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 in a CDCR facility, here's the key thing to know: communication services are changing. Getting set up early will save you time once the transition reaches your person's facility.
CDCR uses an online scheduling site that lets you reserve your visitation time instead of waiting in long lines. Once you're signed in, you can pick the date, time, and location that works for you. Visits are confirmed instantly. That quick turnaround takes real stress out of planning, especially when you're juggling travel, childcare, or time off work.
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.
