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The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is California’s state prison system. The goal of the CDCR is to increase public safety by incarcerating offenders, supervising them while they are on parole, and reduce recidivism rates through effective rehabilitation programming. Ralph Diaz is the Secretary of the CDCR.
The CDCR is the nation’s third-largest law enforcement agency, behind only the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the New York City Police Department.
Inmates at the CDCR are able, but not required to, attend religious programming. The prison will make reasonable accommodations for these religious services. Participation may include: regular religious services, special religious services, religious observances (holidays), religious education, interfaith services, religious literature distribution, meditation services, outside religious group participation, self-study religious courses, service projects, speech forums, religious interest groups, religious organizations, and participation in community betterment programs. In addition, some inmates may be able to wear religious artifacts or jewelry, specifically Native American religious/ ceremonial items like headbands, medicine bags, wristbands, feathers, and chokers.
1515 S St. #101N
Sacramento, CA 95811
916-324-7308
Contacting the general information number can get you in contact with the department you are seeking. To simplify the process, we are including some of the most frequently searched numbers for the CDCR:
The first state prison in California opened in 1851. It was actually a prison ship, named The Waban, which was anchored in San Francisco Bay. This prison ship housed the inmates that built San Quentin. The prison system began growing around that time, and in 1912 the central prison system developed. It was originally called the California State Detentions Bureau. In 1951, it was renamed the California Department of Corrections. In 2004, it was renamed the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as part of a larger reorganization process.
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 is a nationwide law that is aimed at combatting sexual assault and abuse in penal institutions. The CDCR has the goal of ending sexual violence in prison and has taken a zero-tolerance approach in line with the core goals of PREA.
To report a sexual assault under PREA, you can contact the facility directly; all CDCR facilities have designated PREA reporters. You can also contact the regional Internal Affairs office for the prison in question.
Northern Region
PO Box 3009
Sacramento, CA 95812
916-464-3805
Central Region
5016 California Avenue, Suite 210
Bakersfield, CA 93309
661-335-7338
Southern Region
9035 Haven Avenue Suite 105
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
909-466-1052
The Office of the Inspector General also has a PREA Ombudsperson, who can be reached at:
1011 Old Placerville Road, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95827
When reporting PREA violations, the more information, the better. If possible, please be able to provide: the victim’s name and CDCR number, the perpetrator’s name and CDCR number, the facility where the incident occurred, when and where the incident occurred, a description of the incident, and the reporter’s name, contact information, and relationship to the victim.
CDCR Institutions
As with other prison systems, the CDCR has a way to classify inmates after they enter the prison system. Inmates initially go to a prison’s Reception Center, where the inmate undergoes an extensive reception and classification process. Depending on the inmate’s history, this process can take up to 120 days.
Factors that the CDCR considers when determining a classification level include the inmate’s criminal history, gang involvement, the inmate’s rehabilitation needs, and where an inmate’s family is located.
While in Reception, an inmate’s ability to communicate with people outside of the CDCR system is significantly limited. Instead of daily access to phones, inmates are allotted one phone call the first week and then monthly phone calls after that. They may also receive writing supplies in the mail, as well as other correspondence. Inmates in Reception may receive approved visitors, but visitation is by appointment only.
Inmates are classified according to their security level scores. Inmates who score between 0 and 18 are placed in Level I facilities; inmates who score between 19 and 35 are placed in Level II facilities; inmates who score between 36 and 59 are placed in Level III facilities; and inmates who score 60 or above are placed in Level IV facilities. Level I facilities include camps and prison facilities. They are mostly dormitory style and have low security fences. Level II facilities are also open dormitories, but they have a secure perimeters and may have armed guards. Level III facilities usually have cells, with secure perimeters, and armed guards. Level IV facilities have housing units and cell block housing, cells are not adjacent to exterior walls, and there are armed guards both inside and outside of the facility.
In addition to security classification levels, inmates are also subjected to privilege levels. Group A inmates qualify for work and training programs or who are partially disabled; Group B have part-time work or training programs or involuntary assignments; Group C are general population inmates who refuse to perform in work or training programs; Group D are inmates in special housing units. Group UP inmates are inmates at the reception center who are being processed.
#1 Kings Way, Avenal, CA 93204
(559) 386-0587
California City Correctional Facility (CAC)
22844 Virginia Blvd.
California City, CA 93505
(760)246-7600
California Correctional Center (CCC)
711-045 Center Rd.
Susanville, CA 96127-0790
(530) 257-2181
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
24900 Highway 202
Tehachapi, CA 93561
(661) 822-4402
California Health Care Facility (CHCF), Stockton
California Health Care Facility
7707 Austin Road
Stockton, CA 95215
(209) 467-2500
California Institution for Men (CIM)
14901 Central Avenue
Chino, CA 91710
(909) 597-1821
California Institution for Women (CIW)
16756 Chino-Corona Road
Corona, CA 92880
(909) 597-1771
Highway 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93409
(805) 547-7900
California Medical Facility (CMF)
1600 California Dr.
Vacaville, CA 95696
(707) 448-6841
California Rehabilitation Center (CRC)
5th Street & Western
Norco, CA 92860
(951) 737-2683
California State Prison, Corcoran (COR)
4001 King Avenue
Corcoran, CA 93212
(559) 992-8800
California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC)
44750 60th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93536-7620
(661) 729-2000
California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC)
100 Prison Road
Represa, CA 95671
(916) 985-8610
California State Prison, Solano (SOL)
2100 Peabody Road
Vacaville, CA 95696
(707) 451-0182
California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran (SATF-CSP, Corcoran)
900 Quebec Avenue
Corcoran, CA 93212
(559) 992-7100
7018 Blair Road
Calipatria, CA 92233
(760) 348-7000
California State Prison, Centinela (CEN)
2302 Brown Road
Imperial, CA 92251
(760) 337-7900
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF)
23370 Road 22
Chowchilla, CA 93610
(559) 665-5531
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP)
19025 Wiley’s Well Rd.
Blythe, CA 92225
(760) 922-5300
Correctional Training Facility (CTF)
Highway 101 North *
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-3951
Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI)
23500 Kasson Road
Tracy, CA 95376
(209) 835-4141
300 Prison Road
Represa, CA 95671
(916) 985-2561
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
475-750 Rice Canyon Rd.
Susanville, CA 96127
(530) 251-510
19005 Wiley’s Well Road
Blythe, CA 92225
(760) 921-3000
Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP)
3000 West Cecil Avenue
Delano, CA 93216-6000
(661) 721-6300
Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP)
4001 Highway 104
Ione, CA 95640
(209) 274-4911
North Kern State Prison (NKSP)
2737 West Cecil Avenue
Delano, CA 93215
(661) 721-2345 (General)
Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)
5905 Lake Earl Drive
Crescent City, CA 95531
(707) 465-1000
Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP)
24863 West Jayne Avenue
Coalinga, CA 93210
(559) 935-4900
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
480 Alta Road San Diego, CA 92179
(619) 661-6500
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP)
31625 Highway 101
Soledad, CA 93960
(831) 678-5500
San Quentin, CA 94964
(415) 454-1460
Sierra Conservation Center (SCC)
5100 O’Byrnes Ferry Road
Jamestown, CA 95327
(209) 984-5291
21633 Avenue 24
Chowchilla, CA 93610
(559) 665-6100
701 Scofield Avenue
Wasco, CA 93280
(661) 758-8400
Inmate mail should include the following information:
Inmate’s Full Name, CDC#
Institution Name
PO Box Housing
City, CA ZIP
Inmate CDC numbers and housing assignments are available from the Public Information Officer at the institution. This information is also available from the inmate locator service. If the inmate’s housing unit is unknown, you can call the ID Unit at 916-445-6713. For inmates with common names, you will need a date of birth as well as the inmate’s full name.
For most prisons, the mailing address is not the same as the physical address. Mailing addresses are located on each prison’s individual page. You can find links to those pages on the CDCR website.
Inmates can receive the following mail via first class mail: photographs (not Polaroids), calendars, postage embossed envelopes, blank envelopes, writing paper, typing paper, legal paper, children’s drawings, and up to 40 postage stamps. Inmates can receive books, but they must be softcover and sent from an approved book distributor, publisher, or book store. Inmates are only permitted to have 10 books in their possession at any time; any extra books have to be donated or sent home. Barnes and Noble and Amazon are approved vendors. Because books are considered personal property, they are inspected, and there may be some delay between the facility receiving the books and the inmate being able to get them.
Inmates who are eligible can receive packages of personal property. They are limited up to 30 pounds per year, and the packages must consist of items from an approved list, and be shipped from approved vendors. Inmates may also be able to purchase items from these vendors, as well. These are different from normal commissary/ canteen purchases.
Inmates at the CDCR are allowed to place outgoing phone calls, but cannot get incoming phone calls. Outgoing phone calls must be collect calls or through an inmate’s phone account. The phone service provider for the CDCR is Global Tel Link (GTL). To contact GTL, call 800-483-8314 or visit them online at www.offenderconnect.com.
Phone calls are a privilege, not a right. Inmates who are not in the Administrative Segregation Unit usually have that privilege, but the frequency of phone calls depends on an inmate’s privilege group. In addition, phone privileges are different for inmates in the Reception area; they get fewer phone calls than other inmates.
Inmates in CDCR facilities do not have access to email and/or electronic messaging.
Inmates in CDCR facilities have inmate trust accounts. The funds in these accounts can be used to pay for things that the inmate needs while in the CDCR facility.
There are three ways to send money to an inmate for the inmate’s trust account. To deposit money any of these three ways, it is important to know the inmate’s name, the inmate’s CDCR number, and the inmate’s location.
The first way to send money is with an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). These can be sent through one of the following EFT vendors: GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, Access Corrections. These deposits post to inmate accounts within 1 to 3 days.
The second way to send money is through the Lock Box. There is no fee for this service. You can send a money order, cashier’s check, or personal check. The money order deposit form must be filled out. The check or money order should be made payable to JPay. Personal checks will be held for 10 days. No other correspondence should be in the envelope; the inmate does not get the contents. They should be mailed to:
JPay
2202 South Figueroa St. , Box 3001
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Inmate trust account deposits can also be sent directly to the institution. This method has no fee, but does have a 30-day hold. The sender’s name and address must be on the check or money order. The check or money order should be made payable to the CDCR, and the inmate’s name and CDCR number must be on the check or money order.
There are many reasons to put money in an inmate’s trust account. The first reason is to provide inmates with the funds they need for discretionary spending on items in canteen or commissary. This money is not subject to review as long as an inmate uses it for approved purchases. Inmates may also be required to pay restitution, such as restitution fines or direct orders. Inmates can contact their counselors to find out information about how to pay for these fines. When money is sent for a fine or restitution, it needs to be designated and should include the direct order or restitution fine information. If a defendant has a direct order or a restitution fine, some portion of all money sent to the inmate will be used to pay that fine. Inmate may also need funds for family visiting or for temporary community leave.
The CDCR has an online inmate locator service, which can be used to help locate inmates in the CDCR system. To search the system, you need an inmate’s last name and/or CDCR number. The results provide an inmate’s name, CDCR number, age, admission date, current location, location date, and parole eligible date.
The CDCR’s Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services allows victims to sign up for notifications if an inmate is going to be released. To apply to sign up, go to: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/victim-services/victim-services/application/.
Not everyone can be signed up for notification. Those who qualify for notification include: crime victims, family members of victims, and witnesses who testified against offenders. Changes of custody that prompt notification include: releases, deaths, escapes, parole hearings, contracts, and scheduled executions.
In order to visit, visitors must make appointments with the VPASS system. However, all visitors must be approved visitors. If you make an appointment as an unapproved visitor, the system will let you make a reservation, but you will not be permitted to visit.
Before visiting an inmate, you should read through the guidelines to ensure you know all of the rules for visitation, find out where the inmate is housed, apply to become an approved visitor, schedule your visit on VPASS, and check visiting status for the institution on the day of the visit.
All prisoners are eligible for visits, unless they have lost that privilege. General population inmates get contact visits. Contact visits allow inmates to sit with their visitors and have limited physical contact, such as a kiss or hug when the visit begins and ends and holding hands during the visit. Contact visits occur in a large room with other visitors. Only five visitors at a time can come to contact visits. These visits are not time-limited, but may be cut short in order to allow other inmates to visit with their visitors. Prisoners who are in reception or special housing units get non-contact visits. These are visits that occur with a glass partition between the inmate and the visitors. Only three visitors at a time can come to non-contact visits. They are time limited. Death row inmates may receive contract or noncontact visits, depending on whether they are classified as Condemned Grade A or Condemned Grade B. However, all condemned visits are in secured booths, time limited, and involve securely escorting the inmate to the visit.
CDCR offers family visits. These visits last from 30 to 40 hours and occur in apartment-like units on prison grounds. Not all prisoners are eligible for family visits. Death row inmates, inmates serving life sentences, convicted sex offenders, and inmates under disciplinary restrictions cannot have family visits. Family visits are restricted to immediate family members. They are also limited to availability, and can usually only occur every several months. The prisoner must put in an application for a family visit. Rules for family visits can be explained by the officials who coordinate family visits at the relevant facility.
Year Built or Opened: 2004 Warden or Supervisor: Secretary Ralph Diaz Daily Inmate Count: 125,730 Security Level(s): minimum - maximum
Inmate’s full name, CDC#
Institution Name
P.O. Box Housing (preferable)
City, CA ZIP
1515 S St. #101N
Sacramento, CA 95811
Other Prisons in California:
San Quentin State Prison | Wasco State Prison | North Kern State Prison | Folsom State Prison | Correctional Training Facility | California Substance Abuse Treatment Center and State Prison Corcoran | California State Prison Corcoran | California Men's Colony | Sierra Conservation Center | Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary