What to say when the issue is urgent: safety, medical, mental health, or legal/document needs.
There is a safety, self-harm, threat, serious medical, mental health, legal document, notary, or attorney-visit issue.
Calling with only emotion and no details. Have the name, CDCR number, facility, housing if known, timeline, and exact concern ready.
If staff cannot discuss private details, ask them to route the concern to custody, medical, mental health, or the Litigation Coordinator Office.
Record the date, time, phone number called, staff title if provided, and what you asked them to do.
Hello, I need to report an urgent safety concern for an incarcerated person. Their name is [name], CDCR number [number], housed at [facility/housing if known]. They said or showed [specific concern]. I need staff to conduct a welfare check and route this to the appropriate custody or mental health staff.
Hello, I’m calling about a medical concern for [name], CDCR number [number]. The concern is [symptoms/condition/timeline]. I understand privacy limits what you can tell me, but I’m asking that this concern be referred to the appropriate health care staff at the institution.
Hello, I need information about legal document service, notary services, or attorney/legal visiting for [name], CDCR number [number]. Can you connect me with the Litigation Coordinator Office or confirm the correct phone, fax, email, and mailing process?
CDCR says the Office of the Ombudsman can assist concerned family members by listening to concerns and referring them to appropriate health care staff, but privacy laws limit what can be disclosed about treatment.
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