This is not the usual place you see on Yelp, but I want to share my experience at Pitchess Detention Center for people who may be visiting loved ones. You need to register in advance and show up early. I was there at least an hour early and that helped. There is free parking and I walked up to the line from there. When I arrived I had a hat, wallet, keys, phone, and a Bible I wanted to give away. An officer politely told me that you cannot bring any of that in. No keys, no phone, no Bible, nothing extra. You lock things up, then go through the line, and take a bus to the area where your visit will be. The officers I dealt with were kind and professional. They explained the rules and kept things moving. They say the visits are about 30 minutes, but I was given more time than that, which I appreciated. You do need to understand where you are and follow the rules. Within that reality, my experience with the staff was respectful. I do wish there was a way to bring in a Bible but I understand they have strict policies. so three and a half stars, which rounds up to 4 on here, based on how I was treated. read more

Pitchess Detention Center - Public Services & Government Near Me - Castaic, California

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Just because people are incarcerated doesn't mean their Mail should be treated as something unimportant. It is very unprofessional and inconsiderate to not seal an inmates outgoing mail. I was to receive an important letter giving me permission to pick up my husband's belongings, but some lazy ding dong didn't close the card, not properly but rather NOT AT ALL! read more

Pitchess Detention Center - NO ATTEMPT TO PROPERLY CLOSE MY HUSBAND'S CARD! - Public Services & Government Near Me - Castaic, California

Just a quick note about the dress code: no strapless or spaghetti strap tops, sheer fabrics, or any clothing that reveals breasts. Shorts, skirts, and dresses should be at least mid-thigh in length. Please avoid any gang-related attire. Also, remember to wear a shirt underneath your sweater or zip-up jacket. Came back recently and it's busier than it was the last time. So expect to wait in long lines and for the bus/shuttle. read more

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The staff at Pitchess Detention Center are rude, unprofessional, and retaliatory. Officer Solorio treated me with blatant disrespect while Sgt. Kabanian stood by and did nothing. Families -- including children -- are humiliated, delayed, and denied basic compassion. This facility desperately needs accountability and change. This is one of the worst facilities I've ever dealt with. The staff treat people with complete disregard and disrespect. One staff member in particular, Officer Solorio, was extremely rude, uncaring, and unprofessional. Sgt. Kabanian, who was on duty in main visiting, witnessed her behavior and did nothing, showing no respect toward visitors. The staff seem to pick and choose who they allow in, creating an environment that feels discriminatory and unfair. The rules are also unreasonable -- visitors are forced to overdress in extreme heat while being denied water, snacks, lipstick, or even chapstick. These restrictions are not only uncomfortable but also inhumane. What's worse is how they treat children and how they retaliate if visitors ask questions or file complaints with the ACLU or Sheriff's Department. Retaliation includes purposely delaying visits for hours and speaking to people in a dismissive, discriminatory way. Families should never be degraded simply for wanting to see their loved ones. Having a badge does not give anyone the right to mistreat the public. I would expect staff, especially those in leadership positions like Sgt. Kabanian, to act with kindness, fairness, and integrity. It would be better to have sergeants who truly care about visitors and treat people with basic respect. If there are offenders, do your job, but do not punish innocent families. Visiting is already difficult enough without being humiliated and disrespected. If you experience something similar, I strongly recommend documenting everything: staff names, badge numbers, dates, and times. Complaints should be reported to the ACLU, the Sheriff's Department, and higher authorities. It is time for accountability and change in this facility. Shame on Officer Solorio and the rest of the staff for how they conduct themselves. No one deserves to be treated this way. NOTE: I cannot even find a picture of how horrible the facility looks. Broken water pipes. Unclean facility full of germs. Bathrooms are very disturbing. Caution read more

Pitchess Detention Center - This is a picture from google. It is not even close to this image. It is ridiculously dirty. Please be aware. - Public Services & Government Near Me - Castaic, California

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Meh...had to show my butthole to check in. I guess ID isn't enough, weird right? Also, check out times are wayyyy too long. Do not recommend even if trip is comp'd by LA County. read more

awesome parking lot and a scenic smoking area , would definatley come back! ,deez nutz read more

I was held in north for a whole year. Shit is ass and for at least 2 days the AC didn't work and it was like below 50 degrees and they still kept us in there like that. I bet no one ever said shit about it but me right now. read more

This is the worst hotel I've ever been to. The room service sucks, the staff barely speaks English, and management is non responsive to questions and concerns of their guests. Whoever is running their restaurant needs to be fired because I specifically asked for a reuben sandwich and they brought me peanut butter and jelly instead. Zero stars I would not recommend. read more

***VISITOR REVIEW*** I know there's probably a stigma to writing such a positive review for what most would consider a negative institution. Unfortunately, when a loved one is here we should accept and make the best of it. Visiting was the smoothest process, and I'm here to share some facts, tips, pros and cons. FACTS: -Must register in the Inmate Visitation System before making appointments (easy and quick online process) Check out: https://visit.lasd.org/app -Visits are Saturday & Sunday ONLY between 8:00 am - 2:00 pm -Visits are 30 min per day -MUST check in ONE HOUR BEFORE visit -FREE parking (and plenty of it) -NO CELL PHONES (see visitors guideline link below) -MUST have valid ID -MUST KNOW inmates BOOKING NUMBER! -Inmate will be called by first and last name, so listen carefully. -Face to Face = behind glass window TIPS: -GO PREPARED!! Check out information and visiting guidelines at: http://shq.lasdnews.net/content/uoa/AS1/PDC-allCustody-visitingInfo1.pdf -Go early because the afternoon visits get crowded and longer wait times (people like to sleep in on the weekend...not me) -I suggest small purse (females) with pen, paper, ID, inmates booking number, cash (for vending machines), wet wipes/tissue (to clean phone). Keep it as minimal as you can. -Bring a book! Beats people watching and waiting (unless that's your thing). -Wear a watch if you want to stay aware of time, but be warned that everyone will probably ask you for the time. -First time visitors: make a friend who has been there before and ask questions. Most people are helpful and can ease any first time anxieties. -Have your visitors pass filled out before getting to the window AND grab a bunch to take home if you know you'll be visiting a lot. -Dress appropriately! (Bring a sweater just in case you must cover up...plus the waiting area is cold) PROS: -I am usually there less than 2 hours. I make my appointment for 10:00 am, I show up at 8:00 am visit by 9:15 am and I'm back at my car by 10:00 am. SMOOTH! (my experience anyway) -Lines move relatively fast and the process is structured. -Bathrooms and vending machines are nearby. -Buses seem to come fast to ride you back down the hill. CONS: -Bus can get crowded and you might have to stand and hold on going up the hill. -Apparently mountain lions roam the area (you will see signs). -The visitors waiting area is a long hallway/tunnel and is very cold. -30 minutes flies by so quick!!! I hope this information is helpful! Make the BEST of your visit, specially the 30 minutes spent with your loved one. read more

Pitchess Detention Center - Fill this out before getting to the window! - Public Services & Government Near Me - Castaic, California

I never thought I would ever find myself writing a review for a jail but it happens. I'm not judgemental, we all make mistakes and hopefully my friend who is in here, will be rehabilitated. He is of good character who like all of us, made a bad choice in life. Now for my review of the facility itself. Prior to coming, I had been told it was gonna be a terrible experience, that the guards were complete jerk offs, etc. I can honestly say, I didn't experience any of that except with a female officer which was in booth 5 today around 10:15 am. She was extremely rude to us, whatever..didn't bother us one bit. We arrived at 945, you park your car in the lot, walk to the check in, they check your stuff then you go to one of the lines, take a photo then head to another area and wait for the bus. They check your ids there as well. The bus arrived within 10 minutes, then it takes you to another area where you provide the paperwork and your ids again and give the name of the inmate you are visiting from there you wait about half hour then you get called and you can see your friend/relative, etc. We visited for half hour and that was that. All in all, the process was anout 3 hours, not at all what everyone said it would be like. The guards were cool, except for female officer in booth 5, completely rude and uncalled for. So all in all, it wasn't too bad. I forgot to mention, you need to pre-register online prior to your visit here. read more

I couldn't make an appointment because the system was down. The page stated that because of that, you can do a walk in visit. I got up at 5am (I had to pick up other people) and I was hoping to get there early enough to not wait in the freezing cold too long. ( Google said they opened at 9am and the website said 8am.) When I got there, I was so confused and kept looking all around and completely missed the signs for visitor parking. I got to the little house/security/private area and asked what time they opened. The guy looked at me like I was a peasant then said, "You OBVIOUSLY missed the visitor parking signs." I felt like saying," No shit, Sherlock." Instead I said. "Yes, yes I did" I asked again what time they open. He told me that people wait in line. Okaaaay great. I still don't know what time this place opens. I asked again. He told me to watch for the people lining up. He then, very matter of factly and like he was the King of the land and I was intruder, told me how to get back to the visitor parking then said, "Make sure to not miss the signs next time." Oh because I meant to miss the signs THIS time???. Jerk! I parked and saw people in line. I still had no idea what time they opened. We walked to the line at 6:45am. It was freezing. (The roof thing, protecting us from the weather, was leaking on me. It was pretty gross.) The line started moving at 8am, we got through security and went to check in, we were told that they weren't allowing walk ins. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUDGE?!!! We told them the system was down and couldn't make appointments. She told us, "Well, NOW it isn't. So, NO walk ins". I cannot tell you how furious I was!!! Not only because I couldn't visit my son, or because I got up at 5am, or because I waited in the line for an hour and 15 minutes in the cold, but because the website specifically stated that they would continue to honor walk ins for this weekend (Dec 14 and 15) due to the system being down. I was also furious that she works there and either doesn't know the procedures or was just being an evil witch. I'm going to go ahead and assume it was the ladder. In a bit you will know why. We went to the car and decided to see what the chances were at getting a visit today. Only one person was able to. We went for breakfast and came back. When she got back from her visit, she told me that a couple in front of her (during check in) were there as walk ins and they were allowed in!!! I get it. They look at us like the family/friends of low life pieces of crap that are locked up. They probably assume we are less than also. It's NOT ok. You have NO idea what type of people we are. You have NO idea what are the circumstances of that inmate being there. Believe it or not, our judicial system isn't always fair. I have noticed that on a daily basis in the last few years. It really doesn't matter what a well behaved exemplary citizen you have been your entire life. I'm starting to get sick of the officers of the law feeling like they are holier than thou. Their attitudes of greatness are ridiculous and over the top. We all know you guys are a joke and break the law. Only difference is that you guys have ways of getting away with it. I'm sure there are the very few, and in between, that are wonderful officers that go above and beyond the call of duty, but some of you really need to realize you are not Gods. I also hate that I follow their "strict rules". I dont ever want to have to go back to my car to leave anything that I couldn't have on me. So I choose to just take my ID and my keys. There are signs all over the place that say that no cell phones are allowed and that you can't dress like a hooker. Well, guess what? People take their phones in AND dress like they just got off of work at the strip club! ‍ read more

Pitchess Detention Center - Public Services & Government Near Me - Castaic, California

What kind of review do you write for a confinement facility? ;0) Hmmmm...well, I'll do my best to give the low-down on my experience with visiting friends who were unfortunate enough to be "stuck" there for a minute. For those of you going to visit a loved one, here are the basic things to follow to ensure shortened wait times and to eliminate being turned away from visitation. There are 6 Phases to the whole process. But first, here are 3 Things to Minimize Hassle: 1. Sign-up for visitation and setup a time online prior to going. This can be done by going to the Pitchess Detention Centers website and following the links to "Setup a Visit." BE SURE to PRINT OUT your Confirmation or you WILL NOT be permitted to stand in the line for appointments. Instead, you will have to stand in line for "Walk-Ins" and you will be waiting at least 2 or 3 hours just to get through Phase 1 of your Visit. Trust me on this one! I did it once and learned my lesson. 2. Do NOT bring any electronic devices. You will be sent back to your vehicle to put your cell phone, iPad, etc. away before being allowed to enter. Of course, there's the common sense stuff which aren't allowed, so leave your SKs, pistols and switch blades at home when visiting! ;0) If you can go in with no purse or fanny pack, that's the best way to move through the line without issues. No cigarettes, lighters or mirrors are permitted either. So, try to just go through with a minimum amount of "Stuff." 3. Bring an ID that is VALID. Your license or Passport is sufficient. If you don't have an ID, you will NOT be permitted to enter. The Phases are as follows: PHASE 1: Stand in line outside the Pitchess Detention Facility. There are two lines, one for appointments and one for walk-ins. *Wait time for Phase 1 is 1 to 2 hours if you have an appointment because you are required to show up one hour prior to your visit time. **Your wait time varies if you are a Walk-In--anywhere from 2 to 5 hours..just to get thru Phase 1. PHASE 2: Initial Entry. You will go through a metal detector and your bags will be sifted through if something looks suspicious. You need to present your Appointment Confirmation Form and ID to the officers. After initial entry you immediately go to a window to get your Bus Number and Print Out to Visit the inmate. You will need your Appointment Confirmation Form, your ID and another form called the Inmate Visitation Form--they have pamphlets of them in designated areas upon entry. I grabbed about 10 so I could fill them out at home before heading out to visit. *The wait time for this Phase can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. PHASE 3: After you receive your print-out you walk thru to the Bus Terminal where you go to the Bus Number written on your Print Out. The officer reviews your paperwork with your ID and then permits you to load on the bus. After your Bus is full, they will transport you over to the visitor station. *The wait and transport time is between 10 and 20 minutes. PHASE 4: Once you get off the bus, another group of Officers ask you for your print-out and ID and they send you to another waiting area while they retrieve the inmate. *The wait time is anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. PHASE 5: The Officer calls the inmates last name and gives you a form with your visitor window number written on top. They send you down to the visitor windows where you hunt for your number and window. You sit and wait for the inmate to come in. Your visit is for 30 minutes. *The whole time for this phase is about 40 minutes--this includes your 30 minute visit. PHASE 6: You stand in line for the bus to transport you back to the Entry Area. You depart. *The wait and transport time is between 10 to 20 minutes. That's it!!!! Simple, right?! It's a long tedious process, but it's just the nature of the beast folks! *Suggestions-- Bring antiseptic wipes for the phone. There are a lot of people with colds that touch those phones...cough on them and all. So, it's a precautionary measure to prevent yourself from catching a cold or whatever. **Ladies-- Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes on cold days. Trust me, if your man has been looking at hairy men all week--seeing you at your "worst" will be a breath of fresh air. Those 5 inch stilettos can wait 'til he gets out. ;0) Reviewed by Yvette Leilani Brownstone Ventura CA read more

Fun Fact: Pitchess is the oldest operating jail in Los Angeles County. If you are ever in Castaic, perhaps visiting me at Mike's Diner, and you hear a annoying siren that goes on and on, don't be too worried, it's not your car alarm. The siren just alerts the community that an inmate from Pitchess has escaped and is most likely roaming the general area. You should lock your doors and just carry on. Oh, and there will be signs along the 5 to remind you to not pick-up any hitchhikers as you normally might. I give Pitchess 4 stars for alerting the community but docked a star for letting someone escape in the first place. read more

As an attorney, I have the opportunity to visit clients (or potential clients in some cases) here, and to interact with the staff that works here. This facility is huge, and is way out near Magic Mountain. Even just driving to, or taking the bus to, various parts of this facility, can take a while to cover the driving distances involved. Because of the size of even the individual units, there is almost often a lot of waiting. There will be waiting, period. Bring a book, make sure you follow the rules, and use the suggestions of the jail, and others, here and elsewhere, to make sure you don't have contraband, weapons, have everything possible prearranged, and prepare to be comfortable and wait. read more

I am a Traveling Notary from Sealsonwheelsnotary.com. I visit this place quiet often. The officers are always nice and polite. If you come here for a business visit, you don't need an appoitment. The place is always nice and clean AND I can't tell you enough how wonderful all the officers are. Keep up the excellente work. read more

Well I can say the taco truck parked outside of visiting their soft tacos are worth eating and they are huge ! Reasonably prised. But I doubt anybody goes there for the tacos right? read more

It's jail. It's not a place to go for fun. But the sheriff's were really nice and friendly.