Empty jails

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Stephen B. Johnson in the outdoor yard at the North Facility of the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County sheriff’s Custody Assistant Linda Danheiser, right, uses keys to open doors at the North Facility of the Pitchess jail in Castaic. Danheiser has worked at the same facility since it opened in 1987. L.A. County jails have seen the biggest drop in population in the nation due to budget cuts and early releases.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The South Facility of the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, which continues to house inmates. L.A. County jails have seen the biggest drop in population in the nation due to budget cuts and early releases.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

One of two inmates housed at the North Facility of the Pitchess jail in Castaic. L.A. County jails have seen the biggest drop in population in the nation due to budget cuts and early releases. The Sheriff’s Department has cut the inmate count down to the bare minimum needed to keep the Pitchess facility from falling into disrepair  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County sheriff’s Custody Assistant Linda Danheiser in the empty outdoor yard at the North Facility of the Pitchess jail in Castaic. Danheiser has worked at the same facility since it opened in 1987. Facilities like this one might once again be bustling as the state mulls moving inmates from its overcrowded prisons out to county jails,  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The inmate visitation area, empty since March 2010, at the North Facility of the Pitchess jail in Castaic.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Handcuffs in the North Facility of the Pitchess jail in Castaic.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Two inmates are housed at the North Facility of the Pitchess jail in Castaic with Los Angeles County sheriff’s Cmdr. Stephen B. Johnson and Custody Assistant Linda Danheiser. Jail time feels a lot like summer camp for the fortunate few at the near-abandoned lockup.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Stephen B. Johnson, left, and Deputy Vince Grant walk to the North Facility of the Pitchess jail in Castaic. Closing the jail could also turn minor problems into major headaches. A small leak gone unnoticed for too long, for example, could turn into a collapsed roof.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)