San Quentin State Prison is Californias oldest and best known correctional institution, which was established on the site currently known as Point San Quentin. San Quentin housed both male and female inmates until 1933 when the womens prison at Tehachapi was built. The prison rests overlooking the bay on 432 acres, and is located just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the county of Marin. The walled prison is made up of four (4) large cell blocks (West, South, North, and East Block), one (1) maximum security cell block (the Adjustment Center), Central Health Care Service Building, a medium security dorm setting and a minimum security firehouse. The state's only gas chamber and death row for all male condemned inmates are located at San Quentin. This facility provides both outpatient and inpatient mental health services for patients with a serious mental disorder.
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Visitors/docs/InmateVisitingGuidelines.pdf
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can u feel out visiting forms on line and submit
Hi Keisha, Please note the following information: Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison 1 Introduction Visiting a family member or friend who is in prison is an important way to maintain connections during incarceration and enhances the prisoner’s success both while in prison and after release. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recognizes the importance of visitation and encourages families and friends to visit as often as their circumstances allow. Nevertheless, visiting at a prison can be complicated and confusing, especially when visiting for the first time. This handbook is a useful guide for visitors, taking… Read more »
I am visiting my son this weekend and bringing my grandson to visit him. His mother is ok with this, but what form does she have to fill out and have notarized or can she just write something up and have notarized. My grandson is already cleared to visit.
Hi Rozella, Please note the following information about San Quentin State Prison: Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison F. Identification Required for Visiting All adults must present identification when being processed to visit. Acceptable forms of identification must be valid and current (not expired) and include: • A driver’s license (from any state) with photo; • A Department of Motor Vehicle identification card (from any state) with photo; • An armed forces identification card with photo; • A United States Department of Justice Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identification card; • A United States passport with photo or… Read more »
I will be flying into San Francisco airport from out of state to visit a very dear friend in SQSP, do you have any suggestions of a hotel between the airport and prison? I assumed I would rent a car at the airport and drive to the hotel and prison. Any insight into a place to stay and visiting would be great appreciated.
How long is the visiting?
Do they take pictures you and the inmate and how much are they?
My visit is at 11am. What time do I need to be at the prison?
Hi Andrea,
We recommend 30 minutes before 11 if it is your first visit.
Can I wear black jeans and a black long sleeve shirt with Marilyn Monroe on the front?
Hi Celena, Please note the following information about visitation attire: Do not wear clothing that resembles the clothing that prisoners wear a. Blue denim pants; b. Blue chambray shirts; c. Orange jumpsuits or Orange tops with Orange bottoms; d. Red tops (Pleasant Valley State Prison only); or e. Dresses that resemble prisoner muumuu (female institutions only) 2. Do not wear clothing that resembles what custodial staff wear a. Forest green pants; b. Tan shirts; or c. Camouflage There are specific restrictions: • No blue denim, blue chambray, orange jumpsuits or orange tops with orange bottoms; • No forest green bottoms… Read more »
How long are the visits?
Hi Monica, Please note the following information about visitation at the San Quentin State Facility: Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison Every prison has visiting on Saturdays, Sundays, and four holidays during each calendar year (New Year’s Day, July 4th (Independence Day), Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). Visits vary by institution but usually begin between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and end between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. To find out the days and visiting hours for the prison you are going to visit, call the 800 Visitors’ Information number (800-374-8474) and follow the directions given on the… Read more »
Medical Items Allowed at San Quentin State Prison Visitation: If you have a need to bring in items relating to a medical condition, you must have documentation from your doctor as to its need. The documentation must include the doctor’s name, address, telephone number, and medical license number and must be updated every two years. With such verification as to its medical necessity, the following are allowed: • Prescription medications that are life-sustaining or condition-stabilizing, such as inhalers or nitroglycerin; medications must be in the original pharmacy container with the patient’s name, the pharmacy name, and the doctor’s name, as… Read more »
Hello,
I saw someone asking about the pictures, but no answer, can you please tell me how do the pictures work in San Quentin visiting please?
Thank you
Hi Ana, Please note the following information about photographs at visitation at the San Quentin State Prison: Prison visiting rooms have digital cameras available for photographs of prisoners and/or their visitors to be taken. There is a cost for the photographs, usually two dollars for each photograph. At some prisons, the visitor purchases a “ticket” for the photograph either from staff in the processing center or from a vending machine in the processing center or in the visiting room. At other prisons, the prisoner is required to purchase the photo ticket from the canteen. Either staff or a prisoner who… Read more »
How do you send in clothes for an inmate to where on his release date?
Hey, so about a year ago i was arrested and im on probation for 3 years with 2 years left would i get aproved to vist my boyfriend in san quentin?
Hi Ana, Any adult wishing to visit a prisoner must first obtain approval from CDCR. You must apply for approval to visit by completing a Visitor Questionnaire (CDCR Form 106). You obtain the Visitor Questionnaire by having the prisoner you wish to visit send it to you. The prisoner must sign the questionnaire before sending it to the prospective visitor; the signature confirms the prisoner’s agreement to have the applicant added to his/her visiting list. It is important to fill out the questionnaire completely. The questionnaire calls for the applicant to list all criminal convictions and all arrests, even if… Read more »
how do I speak with the prison chaplain?
I need to speak with the person in charge of mail from inmates. My brother sent me a large manila envelope, which required 4 stamps. Unfortunately the envelpe was ealed and mailed EMPTY!I’m requesting the contents of the envelope be sent at SQSP cost and an explanation for mailing an empty envelope. Please advise who I may speak with regarding mail tampering.
Thank you,
Hey, i wondering if i would be able to go inside with clip on extensions will they tell me to take them of cause of the metal?
Hi Briana,
You should be able to go to visitation. If you are an inmate, it’s a different story. We recommend contacting directly the facility for confirmation.