Part of Men's Central Jail downtown could be closed

About 1,800 inmates could be moved from Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles to a newer facility in Lynwood under a proposal by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.

The inmates, including some of the most violent, are currently housed in an area of the jail that was built in 1963 and has been the site of violent clashes between inmates and deputies. Baca is considering closing that section.

Baca spokesman Steve Whitmore said the sheriff plans to discuss the plan with the county Board of Supervisors.

Men's Central Jail has about 4,500 inmates and is believed to be the largest single jail in the world. The Sheriff's Department is under federal investigation for reports of brutality in the jails.

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Photo: Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles has long rows of cells, rather than the circular configuration of the Lynwood facility, where about 1,800 inmates would probably move under the sheriff's plan. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times