004.

However in May of 2023, state regulators deemed Central as “unsuitable” for youths. As a result, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) decided to close the facility.

Prior to closure, Central housed “pre-disposition” youths while their court proceedings took place. After that, depending on the outcome of the case, the children would generally be:

• released to their parents,
• put in a foster home,
• placed in a three to twelve (3 – 12)-month camp program, or,
• in extreme situations, sent to the California Youth Authority.

Central was located at 1605 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033 in Lincoln Heights:

2. Booking process

Children who are arrested in Los Angeles are no longer booked at Central. Instead, your children will be booked at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, located 7285 Quill Drive, Downey, CA 90242 and reachable at (562) 940-8681.

During the intake process, minors are examined physically and mentally for any health concerns. Some minors are detained at the Special Handling Unit depending on their behavior and are only returned with the general population when they are ready.

Each child is provided with the basic needs to maintain their personal hygiene. Supplies are replenished on a regular basis or as necessary.

Once a minor is court-ordered for transfer to another detention facility or is officially discharged from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, they will change into their personal clothing worn upon intake. Plus all personal belongings stored for them while detained will be returned at that time.

3. Contacting your child

Central Juvenile Hall is closed, and all the youths who were detained there were moved to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Children detained at Los Padrinos may not receive incoming calls at any given time. Consequently, all minors are allowed access to a phone (for a reasonable number of times), where they can make outgoing calls restricted to

• parents,
• grandparents, or
• legal guardians.

To inquire about your child, you may contact the Supervising Probation Officer 24/7 at (323) 226-8611. Also learn more in the Juvenile Delinquency Handbook by the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Central Juvenile Hall was located at 1605 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033.

4. Visiting hours

Central Juvenile Hall is closed. However, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall‘s visiting hours are from 1pm to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors are restricted to parents, grandparents, and legal guardians unless the court or Supervising Probation Officer allows visiting privileges for other relatives.

On days when your child has a court appearance, visitors are allowed a 20-minute “after court” visitation between 5pm and 7pm to discuss with them what happened in court.

When you visit, leave all your belongings in your car except one or two keys and ID. Be sure to dress conservatively.

5. Sending mail

Since Central Juvenile Hall is now closed, you may send letters to your children at:

NAME
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall
7285 Quill Dr.
Downey, CA 90242

Letters must include a return address, must not exceed 5″ x 7″ in size, and may include five photos.

All letters are reviewed for security reasons (except for attorney-client mail). Packages are forbidden.