What Kind of Jail Is Holding Them?

“He’s at the city jail” tells you almost nothing. California classifies every local detention facility under Title 15, § 1006, and the class determines how long a person can legally be held there before release or transfer. The difference between a Temporary Holding facility and a Type I facility is the difference between a 24-hour window and a 96-hour one — and that decides how fast you need to move.

The classifications, in the regulator’s own words

Source: the California Board of State and Community Corrections, Local Detention Facility Inspection Reports, and Title 15 § 1006. A “J” suffix on a classification indicates the facility is also approved to hold juveniles. Verified 18 September 2026.

Orange County, facility by facility

Not on the list: Garden Grove and Placentia do not appear among Orange County’s classified local detention facilities. We therefore publish no regulatory holding limit for either, and we would rather say that than invent one.

Los Angeles County — the cities we serve

What to do with this information

1. Find out which facility has them, then look up its class above.
2. Temporary Holding means move now. Twenty-four hours is not much time to confirm a charge, check for holds and arrange a bond — and once the transfer happens the release moves to a county intake centre with a far longer queue.
3. Type I gives you room, but not as much as it sounds. Booking has to finish first, and the clock excludes holidays.
4. Type II means they are already in county custody. The search and the release both happen there.
5. Court Holding is not somewhere to visit. Twelve hours maximum, and only around a court appearance.

Next steps: jail transfers for what happens when the window runs out, the booking process for why nothing starts until booking ends, and find an inmate to locate the person.

Questions we get asked most

What is the difference between a Type I jail and a Temporary Holding facility?

A Type I facility may hold a person for not more than 96 hours, excluding holidays, after booking. A Temporary Holding facility is for 24 hours or less, pending release, transfer or a court appearance.

What is a Type II facility?

A facility used for detention pending arraignment, during trial, and upon a sentence of commitment. These are what people mean by county jails — in Orange County the Intake Release Center, Theo Lacy and Musick; in Los Angeles County the Inmate Reception Center, Twin Towers, Men’s Central and Century Regional.

How long can a city jail hold someone in California?

It depends on the facility’s classification, not on the city. A Type I city jail may hold up to 96 hours excluding holidays; a Temporary Holding facility, 24 hours or less.

Does the classification tell me when my relative will be released?

No. It is the regulatory maximum for that building, not a prediction for an individual. Most people leave well before it, either released or transferred.

Why is a courthouse on the list?

Court Holding facilities are built inside court buildings and confine people solely for a court appearance, for no more than 12 hours.

Related resources

All jails and custody facilities · Orange County jail guide · Los Angeles County jails · Jail transfers · The booking process · How long release takes · Find an inmate