How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
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.
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Yes. Funds you send directly to someone at Chowchilla State Prison remain subject to court-ordered restitution.
No. Packages purchased directly from a vendor aren't affected by court-ordered restitution under the facility's stated policy.
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.
Common options include online or mobile portals, phone deposits, lobby kiosks, and U.S. Postal money orders. Accepted methods vary by facility—confirm the approved deposit options before sending money. Never mail cash.
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.
Valley State Prison is switching from ViaPath to Securus as part of CDCR's rollout. Set up your Securus account and Video Connect now, and you'll be ready to accept video visits the moment the switch goes live.
To request a Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) through CDCR, contact the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS). Call 1-877-256-6877 or email OVSRS_VOD@cdcr.ca.gov. That first contact opens the door to the formal VOD intake process.
