Chowchilla State Prison, CA
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Guides for This Facility
Who to contact at Valley State Prison (Chowchilla) and what to ask about the Securus rollout
For questions about Valley State Prison (Chowchilla)—including what’s changing with tablets and services during the Securus rollout—call the main line at (559) 665-6100.
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How to send a quarterly package to someone at Valley State Prison (Chowchilla)
If your loved one is at Valley State Prison (Chowchilla), you can't mail a care package directly to them like you would to someone on the outside. CDCR's quarterly package program works through approved private vendors instead. You place an order with an authorized vendor, and they handle the shipment under CDCR's rules.
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What families at Valley State Prison (Chowchilla) should do before and during the ViaPath → Securus transition
Valley State Prison is switching from ViaPath to Securus. A little prep now can save you from lost funds, missing content, and last-minute headaches. Here's what to do before the switch—and what to expect during the changeover.
Read GuideAt a Glance
Communication
- Securus video calls cost $0.10 per minute compared with ViaPath’s $0.16 per minute.
- E-message pricing will decrease under Securus from $0.05 to $0.03.
- Securus increases the free video allowance to 30 minutes per month.
Sending Commissary
- Funds sent directly to an inmate at Chowchilla State Prison remain subject to court-ordered restitution.
- Families who purchase packages directly from a vendor are not affected by court-ordered restitution.
- Families may request refunds for unused ViaPath balances through ViaPath’s call center, and incarcerated balances are refunded to trust accounts automatically.
Contact Info
- The facility’s official listing shows the physical address for Chowchilla State Prison.
- The facility’s official listing shows the main phone number for general inquiries.
- Call the intake or main line for custody and location questions and the Records Unit for release or records issues.
Facility Info
- Participation in a VOD is voluntary and requires approval by the Warden/Superintendent and OVSRS before assignment to a trained facilitator.
- Participating in a VOD does not change an offender’s release date, classification score, or status.
- Mend Collaborative facilitates VODs in California prisons and provides survivor preparation, support, and facilitator training.
Based on official sources and community feedback.Learn how we verify
Topic Overviews
Communication
CDCR is moving institutions from ViaPath to Securus. Once Chowchilla State Prison transitions, you'll use Securus for all communications. Check the rollout schedule for tentative dates and expect possible outages during the switch. The good news: video visits drop to $0.10 per minute (from $0.16), and e-messages go from $0.05 to $0.03. Free monthly allowances also jump to 30 minutes of video and 20 e-messages. During the transition, incarcerated people turn in ViaPath tablets and receive Securus tablets. Photos, e-messages, and other media purchased on ViaPath won't transfer. If you have unused ViaPath funds, request a refund through ViaPath's call center. Incarcerated balances get refunded automatically. To use Securus video, you'll need to register and add funds.
Read full guideSending Commissary
Money you send directly to someone at Chowchilla State Prison can be reduced by court-ordered restitution—meaning they may receive less than you deposited. Want to avoid that? Packages purchased directly from a vendor aren't affected by restitution. If a third-party vendor like ViaPath is involved, you can request refunds for unused balances through the vendor's refund process. Incarcerated balances typically get refunded to trust accounts automatically. Deposit options usually include online or mobile portals, phone deposits, lobby kiosks, or U.S. Postal money orders—confirm accepted methods before you start. Never mail cash. Trust funds cover commissary, phone time, hygiene items, and other approved purchases. Fees and posting times may affect when money becomes available.
Read full guideContact
The official listing for Chowchilla State Prison has the institution's current physical address and main phone number—check it before calling or mailing anything. Trying to confirm custody status, housing, or another immediate question? Call the facility's main/intake line so staff can route you correctly. For records, releases, or other official paperwork, those requests go through the Records & ID office. Before calling any office, have the incarcerated person's full name and date of birth (or their booking/ID number) ready—it speeds things up. For records or property-related requests, bring a government-issued photo ID and follow any submission rules provided by the facility.
Read full guideCommon Questions
Showing 6 of 12How do rates change when Chowchilla moves from ViaPath to Securus?
Rates drop under Securus: video calls cost $0.10 per minute instead of $0.16, and e-messages fall from $0.05 to $0.03.
CommunicationWill photos or messages I bought on ViaPath transfer to the new Securus tablet?
No—photos, e-messages, and other media purchased through ViaPath won’t transfer to the new Securus tablets. If you have unused ViaPath funds, you can request a refund through ViaPath’s call center; incarcerated account balances are refunded automatically.
CommunicationHow do I sign up and add funds for Securus video calls?
Register and add prepaid funds using AdvanceConnect (or the department's communications app), then enable video calling for Video Connect. Securus Video Connect is web-based—you can schedule and join sessions from an app, computer, or tablet.
CommunicationWill money I send to someone at Chowchilla State Prison be applied to restitution?
Yes. Funds you send directly to someone at Chowchilla State Prison remain subject to court-ordered restitution.
Sending CommissaryIf I buy a package from a vendor for someone at Chowchilla State Prison, will restitution take that money?
No. Packages purchased directly from a vendor aren't affected by court-ordered restitution under the facility's stated policy.
Sending CommissaryHow can I get a refund for an unused ViaPath balance?
Request a refund for any unused ViaPath balance through ViaPath’s call center. Balances held by the incarcerated person are typically refunded back to their trust account automatically.
Sending CommissaryMore Guides
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Did You Know?
The CDCR is switching its offender communication services from ViaPath to Securus.
This guide is compiled from official facility documentation and community feedback. Learn how we verify