Lockdowns & Modified Program

CDCR has published that modified program can suspend in-person visiting and pause phone/tablet communications. It can also keep people mostly in housing units while showers and medical care continue under controlled conditions.

Use this when

VSA changes, visiting disappears, calls stop, or families report the yard is down.

Highest-risk mistake

Checking only the main facility status and forgetting to ask whether the specific yard, unit, RHU, reception, or medical housing is affected.

Before leaving

Check CDCR visiting status, open the facility page, and call if you are driving far or bringing children.

What to ask

Ask whether the facility is on normal program, modified program, lockdown, quarantine, or yard-specific restriction today.

What families usually notice first

VSA appointment disappears or no slots show.
Phone calls stop unexpectedly.
Tablet messages stop or go unanswered.
Visiting status changes close to the travel date.
Only one yard/unit is restricted while the rest of the prison appears open.

Before driving

Check CDCR’s live Facility Visiting Status page.
Open the facility’s own CDCR visiting page.
Call the Visiting Sergeant if you are traveling far, bringing children, or visiting someone in RHU/reception/medical housing.
Ask whether your loved one’s specific housing unit, yard, or visiting area is affected.

Hello, I’m calling before I travel. Can you confirm whether the facility is on normal program, modified program, lockdown, quarantine, or any yard-specific restriction today? I also need to confirm whether my loved one’s housing unit is eligible for visiting.