California
California has county jails (run by sheriffs) and state prisons (run by CDCR), and the rules vary depending on where your loved one is housed. Start by finding the right facility contact info, then set up accounts for calls, visits, mail, and money. The sections below walk you through the most common next steps.
Facility Info
Before you drive to a jail or try to send anything, get the facility's phone number and correct address from an official facility directory or sheriff's...
Read guidePhone & Messaging
For CDCR state prisons, Securus is the communications provider. You can set up a Securus account through the website or mobile app so you're ready as...
Read guideVisitation
Claim your account. On the portal login page, use the “CLAIM ACCOUNT” option to get started.. Sign in and keep your login info safe. Returning users sign in...
Read guideVisitation features and practical tips (language, instant confirmations, calling ahead)
The GTL visitation portal handles scheduling and managing upcoming visits, helping you avoid showing up without a reservation. You can choose the date,...
Read guideMail & Photos
For CDCR California state prisons, quarterly packages are not something you can mail in yourself. Family members cannot send inmate packages (quarterly...
Read guideSending Money
Deposit options depend on where the person is housed, so start with the jail or prison's own instructions. Del Norte County Jail, for example, lists three...
Read guideQuarterly package vendor rules and vendor contact for CDCR
Quarterly packages for people in CDCR state prisons must be purchased through authorized private vendors (vendors have to be CDCR-approved before they can...
Read guideAccessibility and accommodation requests at county facilities
If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate in a county program, service, or activity, ask ahead of time using the county's published...
Read guideFind an Inmate
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Common Questions
Q
Do I need a Securus account to receive phone calls?
No, Securus says you do not need an online account to receive free telephone calls. You will need an account when videoconferencing and electronic messaging are available, so it can still be smart to set one up ahead of time.
Q
Why do I see different communications platforms for the same prison?
CDCR says it is transitioning providers, with an interim agreement with ViaPath to avoid service interruptions while the move to Securus is completed. During that transition, CDCR notes that families may need to use ViaPath until a specific institution transitions, then switch to Securus once it does.
Q
Can I mail a quarterly package directly to an inmate in a California state prison?
No. CDCR says family members cannot send quarterly packages directly to people incarcerated in California State Prison, and packages must be purchased through approved vendors.
Q
How can I add money to an inmate's account if I do not have online access?
Some facilities offer phone deposits and in-person kiosks as alternatives to online payment. For example, Del Norte County Jail lists deposits by phone or at a lobby kiosk, and it provides a phone deposit number: 866-394-0490.