Avenal State Prison (ASP) is a CDCR men's institution in Avenal, Kings County, in California's Central Valley. It opened in 1987 as the first California prison solicited by a local community and the first new state prison built in 20 years, and was renamed Avenal State Prison in February 1988. ASP now operates as a Reentry Hub, helping people build parole plans and life skills before release. This guide covers CDCR's statewide inmate locator, how to schedule a visit through the VSA system, sending money, free phone calls, and Avenal's facility-specific mail rules. All data is verified from cdcr.ca.gov.
City
Avenal
County
Kings County
State
CA
Facility Type
state prison
Gender
Male
Capacity
Not published by CDCR as a fixed number; check the current Weekly Population Report
Custody Levels
General population across Facilities A through F; specific security-level breakdown not published by CDCR
Operator
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Address
#1 Kings Way, Avenal, CA 93204
Phone
(559) 386-0587
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CDCR runs one statewide inmate search tool, not a separate tool per prison. Here's how to confirm someone is at Avenal and which facility they're in.
View ArticleYou need CDCR Form 106 approval first, then you book your visit through the statewide VSA system.
View ArticleCDCR's statewide money process: three vendors, a no-fee lock box, or a check to the person's facility box.
View ArticleAll outgoing calls from Avenal are free. Here's how the tablet transition to Securus affects families.
View ArticleAvenal uses a different P.O. Box for each housing facility, so the address depends on the person's current facility.
View ArticleCDCR runs one statewide inmate search tool, CIRIS, not a separate tool per facility. Search by name or CDCR number, then confirm the result lists Avenal State Prison and which of its six housing facilities the person is in.
See the full breakdownYou need CDCR Form 106 signed by the incarcerated person and approved by Avenal's Visiting Sergeant before you can schedule anything. Once approved, book through CDCR's statewide VSA system. Weekend processing pauses from 1:15-2:00pm for a shift change.
See the full breakdownCDCR uses one statewide money process: EFT through GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections, a no-fee money order to JPay's lock box, or a no-fee check payable to CDCR to the person's facility box. See the full CDCR send-money guide.
See the full breakdownAll outgoing voice calls are free statewide, limited to 15 minutes. CDCR is switching tablets and messaging from ViaPath to Securus through 2026, so confirm the current provider with the institution.
See the full breakdownAvenal routes inmate mail through a separate P.O. Box for each housing facility, so you need the person's current facility to address a letter correctly.
See the full breakdown6 of 7 questions
Use CIRIS, the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search, at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. Search by name or CDCR number, then confirm the result lists Avenal State Prison and shows which of the six housing facilities the person is in.
Inmate SearchFriday 11:30am to 6:00pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and designated holidays 8:30am to 3:00pm. Walk-in visiting runs Friday 2:00-6:00pm and weekends/holidays 10:00am-3:00pm, with a processing pause from 1:15-2:00pm on weekends for a shift change. Call (559) 386-0587 to confirm before you travel.
VisitationYes. CDCR Form 106, the Visitor Questionnaire, must be signed by the incarcerated person and mailed to Avenal's Visiting Sergeant for a background check. Once approved, you schedule visits yourself through CDCR's VSA system.
VisitationAvenal routes inmate mail through a separate P.O. Box for each housing facility, A through F, instead of one shared box. You need to know the person's current facility to use the right box. Confirm it on CIRIS before you send anything.
MailCDCR uses one statewide money process. Send electronically through GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections, mail a no-fee money order payable to JPay to the lock box, or mail a no-fee check payable to CDCR to the person's facility box. See the full CDCR send-money guide for details.
Send MoneyAll outgoing voice calls are free statewide, limited to 15 minutes. For tablets, video, and e-messages, CDCR is moving from ViaPath to Securus one institution at a time through 2026. Call (559) 386-0587 to confirm the current provider before you create an account.
Phone CallsAvenal State Prison (ASP) is a CDCR men's institution in Avenal, Kings County, that opened in 1987 as the first prison solicited by a local community and the first new California prison built in 20 years. It was originally named Kings County State Prison before being renamed Avenal State Prison on February 22, 1988. ASP now operates as a Reentry Hub, helping people build parole and life-skills plans before release.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 19, 2026. Official source: cdcr.ca.gov/facility-locator/asp ›