How to Visit Someone at California Medical Facility

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. CMF processes applications within 30 working days of receiving them.

Step 3. Mail the Questionnaire to CMF

Send the completed form to CMF’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

Once approved, book your visit date and time through CDCR’s Visitation Scheduling Application (VSA) at cdcr.gtlvisitme.com/app. The scheduling window opens 6:00am for Friday visits (through Sunday 11:59pm), for Saturday visits (Friday 6:00am through Tuesday 11:59pm), and for Sunday visits (Saturday 6:00am through Wednesday 11:59pm). Appointments are processed before walk-ins.

CMF’s Visiting Hours

• Friday: 12:00pm to 6:00pm (no processing after 5:00pm)
• Saturday: 8:00am to 2:00pm (no processing after 1:00pm)
• Sunday: 8:00am to 2:00pm (no processing after 1:00pm)

You may come onto institutional grounds 30 minutes before processing starts, at 11:30am on Fridays and 7:30am on weekends. A maximum of 5 visitors is allowed for in-person contact visits, and 3 for non-contact. Children under 2 are welcome.

Walk-In Visits

CMF accepts walk-in visits on a first come, first served basis: Friday 3:00pm to 6:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday 11:00am to 2:00pm. Appointments that don’t arrive by 3:00pm on Fridays or 11:00am on weekends filter in with the walk-ins, so arrive on time to keep your appointment slot.

Hospice Visiting

Because CMF runs a licensed hospice, hospice visiting has its own schedule: Thursday and Friday 12:00pm to 6:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8:00am to 2:00pm. Approved loved ones do not need to schedule an appointment, and those keeping vigil are not held to these hours. Processing still stops at 5:00pm Thursday and Friday and 1:00pm on weekends.

Mental Health Crisis Bed Visits

Visits to someone in the Mental Health Crisis Bed unit are pre-approved case by case by the Inter-Disciplinary Treatment Team. These visits are non-contact, last up to one hour, and minors are not allowed unless the Warden or a designee approves it in advance. The unit can only host two visits at the same time, so contact the institution to arrange one.

Family Visiting and Instacart Food Orders

CMF offers extended Family Visiting, split into Monday-through-Thursday and Friday-through-Sunday groups. Since August 15, 2025, families order all family-visit food through Instacart. Order from one store only, and have groceries delivered 24 hours in advance between 6:00am and noon, with your loved one’s name and CDCR number noted for the driver to hand to visiting staff. Alcohol, non-alcoholic spirits, tobacco, energy drinks, chewing gum, and any items in glass containers are prohibited. Report to the visitor processing area by 10:00am, or the visit may be canceled.

What to Bring

Every adult visitor needs valid state or federal photo ID. You may bring a clear coin purse (maximum 6 by 8 inches), $100 per adult and $50 per minor in coins or one-dollar bills, one pair of prescription glasses, a small package of tissues (no bandanas), a non-metallic comb or brush, and up to 10 photos or documents. There are separate allowances for infant and toddler care items, and for medically necessary items with a doctor’s written statement.

Dress Code

CDCR’s attire rules apply at CMF. Shoes or sandals must be worn (no shower shoes or slippers), buttons and zippers stay fastened, and a thick-strapped undershirt at least 2 inches wide goes under any translucent clothing. Brassieres must be worn and cannot have metal underwire. Shorts and skirts, including slits, can’t expose more than two inches above the knee when standing. Avoid clothing that resembles inmate blues, law enforcement or military clothing, anything sheer or excessively tight, and head coverings or hairpieces without prior written approval.

What’s Not Allowed and Visit Termination

When the visiting room reaches capacity, staff may end the visits of those who have been there longest, and a scheduled appointment isn’t an exception. Exceptions include visitors who traveled 250 miles or more and haven’t visited in 30 days, a wedding that day, a disabled visitor who relies on special transportation, a family emergency, or an infrequent visitor who lives under 250 miles away and hasn’t visited in six months. The Visiting Sergeant’s line is (707) 448-6841 ext. 2208.

Video Visiting

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