CDCR-sourced visiting logistics for California state prisons — confirm live status before travel.

Avenal State Prison

(559) 386-0587 ext. 6014

Open for in-person visiting

CDCR page date · 2026-06-29 | BTB checked · 2026-06-30

Tablet & phone provider transition — ViaPath → Securus

Tablet provider changed: this facility is now on Securus

Avenal State Prison completed the CDCR-wide switch from ViaPath to Securus (phones Jun 1 2026, tablets Jun 2–4 2026). Families must now use a Securus account for video calls, e-messages, and photos — ViaPath no longer works here. Old ViaPath photos and messages did not transfer. Unused ViaPath family balances can be refunded through the ViaPath call center; the incarcerated person’s balance refunds to their trust account automatically. Note: cheaper rates now apply (video 10¢/min, messages 3¢) but internet radio and games are no longer free.

Full details: Phone & Tablet guide · CDCR tablet transition page ↗ · BTB checked 2026-07-05

Verify morning-of before travel

Do not drive on this page alone.

CDCR visiting rules, walk-ins, housing-unit access, dress-code enforcement, and processing cutoffs can change with little notice. Use this page to prepare, then check CDCR live status and call the facility visiting contact the morning of your trip.

Open this facility’s CDCR visiting page · Visiting contact: (559) 386-0587 ext. 6014

Do this first

1. Check live CDCR status

Open the official CDCR page the day before and again the morning you leave.

2. Call before driving

Ask about housing-unit restrictions, walk-ins, dress colors, cash/items, and processing cutoff.

3. Confirm approval

Make sure every visitor is approved and every adult has valid government photo ID.

4. Pack conservative

Bring only allowed items and a backup outfit in the car if possible.

Copy call script

Hi, I’m calling before traveling to visit someone at Avenal State Prison. Can you please confirm whether in-person visiting is open today, whether my loved one’s housing unit or yard has any restrictions, whether walk-ins are accepted, the processing cutoff time, current dress-code color restrictions, and the exact cash/items allowed in the visiting room? I also need to confirm where CDCR Form 106 should be mailed for this facility.

Getting approved / CDCR Form 106

Mail CDCR Form 106 to Attn: Visiting at this facility’s staff/institution mailing address. Exact staff-mail address is NOT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE in this starter data — requires facility-page verification or phone confirmation before publishing.

The incarcerated person must initiate CDCR Form 106 by sending the signed Visitor Questionnaire to the prospective visitor. If the exact staff-mail address is not published for this facility, confirm it with visiting staff before mailing legal or approval paperwork.

Sending packages to Avenal State Prison

! You cannot mail packages or clothing directly to Avenal State Prison. Quarterly packages must be ordered through a CDCR-approved vendor, and the vendor will ask for the person's full name, CDCR number, privilege group, and current housing location. If they were recently transferred, confirm the new housing location first — packages sent to the old facility are refused and refunds may lose restocking fees.

Full walkthrough and current approved vendor list: Sending Packages & Clothing guide · CDCR approved vendors ↗

Medical information about someone at Avenal State Prison

! For an urgent change in someone’s medical condition, call this facility’s Patient Health Care Inquiry (PHCI) line: 916-478-8750. This line is for urgent updates only and will not call back for non-urgent questions or unauthorized callers. Staff cannot share anything without a signed CDCR 7385 on file first. For imminent danger — suicide, homicide, or risk of serious injury — do not use PHCI; call the facility's main line and ask for the Watch Office instead.

The 7385 form, the checkbox families miss, and where non-urgent questions go: Getting Medical Information guide

Current BTB alert

No other alerts beyond the provider transition notice above

Apart from the ViaPath → Securus transition notice at the top of this page, no other BridgeTheBars facility-specific alert is posted. Always check CDCR live visiting status and call before a long drive.

Open alert/source page · BTB alert checked 2026-07-02

Visiting hours

In-person visitingFri 11:30am-6:00pm; Sat/Sun/Holidays 8:30am-3:00pm

Before you go — checklist

Dress code

No blue denim/chambray, no exposed breast/genitals/buttocks or excessive anatomical detail, no sheer/transparent/tight, no more than 2in above knee, no strapless/spaghetti straps, no shower shoes/house slippers, no sleeveless tops exposing undergarments, no offensive graphics, no steel-toe boots

Cash

$100 adult / $50 child limit; quarters or dollar coins only inside; on-site change machines accept $1/$5/$10/$20 bills (nothing larger)

Valid government photo ID for every adult. Includes state driver's license, passport, ICE ID, or Mexican Consulate ID.

Walk-ins

Fri 2:00pm-6:00pm (processing ends 5pm); Sat/Sun/Holidays 10:00am-3:00pm (processing ends 2pm); processing paused 1:15-2:00pm weekends for shift change

Know before you go

! Minors (18 and under) MUST have certified copy of birth certificate every visit, no exceptions; overnight family visiting Tue-Thu and Fri-Sun by appointment only; best contact method is email due to high call volume; Facebook group explicitly NOT affiliated with CDCR

Contacts

Visiting sergeant(559) 386-0587 ext. 6014

EmailASPVideoVisiting@cdcr.ca.gov

Friends Outside visitor center

HoursTue 6:00am-10:00am (Admin Day); Fri 10:30am-6:30pm; Sat/Sun/Holidays 7:30am-3:30pm

Phone(559) 386-4370

Provides childcare, clothing if you're out of dress code, transportation from nearby transit, and a place to wait before your visit.

Legal document service & notary

Litigation Coordinator Office(559) 386-6074

Fax(559) 386-2337

EmailCDCRASPLitigationCoordinator@cdcr.ca.gov

Office contact published by CDCR for attorney visits, notary services, and legal document service. Individual coordinator name is not publicly listed by CDCR.

Facility size & crowding

People housed here~3,843

Designed for2,909

Occupancy132.1% · Very crowded

CDCR population report · 2026-06-03. Crowding can affect how quickly visiting slots fill.

Related family survival guides

More statewide rules

Full dress code

What you can bring

Getting approved to visit

Source details

Facility visiting statusCDCR facility page

Cash/items allowedCDCR items page

Dress codeCDCR attire page

Visitor approval / Form 106CDCR approval page

Legal / notary office contactsCDCR litigation list

Requires phone confirmation

! Call the Visiting Sergeant before publishing or traveling for facility-specific clothing colors, yard/housing-unit restrictions, walk-in availability, holiday changes, cash exceptions, construction access, or parking issues not shown on the live CDCR page.

Status can change without notice — always confirm the day of your visit.

Check live status on CDCR →