Visiting hours, communication rules, and inmate-search links for the 54 correctional facilities we track in California. The California Department of Corrections operates the state prison system; county sheriffs' offices run local jails for pretrial and short-sentence inmates; and federal facilities are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Step-by-step, California-specific instructions for the four most common questions families ask when a loved one enters CDCR custody.
State prison visits in California typically require advance approval through the inmate's housing unit. Submit the visiting application as soon as the inmate arrives at their permanent assignment — background-check turnaround can run six to eight weeks. County jails almost always allow new visitors to register online, but many of those visits are now video-only and must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
Federal facilities in California follow Bureau of Prisons Program Statement 5267.09. Adult visitors must be on the inmate's BP-A0629 visiting list; children must be accompanied and have proof of relationship. Always verify the visiting schedule the day before you travel — units are routinely placed on modified operations for staffing or weather.
Operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. BOP visiting policy applies system-wide.
Operated by the California Department of Corrections.
Operated by individual county sheriffs' offices for pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates.