How to Visit Someone at California Institution for Men

Step 1. Get on the Approved Visitor List

Before you can schedule anything, the person you want to visit must request CDCR Form 106, the Visitor Questionnaire, and send it to you. They have to sign it themselves, confirming they agree to add you to their visitor list.

Step 2. Fill Out the Questionnaire Completely

The form asks for every arrest and conviction you’ve ever had, even ones that never led to charges. CDCR runs a background check against California’s law enforcement records system, and an unlisted arrest or conviction that turns up in that check is a common reason for denial. If you’re unsure of exact dates, give your best approximate answer instead of leaving it blank.

Step 3. Mail the Questionnaire to CIM

Send the completed form to CIM’s Visiting Department. Do not put the inmate’s information on the outside of the envelope, since that can route your application to the person instead of the Visiting Department and delay processing.

Step 4. Schedule Your Visit Through VSA, or Walk In

Once approved, book your visit through CDCR’s Visitation Scheduling Application (VSA) at cdcr.gtlvisitme.com/app, or come during the walk-in windows. Scheduling an appointment is recommended to guarantee your visit. Appointment times are Friday 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, and 1:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, and 9:30am. Call (909) 597-1821 to confirm hours before you travel.

CIM’s Visiting Hours

• Friday: 12:00pm to 6:45pm
• Saturday: 8:00am to 2:45pm
• Sunday: 8:00am to 2:45pm

Walk-In Visits

Walk-in visits are accepted Friday 2:00pm to 6:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm. Visitor processing stops at 6:00pm on Fridays and 2:00pm on weekends. Appointments that arrive late filter in with the walk-ins, so arrive on time to keep your slot.

Restricted Housing Unit (RHU) Visits

If the person is in the Restricted Housing Unit, visits are non-contact and run Friday through Sunday in two one-hour blocks, 12:00 to 1:00pm and 1:00 to 2:00pm. A maximum of 3 visitors is allowed, with one visit per week.

Overnight Family Visiting

Overnight family visitors report to the CIM Main Gate Visiting Processing Center between 9:00 and 11:00am on the first day, and process out at 8:00am on the final day. CIM runs two schedules: check in Thursday and out Saturday, or check in Saturday and out Monday. These are pre-scheduled with the overnight family visiting coordinator.

What to Bring

Every adult visitor needs valid, unexpired photo ID: a driver’s license from any state, a state DMV ID card, a military ID, an ICE identification card, a US or foreign passport, or a Mexican Consulate photo ID. Note that processing may require removing piercings, jewelry, waist trainers, or other accessories for closer inspection, since metal often alarms the detectors and can delay or prevent your visit.

Bringing Children

Minors under 18 must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor. Bring a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. If a parent brings their own child, the birth certificate is enough. If someone other than the legal parent or guardian brings the child, you also need a notarized Minor Consent Form, renewed each calendar year.

Dress Code

CDCR’s attire rules apply at CIM. Avoid anything resembling state-issued clothing (blue chambray or denim), law enforcement or military-style clothing, and anything metal that won’t clear a detector, like an underwire bra. Specific restrictions include no strapless, halter, bare midriff, sheer, or transparent clothing, no skirts or shorts more than two inches above the knee, no clothing exposing the breast, genitals, or buttocks, and no tight or form-fitting attire. Children under 36 inches tall are exempt from the color and material rules but still clear the metal detector.

What’s Not Allowed and Visit Termination

Visitors can be turned away for clothing that doesn’t meet the dress code, for being under the influence, or for bringing prohibited items. When the visiting room reaches capacity, staff may end the longest visits first, and an appointment isn’t an exception, with exceptions for long-distance travelers, weddings, family emergencies, and infrequent visitors. The Friends Outside visitor center at (909) 597-5428 offers help and transportation on many visiting days.

Video Visiting

CDCR no longer offers video visiting statewide. Contact between visits is by free phone calls and by mail, plus any messaging available through the person’s tablet.