California
Guides and facility information for CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) prisons.
California’s prison system is run by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), which operates 32 adult institutions across the state. The CDCR visiting hotline is 1-800-374-8474. Use the guides below for state-specific rules and procedures, or jump to a specific facility.
State guides
Visiting in California (CDCR)
Everything you need to know to get approved, plan your trip, and make the most of your time together.
Mail & Packages in CDCR
Everything you need to know about sending letters, packages, and items to someone in a California prison
Phone & Video Calls in CDCR
How to call or video visit someone in a California prison, including setup, costs, and troubleshooting
Sending Money in CDCR
How trust accounts work, ways to send money, commissary costs, and what your inmate can buy
Medical & Mental Health in CDCR
How healthcare works inside, how to advocate for your inmate, mental health services, and grievance procedures
Transfers & Facility Changes in CDCR
Why transfers happen, how to find your inmate after transfer, visiting approval impacts, and what to expect during the process
Facilities
California Institution for Men
Chino · Mixed (Level I-II)
California Institution for Women
Chino · Mixed
California Men's Colony
San Luis Obispo · Mixed (Level I-III)
California State Prison, Corcoran
Corcoran · Mixed (Level I, III, and IV)
Folsom State Prison
Folsom · Mixed (Level I-III)
Pelican Bay State Prison
Crescent City · Mixed (Level II and IV)
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
San Quentin · Mixed (Level I-III)