The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), in collaboration with County leadership and Correctional Health Services, has unveiled a newly remodeled Mental Health Assessment Area at the Inmate Reception Center (IRC), marking a significant advancement in the Department’s ongoing commitment to care, dignity, and operational excellence within the jail system.
The Inmate Reception Center serves as the primary intake and release facility for all males entering the Los Angeles County Jail system. In 2025, IRC processed more than 50,000 bookings, approximately 138 individuals per day highlighting both the scale of operations and the importance of efficient, well-coordinated intake procedures. Every individual who enters custody receives a comprehensive medical and mental health evaluation conducted by Correctional Health Services to ensure immediate needs are identified and addressed.
The County jail system has experienced a significant increase in individuals entering custody with mental health disorders. In 2022, approximately 41% of those in custody had a diagnosed mental health condition; today, that number has risen to 49%, reinforcing the critical need to expand mental health resources and strengthen supportive services within the jail facilities.
“This new Mental Health Assessment Area reflects our unwavering commitment to providing safe, and professional care,” said Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “By expanding our capacity and improving the assessment environment, we are better equipped to respond to the complex mental health needs of our population while strengthening efficiency and accountability.”
The project originated during a period of significant overcrowding at IRC, when extended wait times and slowed movement underscored the need for innovative solutions. In June 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the Jail Closure Implementation Team and the Alternatives to Incarceration Initiative to explore the use of AB109 funding to alleviate overcrowding. The remodeling project was subsequently approved in April 2023 with a clear focus on ensuring mental health care remained a priority.
Previously designed primarily as a medical clinic, the former assessment space was not equipped to meet today’s mental health demands. It offered only five workstations, cramped assessment windows, and a heavily crowded seating area for individuals experiencing severe mental health crisis conditions that limited privacy and hindered timely evaluations.
The newly expanded area addresses these challenges by increasing capacity from five to nine assessment windows, allowing clinicians to conduct evaluations more efficiently and significantly reduced waiting times. Large partitions between assessment stations promote greater confidentiality. At the same time, the redesigned “Front Bench” is situated in a quieter area, with less foot traffic, creating a more appropriate environment for individuals in crisis.
Operational flexibility has also improved. During peak periods, mental health partners can now redeploy staff from other areas of the jail to assist with assessments, an option previously unavailable due to limited workspace.
The redesign directly supports provisions outlined in the County’s Department of Justice Settlement Agreement, where timeliness and confidentiality remain essential components of compliance. Further strengthening these efforts is the Shared Intake Monitoring System (SIMS), an innovative computer program developed by LASD deputies that enhances tracking and improves the timeliness of inmate movement through IRC.
Across the nation, correctional facilities are increasingly called upon to function as psychiatric hospitals, detoxification centers, and long-term care providers amid broader societal challenges related to mental health, housing instability, and substance abuse disorders. This project reflects the County’s continued commitment to addressing overcrowding while prioritizing mental health care within its facilities.
Looking ahead, planning continues for the future Correctional Care Center, envisioned as a facility modeled after the state hospital system that will provide treatment in the least restrictive, clinically appropriate environment within a secure setting. Once completed, it will be the only facility in the County jail system specifically designed and built to serve medically fragile individuals and those with serious mental illness.
The Department expressed appreciation to the many partners who contributed to the project’s success, including the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors particularly Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn for establishing the capital fund, and Supervisor Hilda Solis and former Supervisor Sheila Kuehl for their leadership in addressing IRC overcrowding as well as the CEO Asset Management Team, DOJ Compliance Team, ISD Project Team, and dedicated professionals at Correctional Health Services.
If you need additional information, please contact Sheriff’s Information Bureau at (213) 229-1850.
Forwarded by:
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles California 90012
http://www.lasd.org
213-229-1700
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Robert G. Luna, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
