How to Visit Someone at Avenal State Prison

Step 1. Get on the Approved Visitor List

Before anything can be scheduled, the person you want to visit must request CDCR Form 106, the Visitor Questionnaire, and send it to you. They sign it themselves to confirm they’re adding you to their approved visitor list.

Step 2. Fill Out the Questionnaire Completely

The form asks about every arrest and conviction in your history, even ones that never led to charges. CDCR checks your answers against California’s law enforcement records, and a mismatch is one of the most common reasons a visitor gets denied. If you’re not sure of an exact date, put your best estimate instead of leaving it blank.

Step 3. Mail the Questionnaire to Avenal

Send the completed form to Avenal State Prison, #1 Kings Way, Avenal, CA 93204, attention Visiting Sergeant. This is the staff address for approval paperwork, not the inmate mail box.

Step 4. Schedule Your Visit Through VSA

Once you’re approved, book your visit through CDCR’s statewide Visitation Scheduling Application (VSA) at cdcr.gtlvisitme.com/app. Call the Visiting Sergeant at (559) 386-0587, extension 6014, or email [email protected] if you run into a scheduling problem.

Avenal’s Visiting Hours

• Friday: 11:30am to 6:00pm
• Saturday, Sunday, and designated holidays: 8:30am to 3:00pm

Arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Staff process visitors on a rolling basis, so arriving too early or too late can mean a shorter visit.

Walk-In Visiting

Avenal also accepts walk-ins at separate, shorter windows: Friday 2:00pm to 6:00pm, with processing ending at 5:00pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 10:00am to 3:00pm, with processing ending at 2:00pm. Walk-ins are not guaranteed and depend on space and staffing.

The Weekend Processing Gap

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, visitor processing pauses from 1:15pm to 2:00pm for a staff shift change. If you arrive right at 2:00pm expecting to be processed immediately, plan on being let in around 2:15pm instead. Building this gap into your travel plans avoids a frustrating wait at the gate.

Overnight Family Visiting

Avenal offers Overnight Family Visiting by appointment, available Tuesday through Thursday and Friday through Sunday. Visiting minors must be immediate family. If the adult bringing the child isn’t the child’s parent or legal guardian, Avenal requires a current notarized written approval that specifically states the visit is a family overnight visit, not a general visit authorization.

What to Bring

Every adult visitor needs a valid, unexpired photo ID. Bring a small transparent bag, about 6 by 8 inches (a larger clear bag is allowed if you’re visiting with young children), up to two keys on a ring (one may be an electronic fob), a non-metallic comb or brush, a small unopened pack of tissues or a handkerchief (no bandanas), prescription glasses, up to 10 photos no larger than 8x10 with no Polaroids (you take these back with you after the visit), and up to 10 pages of documents no larger than 8.5x11. If you’re bringing an infant or toddler, Avenal allows baby care items like bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, blankets, and pacifiers.

Bringing Children

Every minor needs a certified copy of their birth certificate at every single visit, regardless of how many times they’ve visited before. This is stricter than some CDCR facilities that only require it the first time, so bring the certified copy each trip to avoid being turned away.

Dress Code

Avoid anything resembling state-issued blue denim or chambray clothing. Clothing can’t expose the breast, chest, genitals, or buttocks, or ride more than two inches above the knee. Sheer or see-through clothing, strapless or spaghetti-strap tops, shower shoes or house slippers, and steel-toe boots are not allowed, and nothing with obscene or offensive language or images is permitted.

What’s Not Allowed

Visitors can be denied entry for clothing that doesn’t meet the dress code, for appearing to be under the influence, or for bringing items that aren’t on the approved list. Cash beyond the $100 per adult or $50 per child limit, and any bills instead of quarters or dollar coins, aren’t allowed inside the visiting room itself (though the on-site change machines take bills to convert). If you disagree with a decision at the gate, you can ask to speak with the Visiting Sergeant.

Video Visiting

CDCR no longer provides video visiting statewide. Between in-person visits, families stay in touch through free phone calls, mail, and any messaging available through the person’s tablet.