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    Range   The City of Signal Hill jail is a Type I facility and is governed by Title 15 of the California State Code.  The City of Signal Hill jail has two cellblocks, which can house a total of nine prisoners, and one detoxification cell.  The detoxification cell is used to house prisoners who are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

For the safety of the prisoners, officers, and dispatchers, a video camera has been installed in each cell and cellblock.  The cameras allow the jailers to monitor the prisoners 24 hours a day.  A 24 hour time-lapse VCR records all activity within each cell.  The recordings are kept for one year for evidentiary purposes and per state mandated policies. 

  
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      BOOKING PROCESS  
     

All prisoners brought into the jail undergo a routine booking process, which includes:

  
       
     

Removal of all contraband and weapons from the prisoner.  
     

 

    
     

A computer records check to determine if the prisoner has any outstanding warrants, used any other names, and prior criminal history.  
         
         
           
     

The booking officer obtains information that is entered into the Los Angeles County Wide Booking System (which can be accessed via the Internet at http://app1.lasd.org/iic/ajis_search.cfm).  
         
         
           
     

The arresting officer determines the charges.  The County of Los Angeles has set a uniform bail schedule for all offenses.  A copy of the charges and bail amount are given to the prisoner.  
         
         
           
     

A medical screening is done to ensure that all prisoners receive any medical treatment they need.  
         
           
     

Prisoners are fingerprinted using the Tenprinter ™ machine.  
           
     

Prisoners are photographed and a copy is retained for future reference.  
         
           
     

Prisoners are allowed to make phone calls after the booking process has been completed (there is also a phone in each cell so prisoners can make collect phone calls at any time).  
         
         
           
     

The Tenprinter fingerprint machine electronically captures the prisoner's fingerprints and sends them via a T1 line to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the California Department of Justice.  The fingerprints are checked to verify the prisoner's name, date of birth, and any prior criminal history.  This allows the City of Signal Hill to positively identify prisoners, usually within four hours.

  
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
     

 
       
      MALE PRISONERS  
      The Signal Hill Jail temporarily houses pre-sentenced adult, male prisoners who have been arrested on open charges and/or warrants from Signal Hill and other law enforcement agencies statewide and nationwide.  
       
       
         
      FEMALE PRISONERS  
     

All female prisoners are released on their written promise to appear in court or transported to either the Long Beach Women's Jail or to the Los Angeles County Inmate Retention Center pending their arraignment.

  
       
       
         
      DETAINED JUVENILES  
      Juveniles who have been detained are transported to the station for booking and will either be picked up by their parent or guardian or transported to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall or McClaren Hall for housing.   
       
       
         
      VISITATION  
      Prisoners are allowed to have visitors once they have been in custody for at least 24 hours.  Prisoners are allowed one 15 minute visitation per day between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  All visitors must be 18 years of age or older and must present picture identification prior to being allowed to visit.  All prisoners are allowed to consult with their attorney at any time during their stay in the City of Signal Hill Jail.  Clergy are also allowed to visit the prisoners.  
       
       
       
       
       
       
     

 
       
      COURT APPEARANCE  
     

The next step in the legal process for the prisoner is their appearance in court.  If the prisoner is in custody at the Signal Hill Jail, a dispatcher/jailer will transport them to court. 

If there are any open charges, they will see the judge for their arraignment.  At that time, the prisoner will be allowed to visit with a public defender, if they so desire.  The prisoner then enters their plea to the charges.   

If the prisoner is there on a warrant, they will see the judge who issued the warrant and find out why it was issued.  All prisoners are either remanded to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department custody or they are released from court.

  
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
         
      PRISONER INFORMATION  
      Information on prisoners still in custody at the Signal Hill Jail may be obtained by calling (562) 989-7200 and asking for the jail.  Call at noon if you want to find out if a particular prisoner is going to court that day.   
       
       
         
      V.I.N.E. PROGRAM  
      VINE is a program instituted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  This program allows you to check on the status of an inmate via a toll free 24 hour telephone service.  This phone number is 1-877-VINE-4-LA (1-877-846-3452).  You will need the prisoner’s L.A. County booking number to use this service.  DO NOT depend solely on the VINE service for your protection.  If you feel that you may be at risk, take precautions as if the offender has already been released.