Ever wonder what secrets this imposing building holds? This is the Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles. It is a federal prison in downtown Los Angeles. The Metropolitan Detention Center houses both male and female inmates. It holds inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
The Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles opened in December 1988. The construction cost 36 million dollars. It became the fifth U.S. city with a downtown federal prison. Before its opening, the Federal Correctional Institution Terminal Island housed pretrial inmates. This caused overcrowding. The Metropolitan Detention Center’s location near the U.S. District Courthouse is very strategic. It saves time and money transporting prisoners. The U.S. Marshal’s Service saves at least 200000 dollars a year.
The Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles has an administrative security level. This means it houses inmates of all security levels. It is managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The prison’s design was unique for its time. It refers to housing areas as rooms not cells. It uses plate glass windows, balconies, and atriums. Kim Murphy of the Los Angeles Times described it as looking more like an office building than a prison. It was also the first BOP prison to completely ban smoking.
The Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles offers various programs for inmates. These include drug treatment and education programs. Inmates can attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. They can also participate in GED and ESL classes. Inmates may also meet with a chaplain or priest upon request.
Many notable inmates have been housed here. Jose Cabrera Sablan was convicted of murdering a federal correctional officer. Domino Harvey was accused of trafficking methamphetamine. Vianna Roman was indicted for directing gang activities. Paul Anthony Ciancia pleaded guilty to the Los Angeles International Airport shooting.
Life inside the Metropolitan Detention Center includes some services. Health services provide intake screening and medical care. Psychology services offer crisis intervention and therapy. The prison offers education services such as literacy and GED programs. Inmates have access to a law library and recreation services. Recreation includes indoor and outdoor activities.
Visitation is held on Sundays and Saturdays. It is also held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The prison has minimal prison politics and little violence. Some say the food helpings are generous. Others complain that it is boring and the facility is in disrepair.
In 2006, four guards were arrested for smuggling contraband. They smuggled cell phones and cigarettes to prisoners. They received thousands of dollars in payments. The Metropolitan Detention Center Los Angeles stands as a place of detention. It is a place of legal proceedings. It is also a place where lives intersect in unexpected ways.