I have been a guest of OC on several short stays at the "Farm", on the west yard as a pretrial inmate, but all before 2010, since that was my last vacation. I wanted to detail the last time I was a resident there. I was picked up on a bench warrant that the court clerk neglected to recall the month before right as I headed to rehab at the VA Long Beach at Xmas time. A month later, the day after I transition to aftercare in Costa Mesa, I get picked up in Orange as I am checking my mail at Mary's Kitchen, I'm scooped up, and it's 3 days until court, which is my bday. I figured out what was happening when OPD went to pick up the warrant abstract at their HQ b4 taking me to the county jail. The cops also knew it was a screwup, and let me call my probation officer while getting their paperwork and I had her call my house so they wouldn't think I absconded and throw out my stuff. Thanks, Juanita Zambrano, you looked out for me! Monday, go to Central court and court tells me there was a mistake, and I go "Yeah , I know", just like I have for the last 3 days to by bunkie, the west yard guests, and the cops. I get taken back to the farm, the deputy that surfed all the time, name escapes me, had me roll it up, walked me to dress out, cashier, and brought me back to ride into the main with a work crew doing PM Kitchens, all before the sun went down on Jan 25th. The bus driver, a deputy, pulled up on Grand in Santa Ana a block from the bus and train station, let me off, gave me my property, and went on to the Main jail. The normal procedure was you got processed for release late in the evening, and if you could get a ride to come out, they would let you go or you had to wait for the night kitchen crew to head to work at 2-3 am on a bus and you got released at the Main jail. I got back to Costa Mesa in time to get supper at my sober living at 6 pm, which is the mandatory attendance activity for that place, so I didn't have to account for being out overnight. The point is this: 1. It took 3 days to get to court, which was the only way to straighten out this screwup, but the cops either felt I rated special treatment due to a govt mistake, it was my bday or both, I didn't ask and they didn't say. I did what you do in custody, which is do what you are told by the deputies, if you have a question you open your mouth and ask respectfully. I can't speak to the present configuration at the Farm, but as a mental health court program and combat vet program participant, putting those prisoners at the Farm has got to be better than the Main or at Theo Lacey. read more

*UPDATED JANURARY 2018* I have updated my post with more information regarding this jail/inmates.. Of the three main Orange County jails, Musick (aka The Farm) is the one you want to serve your sentence at. It is the jail for most non-violent criminals as it is low security. After experiencing short stints behind bars at all 3 locations, I found The Farm to be the easiest place to rest my head while involuntarily being away from home (I have only had a couple misdemeanor charges). The most relaxed guards works here, fellow inmates are easier to get along with (definitely not as much in the way of inmate "jail politics" compared to the other 2 jails), and best of all the food tends to be a bit better (still far from perfect, but at least they usually give cheese with the infamous bologna sandwiches). The place is obviously more open (hence being dubbed The Farm). Inmates are able to work within the jail/farming area to help reduce their sentence. Good behavior goes a long way here!.. Guards do counts periodically through the day, and they keep a tight schedule for inmates (early wake up, meals, rec time, work, weekend visitation, etc). As mentioned before, this is a low security location. Inmates that end up here are not normally looking to be the tough guy of the jail. Everyone comes to do their time and get out. Visitation and phone calls are big here. There are more phones accessible for inmates BUT they are not normally available to use at any time unlike the other jails. Guards let inmates out to use them (usually in the evening time, but that could change), and its a first come first serve basis for who gets a phone... Visitation happens 8am to 6pm Fridays through Monday. Be sure to check in for your visit before 5:30pm or else you wont get in. The visitation process is also more relaxed here. Instead of being behind glass, you sit across from one another at benches. You are not allowed physical contact with inmates, and will be thrown out if you violate visitation rules. Guards will go through them with you upon arrival. While I dont recommend getting locked up, this is the place to serve time if you do screw up. I tried to be thorough with my review, but always feel free to contact me with other questions and I will try my best to answer what I can (I can at least give an inside point of view of the jail, unlike many of these other reviews). read more

So, I have never stayed here... I have just been for a few visits. Mom, please dont read this :) I know you thought my ex boyfriend was a jerk and married, but nope, he was just in jail... isnt that great news? HA! Seriously though, everyone who worked here at the time was very nice. This was quite a few years ago... in 2005. When I checked in at the beginning, the deputy made sure to tell me my boyfriend was going to ask me to put money on his books, but I shouldnt because its his fault he is there. He also told me he would try to slip his tongue in my mouth for a kiss, but advised me not to do that as well, as boys are dirty. LOL The only rule I was told from some other visitors as we waited for the bus was women were not allowed to wear lace. Good thing I changed just before I headed out of house! The deputies always stared at me during my visits... and Im sure it was because they were thinking exactly what everyone I knew was... What the hell are you doing here???? Anyway, everything seemed clean and nice and organized... and I picked up my ex prisoner in the middle of the night when he was released... then he got drunk the next day (Was in there for THREE DUIs) and I dumped him. So, I hopefully will never return the The Farm, as nice of a place as it was. :) read more

Had to visit a friend's daughter here while she was doing 3 months. Fridays are usually my day. But after 30 years of criminal defense work and having been to dozens of prisons, this one they call the "Farm" was easy to visit and quick to get into and out. Parking is ample on their own unpaved lot. Be sure to leave everything in the car except for car key fob, and a photo ID. One cool thing, is the deputies are friendly and will joke around with you at the gate. Also they put the prisoner's number on a strip of tape on the back of my driver's license to speed up the process. So if you have to visit numerous times, just leave it there. This place will close for new construction sometime in 2019, after all the INS detainees are removed by perhaps July 2019. It will reopen in a couple of years with a new building meant to house a larger mental-health problems and substance-abusing population. From all the reports we had from my prisoner, she really wanted to get to the Farm from the main jail, and was happy to be there, where you can get a job quickly. In a month she's had two job changes and is adjusting well. The bus ride from the gate is short and comfortable, and the visiting room is well maintained, but all visits are now separated, with no physical contact. Not exactly what we would expect from a laid back minimum security facility, so they lose a star on that policy. Otherwise, if you have to "go to jail" without collecting $200, then this is not too bad a place to be, or to visit. Well recommended (to visit) we will return. read more

[This review was featured in the OC Register: http://www.ocregister.com/news/police-290396-irvine-reviews.html] Like Juice C., I have been touring many of the state's criminal justice institutions over the past few years. I recently had the opportunity to stay at "The Farm". At checkin, the uniformed porters take all your stuff for safekeeping during your stay and issue you fresh clothes. When they showed me to my room, I tried offering one of them a tip but they somewhat ingraciously declined. The rooms themselves are a bit cramped, without much of a view. One of the unique things about staying at this kind of place is you often have a roommate. On my most recent stay, my roommate was Slim Jim, a professional robber from Garden Grove. I got to know him really well. The in-house restaurant left something to be desired, as it's cafeteria-style and to tell you the truth I don't think the chefs try very hard. Unfortunately, offsite dining options are limited so you're kind of stuck with it. At the end of the day, these are all minor quibbles. I'd much rather stay here than get thrown into the 10x overcrowded LA Jail and risk injury. And it sure beats getting whacked by one of Sheriff Corona's mob buddies. [Edit]: Another Yelper recently private messaged me with some concern about one of their loved ones having an upcoming stay scheduled at this facility. I reassured her that The Farm only holds non-violent offenders and is one of the safest facilities in the system. I hope this eases the concerns of anyone else who might be using Yelp reviews to help them select a California incarceration facility. read more

I am OUT OF JAIL!!!! I guess Lindsay Lohan and I are trying to make competition of who gets out faster, but this was no laughing matter. Well, this is the second detention/prison that I have been to in the past 2-3 months. Well, my female friend had to visit the person before the person was deported to Vancouver, Canada. You do the crime, now, you must do the time. The location of the prison is located in a busy commercial area and hiding behind the buildings. You got Southern California Edison, Taco Bell Headquarters, and all these buildings and when you turn into Musick Road, it becomes a farm. The prison is nicknamed, "The Farm" because it does look like a farm, but with heavy fences and Orange County Sheriffs presence. We arrived around 9:15am after an hour drive from Hollywood. Once you approach the gate, you will be required to show ID cards for all people in the vehicle. After that, you will be required to open your trunk for the Sheriff to see if there are any weapons or contraband in there. You park on non-paved area just before the first palm tree. Before we checked in, my friend and I left non-essentials like my watch, wallet, and cellphones in the car. I told my friend to not bring the pen/pencil because it could be used as a weapon in the facility. You check in at the bungalow and give them your Booking # and ID cards. You are allowed only 2 Visitors and 1 child. The visit will last only 30 minutes. You will be checking your items that you have brought like car keys to the visiting center. Once you give them your ID, the office will give you a visitor's pass in order to pass. You will be taking a bus to the visiting center for security reasons. The bus comes every 15 minutes. We were greeted by one of the Orange County Sheriffs' shuttles and off to the location. It feels like i was arrested or were part of a secret mission. Once you arrive to the facility, you will be greeted at the door by another Sheriffs Officer. Just to note: the Sheriffs Officer that greeted us was very cute. Too bad I don't work with her like I did with Metro's Sheriffs. You check in and wait until a table is free to be used. This room is used for recreational activities like church and other activities after Visiting Hours are over. Tables are separated by red lines and no touching or hugging is allowed. If you need to pass physical documents, you must call a Sheriffs Officer to pass the documents as a safety precaution. However, I did tell my friend to leave the pen in the car and when our detainee needed to sign with a pen, they did not have one on hand. Possibly, the pen could be used a weapon that's why they didn't have any, just one pencil. You be will required to leave hats, keys, and other items on a table. There are no lockers like previous detention centers I have been to. We waited for 5-7 minutes for the detainee to come out. Again, the female Sheriffs Officer joked with me about wearing blue dress shirt and blue jeans because the detainees/prisoners were also wearing blue scrubs/uniforms. I think I am in love with another Sheriffs Officer. One from Los Angeles County and now Orange County. :P . Once you are done, back onto the bus. My friend asked the shuttle driver if there was a bathroom on the grounds, he said, "Yes", but didn't tell where. That was kinda rude of him. Might as well get out of there before we adapt the feelings and mentality of the Officers there. When you checkout, Sheriffs will check your car one more time and ask you to open the trunk. After that, you are back into civilization. It was sad to be at a detention/prison for a second time in less than 3 months. The only reason why I didn't rate Five-Stars is....Why is it the greatest place on Earth? No one should ever be here. Now, time to find the restroom. Gosh, that female officer was very nice to me. I guess I get the females in uniforms from time to time. Not sure if you want to Have Fun here, but Keep Yelping!! read more

The wait is faster than Theo Lacy and Main jail in Santa Ana. Everything's just better for us the visitors and the inmates

The Farm, LOL, We call this place "Camp Snoopy". And if you don't have a ride when you get out, just walk to Trabuco, hang a left and hit the local bar "The Iron Mule" at the corner of Trabuco and Bake Pkwy. There is also food, and a liquor store. You can hang out while you're waiting on that ride, or catch a bus. read more

If your crime is one that allows you the privilege of being incarcerated at The Farm, be grateful! I am not proud of the mistakes I have made, but TBH I was one of the inmates luckily eligible to be housed here. For inmates-this place is the place to do your time. If you have ever been to The Main in Santa Ana you know it's an overcrowded, claustrophobic, underground Dungeon like atmosphere with no air to breathe.... At The Farm on the other hand theres plenty of room, natural light, windows and if you mind your own, respect authority and follow the jail rules You even get to go outside in the sunshine on the grass in the fresh air. The food was not bad.. you get pancakes every other Saturday morning. The head deputy was a mother who lost her daughter to a heroin overdose. Yeah some may say she was a bitch but she was angry at all of us women for doing dumb shit and bringing ourselves so close to death as well! Look at the bigger picture people! Trust and believe the female deputies care about you as a women and want to help you. Own your shit and if you did the crime fucking do to the time. And if you're at the Farm try being grateful instead of building resentments towards staff! Being in county is not meant to be a reward. It's obvious those that give bad reviews are multiple offenders with have no intention of being a law abiding citizen. For me, The system did exactly what it was supposed to do and for this I am grateful! Today I have 6 years free of crime, clean and sober, and I would like to Thank the James A. Musick Facility for their role on my journey. read more

Just wanted to let everyone know that the visiting center at this facility is awesome!!!!lol. I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 month stay here. its like the Hilton of jails.... ;p Special shout out to the awesome deputies that work visiting. Runyun, Taylor, Ibottson, Smith, You guys were great. read more

Just want to say thank you for the hospitality while visiting my loved one. All the deputies were nice and respectful. It's hard visiting someone (especially being 36 weeks pregnant and hormonal). I was offered a tissue when I was leaving because I was obviously having a rough time. So THANK YOU for the kindness and for making my visit feel comfortable. I really appreciate it. Kudos to them. read more

As far as the Orange county jails go, this is the most layed back, the good is better and the guards respect you as long as you do the same. Their is hot water coolers brought in each day for coffee, not just the sink. Downside is the phone access, they are only in the yard and it's only once a day at a undetermined time. You get to look out side and see grass in the courtyard which is something that you forget is so nice until your in a cell. Being in Irvine with fresh air, and see the sky is better than Being in the main with the only view being naked men and bars....the food is better here, and the time goes by a lot quicker. Also, this is the place that everything comes in if you know what I mean. That makes things easier too if you have people that can keep your books rich so you can get stuff.... read more

Maybe this place is better for inmates, not so sure for detainees, I'm not in this place, but I have someone who is, I'm really not too excited to come and visit just to see how much weight he has lost in the last 2 months, I have posted money on his books on a weekly basis, just so he can eat something a little more civil... The few positives I see here is that I can send books and magazines and the staff over the phone has been very helpful and patient with me, I have come to visit and was treated like an inmate, I do understand certain situations, but not this, I don't feel I should be treated like an inmate or a felon... I'm not sure what to expect when it comes to this or any other prisons, jails...I hope my friend either stays or has to go home soon, better than being locked up for overstaying... read more

I guess I can only review this place based off my opinion as an attorney. Compared to other jails, this place is much more mellow. I see people chilling outside and good inmates get to play with the facilities dogs. Furthermore, the inmates housed here are usually less violent, so the inmates are actually allowed to walk across the lot. Attorneys can come here 24/7, just roll over with your bar card and drivers license. As for normal visitors, the days are Friday through Sunday. However, prepare to wait because they only allow a certain number of visitors at a time. Overall, I can't say that any jail is nice, but compared to the other facilities in the OC, this one is the most laid back. Lawyer out! read more

Some Yelpers reviewed this place merely having visited an inmate. Sorry, but you need to have been incarcerated here to be able to provide a true review. Yes, as others have said if you get arrested this is the place to be. But let's not forget one thing, folks--IT'S STILL JAIL! How can being in jail ever be more than one star? Despite staying in dorms with open front doors that always remain open, having a job to pass the time, and classes/meetings to attend if one is interested, this is still a jail facility. You don't want to be there. read more

Very unfriendly staff, horrible food, extreme lack of courtesy, very poor accommodations, isolated location difficult to find, very low privacy, total disregard for well being. Avoid going here at all costs. Why can't I rate this place in the negatives? read more

Its alright, I was glad I was surrounded by so many beautiful women. THE FEMALE GUARDS ARE HOT AS HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The farm is the shit ...shout out to all the my friends and Mr Hardan , moto play some music and have a drink for me bra I wish I could visit the yard ...to hang out And all the great people that volunteer time to church programs and AA & NA Thx ...you guys gave me different outlook on life...so take it easy there everybody And don't drink and drive ....LATERS read more

I was apprehensive to visit this facility but the guards were great. Very kind and very funny. They certainly make the experience a bit easier on visitors...I hope they do the same for the detainees. read more

I visited a good friend there who was there on immigration violations. It's truly a building of tears as inmates, moms and pops were crying seeing their sons and daughters there. The hardest thing was watching the small children want to hug their daddies or mom's but touching is not allowed. Very painful visit. Plus, my friend who is handicapped and elderly, came with me from many miles away, was refused a visit because 25 years ago he had a problem with a DUI. He was very disappointed not to be able to visit our friend there and said so as he used his walker across the graveled walkway back to the car. Yes, it's a secure jail, but the cold staff made it colder and more painful. It is a Jail and they have to have rules but to deny friends or relatives to visit hurts more. A handshake or hug should be permitted to give at least an indication that one cares about the person there. read more