How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
Sending money to someone at Kern Valley State Prison works through several deposit options: online or mobile portals, phone deposits, lobby kiosks, or U.S. Postal money orders (depending on what's accepted). Funds land in the person's trust account and can cover commissary, phone time, hygiene items, and other approved needs—though some deposits may be reduced by court-ordered restitution or other deductions. Communication services work differently. Video calls and electronic messaging typically require a vendor account, while phone calls may not. Before depositing, double-check the person's full name and booking/facility ID, review vendor posting times so you know when funds will be available, and never mail cash.
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Kern Valley State Prison switched telephone service on 3/23, with tablets transitioning between 3/24–3/27. If you had money in a ViaPath balance during that changeover, you may be able to get it back. What happens next depends on whether the balance was on your loved one's incarcerated account or on a family account.
Use the deposit methods the facility accepts: online or mobile portals, phone deposits, lobby kiosks, or U.S. Postal money orders. Before you start, confirm the incarcerated person’s full name and booking/facility ID and follow the vendor’s deposit steps.
You do not need an online account to receive free telephone calls. Video calls and electronic messaging require a vendor account, and services like GTL and Securus provide options to set up and fund that account.
Do not mail cash; it’s commonly refused and returned. If mail deposits are allowed, use a U.S. Postal money order and verify the facility’s accepted mailing procedure first.
If your loved one is housed in a CDCR facility, phone calls are typically the easiest starting point. Video calls and electronic messaging can come later, once those services are available at their location.
GTL VisitMe is how you schedule visits with someone at Kern Valley State Prison. Once you sign in, pick a date, time, and location that works for you. Your visit gets confirmed right away. This guide covers the account setup and scheduling steps so you can lock in a reservation without any guesswork.
Sending money for services at a CDCR facility starts with setting up an account with the right provider. Here are the two CDCR account options and what to confirm before adding funds.
