Christmas behind bars

As Father Paulino Ramino Juarez shakes an inmate’s hand, foreground, Archbishop Jose Gomez visits with other men in their cells. He earlier said Mass in the Men’s Central Jail. Inmates were given a holiday turkey dinner Friday and cookies on Sunday.  (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)

Nathan Rivera, 5, waits with his mother, Kimiko Hanvey, to visit his father on Christmas morning at the jail. More than 1,100 visitors were allowed into the jail on Christmas, about one-third more than on a typical day, and some of them got into line outside before 6 a.m.  (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)

Inmates at Men’s Central Jail pray during Christmas Mass.  (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)

Catholic Archbishop Jose Gomez celebrates Mass for inmates, some of whom receive Communion, on Christmas morning.  (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)