How to Visit Someone at California Correctional Institution

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 CCI

Send the completed form to California Correctional Institution, 24900 Highway 202, Tehachapi, CA 93561, attention Visiting Sergeant, extension 3150. You can also email [email protected] with questions about the approval process.

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. Arrive within 30 minutes of your scheduled appointment. Arriving later means you’ll be processed as a walk-in instead, which isn’t guaranteed.

CCI’s Visiting Hours

• Friday: 12:15pm to 6:45pm, processing ends 5:45pm
• Saturday, Sunday, and designated holidays: 8:15am to 2:45pm, processing ends 1:45pm

Each incarcerated person is limited to one visit per day, so coordinate with other family members if more than one of you wants to see the same person on the same day.

Walk-In Visiting

CCI accepts walk-ins at separate windows: Friday 3:30pm to 6:45pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 11:30am to 2:45pm. Walk-ins are not guaranteed and depend on space and staffing that day.

What ID to Bring

Bring one of the following, with a photo: a driver’s license from any state, a DMV ID card, an armed forces ID, a US ICE identification card, a US or foreign passport, or a Mexican Consulate photo ID.

Bringing Children

Rules depend on who’s bringing the child. If a parent brings their own child, a certified copy of the birth certificate is all you need. If a legal guardian who isn’t the parent brings the child, bring the certified birth certificate plus proof of legal guardianship. If the adult is neither the parent nor legal guardian, you need both the certified birth certificate and a notarized written consent form naming the incarcerated person, the accompanying adult, and the visit dates. CDCR provides a fillable consent form PDF for this. The consent form has to be renewed every year.

Dress Code

CCI’s dress code is detailed. Avoid anything resembling state-issued blue denim or chambray, and avoid clothing that resembles staff uniforms: tan shirt with green pants, all green tops or bottoms, orange tops and bottoms or jumpsuits, white shirt and bottoms or jumpsuits, and medical scrubs. Camouflage clothing is not allowed unless you’re active or reserve military with ID. Ripped or torn jeans aren’t allowed regardless of how much skin shows. Clothing can’t expose the breast, genitals, or buttocks, and excessively tight or form-fitting clothing like leggings or yoga pants isn’t allowed. Low-cut, see-through, crop-top, or midriff-exposing clothing is prohibited, as are strapless, halter, sheer, and spaghetti-strap tops (straps must be at least 3 inches wide). Dresses, skirts, and shorts can’t be more than 2 inches above the knee.

What’s Not Allowed

Prohibited items include hats and beanies (unless medically necessary and pre-approved), gloves, sunglasses (unless prescribed), non-clear wallets, bags, or purses, phones and other smart or Bluetooth devices, wigs and hairpieces (unless medically necessary and pre-approved), shower shoes, and metal hair accessories. Visitors can be turned away for a dress code violation, appearing to be under the influence, or bringing a prohibited item.

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.