Weapon Search Sparks Lengthy Lockdown at Men’s Central Jail : Inmates: Nation’s largest jail bans exercise and guests. Visitors who weren’t told express anger.

Inmates at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles were not permitted to leave their cells Thursday and Friday, while sheriff’s deputies conducted an intensive search for a gun that they believe was smuggled into the facility.

The unusually lengthy lockdown and search, which authorities said may continue through today, meant the more than 7,000 prisoners at the nation’s largest jail could not exercise, make phone calls, eat together in the dining room, visit the library, or receive any guests other than their lawyers.

Although lockdowns do occur from time to time--often when authorities fear an inmate has escaped--they usually last no longer than a few hours, according to Asst. Sheriff Richard Foreman, who oversees the Los Angeles County jail system.

But Foreman said the lockdown was prompted by a tip Thursday from what deputies believe to be a reliable source.

“We are taking this very seriously,” he said. “We receive information all the time from a variety of sources about things that are occurring in the jail--everything from attempted escapes to somebody’s bringing contraband in and somebody’s bringing weapons in. Those very rarely result in a lockdown.”

Foreman would not identify the type of gun or the source of Thursday’s tip. However, he said the report was linked to two earlier tips about contraband in the jail, both of which turned out to be correct.

Last Saturday, deputies were told they would find narcotics and cash in a certain cell module inside the jail. That day, they confiscated a small amount of marijuana and several hundred dollars--a violation of a rule that permits no prisoner to have more than $40 at any one time.

And on Wednesday, deputies were told that a shank--a handmade knife--had been brought into the jail. They found the shank in a cell near where the marijuana and money were discovered, Foreman said.

When the lockdown began Thursday morning, deputies shut the jail to all visitors, including lawyers. Although attorneys were permitted in on Friday, relatives and friends of inmates--who normally queue up hours in advance of the noon opening--were greeted with a sign that said, “No Visitors Today.”

Many who had taken bus rides or traveled long distances were frustrated, especially those who had come Thursday.

“I had to drive all the way from the Valley out here,” said Heather Kirk of West Hills, who was hoping to deliver $20 to her fiance. “I was supposed to bring him money so he could have cigarettes.”

Complained Delonda Jackson, who arrived with her 2-year-old son: “I came all the way down here from Whittier. Ooooh, I swear I am burning mad!”

The Central Jail, at 444 Bauchet St., primarily houses men who are awaiting trial. During the lockdown, inmates continued to attend their court appearances--after being searched--and authorities said some were released on bail or by court orders.

Foreman said deputies intend to continue combing “specific areas” within the jail but may have to end the lockdown and resort to other methods of security--such as increasing the number of deputies at the jail and conducting random inmate searches--if they do not find the weapon soon. He said prisoners are being patient, and predicted the lockdown would not last past Sunday.

“It is inevitable that we will have to get back to business as usual,” he said. “We can’t disrupt the jail process for overly long.”

Times staff writer Victor Merina contributed to this story.