Closing Men’s central jail

Los Angeles has the largest and most expensive jail system in the nation, and Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) houses the County’s highest inmate population.

MCJ is notorious for its harsh, degrading conditions, systematic abuse, and its connection to hundreds of in-custody deaths.

The movement to close MCJ exemplifies the urgent need to defund and shut down carceral facilities, and invest in community-based alternatives to incarceration such as housing, healthcare, and substance use treatment programs. (Source: Million Dollar Hoods, LASD)

DPN co-leads the JusticeLA coalition, a powerful alliance of grassroots organizations, advocates, and directly impacted residents with the primary goal of closing MCJ. JusticeLA has not only stopped a 3.5 billion dollar jail expansion plan signed by the County, but led the Board of Supervisors to vote unanimously to close MCJ in 2020.

Despite that vote, the jail remains open, and over 260 people have died in LASD custody since that vote.

Carceral systems disproportionately affect society’s most vulnerable: Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities, and those navigating financial or mental health struggles. Dignity and Power Now is actively challenging this status quo through organizing, advocacy, and education.

We aim to stop the expansion of carceral systems and redirect the billions spent on jails and policing toward care-centered solutions that actually keep communities safe.
90%
of your community agrees that we should close MCJ without a replacement jail.
It costs 2x more to incarcerate a person with mental health needs than to provide them community-based housing and treatment.
  • $538 a day for jail
  • $207 a day for treat + housing
40%
of those incarcerated have mental health needs that can be treated safely in the community.

HISTORY OF THE FIGHT

1975
First filed in 1975 by the ACLU SoCal, Rutherford v. Pitchess, also known simply as Rutherford, exposed horrific conditions at the Los Angeles County Jails so dire that they violated the constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment.

Conditions in MCJ’s Inmate Reception Center remained so dire that in June 2023, Judge Pregerson required that the County create at least 1,925 new community beds as alternatives to jailing people with mental illnesses.
2006
A county-commissioned seismic report on Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles found that the structure was at high risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake due to outdated construction methods and inadequate reinforcement.
2017
Anchored by DPN, JusticeLA (JLA) coalition is formed to end mass incarceration and challenge jail expansion in LA County—the largest jail system in the world.

Born from the grassroots advocacy of directly impacted families, JusticeLA brings together community organizations, policy advocates, and local leaders to fight for decarceration, racial justice, and investment in community-based alternatives to incarceration.
2017
After community pressure, LA County formed the Alternatives to Incarceration and Men’s Central Jail Closure workgroups to plan Care First alternatives to incarceration.
2019
We blocked a 3.5 billion dollar jail expansion contract signed by the County—proof that organizing works.
2019
After powerful community organizing, the County was pushed to create the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Workgroup.

This group of county officials and community leaders developed 114 recommendations to guide L.A. toward a care-based system rooted in racial justice.

The Board of Supervisors adopted 26 core recommendations and five overarching principles that prioritize prevention, diversion, supportive housing, and reentry services.
2020
On July 7, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to close Men's Central Jail within a year.
2021
On March 30th, the MCJ Closure Workgroup collaborated with impacted community members, data experts, and service providers alike—and published the Men’s Central Jail Closure Report.

DPN helped develop the community-informed roadmap for decarceration and plan to close MCJ in 18-24 months. The report outlines actionable strategies for safely reducing the jail population, investing in alternatives to incarceration, and ensuring MCJ can be closed without building another jail in its place.

It’s not just a belief—it’s a detailed plan grounded in data, lived experience, and public health priorities.
June 2021
In response to the Men’s Central Jail Closure Report, the county created the Jail Closure Implementation Team (JCIT) to implement the plan outlined in the report.
March 2022
JusticeLA helped develop the ATI Report Card to assess where the County is falling short.

Despite having the roadmap, resources, and public support, the County has yet to fully implement the vision—leaving too many people trapped in a failing facility and system. Read the full ATI Report Card here.
2024
JusticeLA sent a letter to the Board about their lack of MCJ closure progress, transparency, accountability, and the dissolution of JCIT without notice to the Board or to the public.

Staff were hired for the Jail Closure Implementation Team that fall.
Dignity & Power Now Meeting
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now
Dignity & Power Now Meeting
Dignity & Power Now Meeting
Dignity & Power Now Meeting
Dignity & Power Now Meeting
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now
Dignity & Power Now Meeting
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now
Closing Man's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now

WHERE WE ARE NOW

In 2017, we proved that grassroots organizing works by blocking a $3.5 billion jail expansion plan.

JusticeLA’s ongoing efforts include community mobilizations, policy interventions, and campaigns to hold county officials accountable.

We are not just opposing harmful systems—we are building momentum for a future where care, housing, and health replace cages.

Closing MCJ without a replacement jail isn’t just about divesting from incarceration, it's about investing in community care.

We continue to advocate for implementing the recommendations of the ATI and MCJ closure reports. One of the most important requirements is bringing online 10,000 community treatment beds.

Every year, we work to make sure that the county budget reflects the Board of Supervisors promises, and try to limit the always increasing law enforcement budget.
We continue to prioritize advocacy through lived-experience, and work with mothers and impacted family members to raise awareness about the violence of MCJ through their stories and leadership.

WHERE WE ARE NOW

In 2017, we proved that grassroots organizing works by blocking a $3.5 billion jail expansion plan.

JusticeLA’s ongoing efforts include community mobilizations, policy interventions, and campaigns to hold county officials accountable.

We’re not just opposing harmful systems—we’re building momentum for a future where care, housing, and health replace cages.

Closing MCJ without a replacement jail isn’t just about divesting from incarceration, it's about investing in community care

We continue to advocate for implementing the recommendations of the ATI and MCJ closure reports. One of the most important requirements is bringing online 10,000 community treatment beds.

Every year we work to make sure that the county budget reflects the Board of Supervisors promises, and try to limit the always increasing law enforcement budget.
We continue to prioritize advocacy through lived-experience, and work with mothers and impacted family members to raise awareness about the violence of MCJ through their stories and leadership.
Stories
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Impact
Dignity and Power Now Terrence Keel

Hear from experts whose research powerfully shows the darkness of carceral systems and demands immediate action alongside us.

Terence Keel

“Our report shows that Los Angeles County Jails are some of the most lethal in the nation. There were 38 deaths inside the County Jail in 2009, one of the highest years on record before the COVID19 pandemic.

This is an average of two deaths a month. Most of these deaths involved Black and Latino men and the majority happened before standing trial. This is unacceptable. No one should die while in jail. Each day that Men’s Central Jail remains open is a day that someone is likely to die.”

Director for Young Women’s Free Center and formerly incarcerated pretrial speaking in CFC mini documentary Probation-Led Pretrial is Mass Incarceration

Closing Men's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now

It’s Time to Close Men’s Central Jail—For Good.

We already have the plan, the research, and the community support to close MCJ and invest in real alternatives like mental health care, housing, and reentry services. Now, we need people power!

Join DPN and the JusticeLA coalition in demanding the County act with urgency. Our communities deserve care—not cages.

Take action now

Fund the Fight to close MCJ

DPN has been fighting to close Men’s Central Jail and build a care-first future for LA County.

This work takes time, resources, and people power—and we can’t do it without you.

Your contribution directly supports grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and community-driven solutions that prioritize healing over punishment. Help us hold the County accountable to their promises and create real safety for our communities.

Donate today
Closing Men's Central Jail - Dignity & Power Now

In 2024, DPN partnered with California Black Power Network, Essie Justice Group, JusticeLA, and Dignity and Power In Action and:

  • Knocked on over 8,700 doors.
  • Had over 2,138 conversations.
  • Collected 1,213 pledge cards from residents stating that they want MCJ closed WITHOUT a replacement, and 10,000 community treatment beds.

TOGETHER, The JusticeLA Coalition has:

  • Built a text action list of 1,000 engaged subscribers.
  • Submitted thousands of letters to the BOS.
  • In the summer of 2021, we mobilized 17,000 members of our community, and the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to close Men’s Central Jail.
  • Coordinated hundreds of public comments at county boards.

Campaigns Rooted in policy & systems change

Our people-powered advocacy fights for abolition and liberation by promoting justice, healing, and investing in community care instead of cages.