LA County Jail Photo Rules

LA County Jail Photo Rules

                                                                                                                                                      

The photo guidelines for LA County Jail (Terminal Annex, Twin Towers, and Castaic) are very strict. Below are of the most common violations we see that may cause your order to be placed in "follow-up" status. We are unable to issue a refund for orders that are returned or rejected for guideline violations.

The number 5A white number 5 surrounded by an orange circle over a beige background.

Only 5 photos allowed per inmate

This not only means a limit of five (5) photos per order, but also that the inmate may not have more than five (5) photos at a time. They will have to turn in their first five. Once an order of five (5) photos is sent, you must wait ten (10) days before sending another five. Inmates are not allowed more than five (5) photos per 10-day period.


A photograph of a women in a graduation cap and gown, with white borders showing that the extra space is not allowed.A woman with curly hair in a navy cap and gown holds her diploma in a brown leather case. The photograph has a white bar at the top and bottom that reads "THIS EXTRA SPACE IS NOT ALLOWED" in red letters.

All photos must be 4x6 inch prints

Each photo must take up the entire 4x6 sheet. 3x5 inch photos printed on a 4x6 sheet will be rejected. No extra space is allowed, so be sure to make adjustments to your photos so that they fill the entire 4x6 frame. Polaroids are not allowed.


Photo collageAn exmaple of a photo collage with 8 different pictures of the same woman in different poses.

No photo collages

You cannot put more than one photo on a 4x6 sheet.


Sonogram with identifying information and withoutTwo sonograms, the top with a red X and identifying information circled in red in the corner, the bottom with a green check mark and no identifying information.

No ultrasound pictures with personal information visible

You cannot send pictures of an ultrasound with personal information visible. Personal info is usually located at the top of the ultrasound. You may zoom or crop an ultrasound photo to hide personal info and make it acceptable. 


Drawing of Santa MuerteA black and white graphite pencil drawing depicting Santa Muerte.

No Santa Muerte

You may not send photos, drawings, or depictions of Santa Muerte.


Emoji covering middle finger, photograph with text added to itTwo photographs, both with a red X, the top photo shows a yellow emoji face with its tongue out placed to block a woman showing her middle finger, the second photo shows a woman in a burgundy shirt and black hat with her arms extended. The photo has white text overlaid that says "Miss you so much!"

No altered/censored photos or emojis

You may not use emojis, drawings, text or symbols to cover hand gestures or sexually explicit content. No text on photos is allowed. Emojis in general are not allowed.


Hang giving the peace with with index and middle finger, hand giving a thumbs up signTwo photographs with a red X, the first shows a hand giving a peace sign with index and middle finger, the second shows a hand giving a thumbs up.

No hand gestures of any kind, even “generic”

This includes ANY and all hand gestures, even peace sign, thumbs up, hang loose, or #1. Please do not try to cover hand gestures with emojis, as emojis are not allowed.


A photo of a single manA photograph with a red x on it, showing a man smiling with brown hair and a blue tee shirt standing in front of a building and green trees.

No photos with solo males

Photos showing a single male in the photo are not permitted. Photos can show a couple or a family, but not a single male by himself.


Drivers licenseA Florida Driver's License sample with a red X over it.

No identification cards, drivers licenses, etc.

Photos showing drivers licenses, ID cards, or any materials with identifiable information are not permitted.


Screenshots from InstagramTwo screenshots from Instagram with red Xs over them, the first says Focus on Yourself with orange, green and blue waxy lines behind it, in the second, a women with brown hair has a hand raised and she's wearing an orange tank top. The picture has a light purple filter over it.

No screenshots from social media or filters

Screenshots of content from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. are not allowed. Filtered or altered photos are not allowed.


Revealing clothingTwo photographs with red xs over them, in the first, a woman wears a grey bralette, in the second, a woman with dark brown hair sits on a pink couch wearing a lace bra.

Absolutely no sexually explicit or suggestive photos

Photos showing nudity, partial nudity, undergarments, and cleavage are not allowed.


TattosPhotograph with a red x over it- a man wearing a yellow tank top with full sleeve tattoos crosses his arms.

No gang-related photos

No gang-related photos will be permitted. This includes colors, hang gestures, signs, artwork, and tattoos.


Woman giving baby a bathA woman with curly brown hair gives a baby a bath. A yellow rubber duck is floating in the water.

No undressed or partially dressed children


License plates and street signs.Two photographs with a red x over them. The first is a collection of vintage license plates from different states. The second shows two street signs- the intersection of E. Thomas St. and 30th Ave E against trees and a blue sky.

No license plates, addresses, or street signs

Photos containing any identifiable information such as home addresses, street signs, or license plates are not allowed.


Inmate in cellA man in an orange prison uniform sits on his bed reading a book in his cell.

No photos of inmates


Photos of cashTwo photographs with red xs over them- in the first, a woman in a beige shirt holds cash fanned out in front of her. In the second, a woman in a cap and gown is standing with other students at a graduation ceremony. She is wearing a green and orange lei decorated with dollars that have been folded into flowers.

No photos showing money

Examples include graduation leis, fanning yourself with cash, showing birthday money or checks, etc.



Still have questions? Not sure if your photos follow the guidelines listed above? We encourage you to reach out to our Customer Support Team before placing your order. Click here to contact us. We're here to help!

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