# Metropolitan Detention Center: Overview and Operations The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Los Angeles is a United States federal detention facility that plays a critical role in the federal criminal justice system.[2] Opened in 1988, the facility was designed to address a significant logistical challenge in the judicial process.[7] Prior to its establishment, prisoners awaiting trial had to be transported repeatedly to Federal Court, a time-consuming and resource-intensive practice. The opening of MDC Los Angeles eliminated this burden by housing defendants whose trials are pending in close proximity to the courthouse.[7] ## Facility Operations and Capacity MDC Los Angeles currently houses approximately 1,000 inmates who are either in pretrial status, holdover status, or designated status.[3][4] The facility operates as a self-contained institution with 9 general population housing units, each functioning as a separate living area that includes housing sections and administrative offices.[3] The center accommodates both male and female inmates and serves inmates serving short sentences in addition to those awaiting trial.[2] ## Core Functions and Services Beyond detention, MDC Los Angeles provides comprehensive services including commissary operations, legal resource access, and inmate support programs.[5] The facility maintains evidence storage for seized contraband and weapons.[1] Staff includes case managers who handle classification, release planning, and parole reports, working as liaisons between inmates, outside agencies, and courts.[3] ## Current Status Today, MDC Los Angeles remains an essential component of the federal prison system, managed by the Bureau of Prisons. The facility continues to serve its primary mission of holding federal defendants during court proceedings while providing inmates with educational programs, commissary services, and legal assistance. Its strategic location near Federal Court in Los Angeles maintains operational efficiency in the judicial process.