1/2 Cent for New Santa Barbara Jail

In a push to get the new Santa Barbara County Jail off of the ground, Sheriff Bill Brown says it will take a half-cent public tax increase. This would essentially amount to an added $30 million a year over 10 years for the new jail facility. The funding would also be aimed at recidivism programs.

Through Assembly Bill 900, the state has committed $56.3 million toward the construction of the new jail facility. It seems as though everything has come into alignment for the build. However, there are bridges yet to be crossed.

Budget costs just to run and operate the new facility would be in excess of $15 to 17 million per year. When you add the states fiscal woes to the mix, it creates an overal proposal that some believe can’t be met. The County would still have to come out of pocket another $23.7 million to meet the needs of the facility. However, Brown Read more »

Bail Bonds Can Be Revoked

When someone is arrested they usually seek the services of a bail bondsman to get them released from jail.  The price you pay for that is typically 10% of the bail amount, and most consider that a small fee in order to get their freedom back and resume normal activities.  Once you pay a bondsman and are released from jail, you are free to go anywhere you’d like, when you’d like, and do what you want to do. 

But hold on just a minute.  There really is no guarantee of total freedom when you are released on bail.  You must understand there are “terms of release” set by Read more »

LAPD Metro Center Jail Still Stands Unused

What was new, is getting to be 4 years old. The huge, LAPD Metro jail facility constructed out of the city’s dire need for a new jail still sits unused like an impressionist piece of art in downtown Los Angeles.

The grand 5 story, high-tech,170,000 square foot LAPD Metro Center jail was to replace the dilapidated, old and decrepit Parker Center Jail, AKA “The Glass House,” which opened nearly 60 years ago.

The plan was to have the new Metro jail opened by the start of next year, according to Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck. However, the $74 million dollar project yet has any wings to fly.

The new facility has automated security doors, a state-of-the-art cooling system and  four individual “pods” which would hold up to 125 inmates. Each pod requires three jailers and several more jail staff are needed dispersed throughout different posts. This would require a staff of approximately 22 to fill each shift twice a day, which would lead to a significant increase of overall staff, as compared to the old jail. 

Struck by a city’s burgeoning deficit and huge budget cuts, there is just not enough money to pay for and staff the jailers it would require to run the behemoth facility. 

There are currently 10 LAPD jails located Read more »

Bail Bonds While Vacationing

Have you ever thought about needing a bail bondsman while you are on vacation?  While summer is fast approaching and we’re thinking about family vacations, as a family of bondsmen we think about such things…

Most people never think they will ever end up in jail while vacationing, unfortunately it does happen.  It could be  too much fun in the sun, a heated argument, a little too much to drink, or a variety of other unexpected incidents. 

If you travel in the US, information about the bail bonds process can help. However, traveling outside the US Read more »

What is a Bail Bond & What Does It Cost?

Bail bonds, sometimes called ‘surety bonds’ are used to have a defendant released from jail, without having to pay the entire amount. Kind of like an insurance policy, the bond is submitted to the jail and the promise to “make good” on the bond is put into play.

What’s great for the consumer is the bail bond company will only charge 10% of the total amount, which makes it financially easier to bail someone out. Therefore, if the bail is set at $20,000, the consumer would only have to pay$2,000 for the defendant’s release. Further, in certain situations like if the person is using an attorney, the bail agency can legally offer an 8% bond, which would make the premium $1,600 instead of $2,000.

I Signed a Bail Bond Contract, What are My Responsibilities?

Many people are quickly put in the position to help a friend, family member or loved one who has been arrested.  With all the anxiety and quick timing wrapped around the bail process, many don’t take the time to actually “process” exactly what they are taking responsibility for when signing for a bail bond.

When signing a bail bond contract, you (the indemnitor) will take on the following  responsibilities:

1. The first and foremost responsibility is that you (the indemnitor), along with the bail agency, will make sure the defendant returns to every one of their court dates without fail.
2. For some reason, should the defendant fail Read more »

West Valley Detention Center Information

General Information

West Valley Detention Center – Jail
9500 Etiwanda Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
909-350-2476 Inmate Information
Bail Bonds for West Valley Jail

The San Bernardino County Jail is also known as the West Valley Detention Center. If someone you know has been arrested by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department or in the surrounding areas of San Bernardino County, it is highly likely they will be transferred to the West Valley Detention Center jail.

The facility is located one mile from the 15 and 10 freeways in Rancho Cucamonga and has the reputation of being one of the largest county jails in California.

Jail Visiting Information

If you are planning a visit to an inmate at the West Valley Detention Center, you Read more »

Glendale Jail Information

General Information

Glendale Police Department and Jail
131 North Isabel
Glendale, CA 91206
Jail Phone: 818-548-3124

The Glendale City Jail is certified as a Type I Jail Facility. It has 48 cells and 96 beds. It can often take from 2 to 4 hours to book an arrestee into the facility.

The Jail in Glendale is the third busiest municipal jail in the county of Los Angeles. It is said that approximately 500-700 persons are booked into the Glendale jail every month.

Jail Visitation

• All visitations are Read more »