Why you can't mail quarterly packages directly to someone at CSP Solano — and what to do instead

Here's the part that surprises most people: you can't mail a quarterly package to someone at California State Prison, Solano yourself. CDCR doesn't allow family or friends to send these packages directly. Instead, quarterly packages must be purchased through private vendors that CDCR has authorized and approved. Why the restriction? It's about security - the vendor-only system cuts down on contraband and reduces the time staff spend searching packages from the public.

"Approved vendor" doesn't mean CDCR is partnered with the company or vouching for them. CDCR isn't affiliated with these vendors and doesn't guarantee they'll fulfill orders correctly, perform well, stay in business, or that products will meet your expectations. Vendor approval just means they've met basic requirements to operate - not that every order will go smoothly. This matters when something goes wrong. Missing items, wrong items, delays, billing issues - CDCR won't step in to fix it. You're dealing with a private business. Treat it like any other online purchase: read the fine print and save your receipts and order confirmations.

Since you can't mail a quarterly package into CSP Solano yourself, the process is really about ordering through the right channel. Pick a vendor that CDCR has authorized for quarterly packages, then place your order using their system. The package ships from the vendor, not from you - so your job is making sure you're using an approved seller and double-checking your order details before you pay. If you've ever had a package returned from a facility for containing something prohibited, you know how frustrating and expensive that gets. The vendor system is designed to reduce those problems, though it doesn't eliminate them entirely. Take a minute to confirm you're ordering through an approved vendor and that you understand their policies before hitting "submit."

• ✓ Confirm you’re ordering a quarterly package through a CDCR-approved vendor (not mailing a package yourself)
• ✓ Double-check the incarcerated person’s information the vendor requires before placing the order
• ✓ Review the vendor’s payment terms and any fees before you pay
• ✓ Read the vendor’s return/refund policy so you know what happens if there’s an issue
• ✓ Save your order confirmation and any emails from the vendor in case you need to follow up directly with them

Questions about religious vendor packages? CDCR handles those through the Incarcerated Persons Religious Vendor Package Program at m_DAIReligiousPOU@cdcr.ca.gov. If you're a business interested in becoming an approved Quarterly Package Vendor for CDCR - so you can sell quarterly packages to people at CSP Solano - direct those inquiries to Lt. Victor Espinoza at Victor.Espinoza@cdcr.ca.gov.

1. Email Lt. Victor Espinoza about vendor approval - Use Victor.Espinoza@cdcr.ca.gov for questions about becoming an approved Quarterly Package Vendor.
2. Email the religious vendor program for religious packages - Use m_DAIReligiousPOU@cdcr.ca.gov for the Incarcerated Persons Religious Vendor Package Program.
3. Get confirmation before moving forward - Make sure approval details are confirmed in writing before a vendor offers quarterly or religious packages to families.

Here's something that catches families off guard: money you send to someone at CSP Solano can be affected by restitution. Any funds sent to an inmate remain subject to restitution as ordered by the sentencing court. If you're assuming the money will be available for purchases right away, that may not be the case when restitution is being collected. Keep this in mind when planning. Restitution can change what's actually available in their trust account after you make a deposit.