CMC uses one P.O. Box for everyone, but you still need the person's specific housing on the envelope.
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California Men’s Colony uses a single P.O. Box for every incarcerated person at the institution, instead of splitting mail by facility the way some CDCR prisons do. That said, CMC is made up of two complexes and nine housing facilities, so the address still needs the person’s full name, CDCR number, and current housing designation written on the envelope so mail reaches the right unit. Confirm their housing on CIRIS before you send anything.
Use this exact format:
[Full Legal Name, CDCR Number]
California Men's Colony
P.O. Box 8101
Attn: [Housing, e.g. Facility A, Unit 3]
San Luis Obispo, CA 93409-8101
CMC doesn’t split its P.O. Box by facility, so P.O. Box 8101 is correct no matter which of the nine housing facilities the person is in. But CMC is genuinely two complexes on one property: East Facility (Level III, Facilities A, B, C, D, H) and West Facility (Level I/II, Facilities E, F, G, M). Leaving off the person’s specific housing can slow down internal mail sorting even though the box number itself is right. Ask the person for their current facility letter and unit, and put it on the envelope every time, since housing assignments do change.
People move between CMC’s facilities and even between the East and West complex. Recheck with the person directly, or check CIRIS, close to when you mail, especially if it’s been a while since your last letter.
Standard letters, greeting cards, and photos are generally accepted. Keep to plain paper and cards without stickers, glitter, tape, or anything glued on, since those get mail rejected. Don’t send cash; use an electronic deposit or a check or money order payable to CDCR for money.
Photos are generally allowed within CDCR’s limits: no Polaroids, since the backing can conceal contraband, and nothing larger than 8x10. Avoid nude or sexually explicit images, gang-related content, and anything depicting drugs or weapons, which will be rejected. There’s usually a limit on how many photos per envelope, so send a reasonable number and confirm current limits with the institution if you plan to send many. You can also send photos through Pigeonly without printing anything yourself. Upload the photos online and Pigeonly prints and mails them to CMC for you.
Incoming personal mail is opened and inspected for contraband before delivery. If a piece is rejected, the person is typically notified and told why, and the item may be returned to sender or held. Following the plain-paper, no-attachments rules is the best way to avoid a rejection.
Legal mail, clearly marked from an attorney, court, or public official, is handled separately. It’s opened only in the presence of the incarcerated person to check for contraband and is not read. Mark legal mail clearly on the outside so it’s routed correctly.
You can’t mail a personal package straight to the person. Approved packages, including quarterly packages, come through CDCR’s contracted package vendor, which the person or an approved family member orders from. Contact the institution at (805) 547-7900 or check CDCR’s approved vendors page for the current process.
6 of 11 questions
P.O. Box 8101, San Luis Obispo, CA 93409-8101. Include the person's full legal name and CDCR number, plus their current housing designation, since everyone at CMC shares the same box number.
MailYes. CMC uses one box for the whole institution, but it has nine housing facilities across two complexes. Including the person's facility letter and unit helps mail get sorted to the right place, even though it doesn't change the box number.
MailMail can take longer to reach the right unit if the housing line is missing, since CMC has multiple facilities sharing one box. Include the person's current facility and unit whenever you know it.
MailAsk them directly in a call or letter, or check CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, since housing assignments can change between the East and West complex or between units.
MailYes, within CDCR's limits: no Polaroids and nothing larger than 8x10. Avoid nudity, gang references, and images of drugs or weapons, which get rejected. There's usually a per-envelope limit, so send a reasonable number. You can also send photos through Pigeonly, which prints and mails them for you.
MailNew books and magazines generally must come directly from an approved publisher or vendor, not mailed by you personally. Check CDCR's approved vendors and disapproved-publications rules before ordering.
MailNo. Personal packages aren't accepted directly. Approved packages come through CDCR's contracted package vendor, ordered by the person or an approved family member.
MailLegal mail marked from an attorney, court, or public official is opened only in front of the incarcerated person to check for contraband, and is not read. Mark it clearly on the outside.
MailIncoming mail is opened and inspected before delivery, so allow extra time beyond normal postal delivery. There's no guaranteed delivery window.
MailStickers, glitter, tape, glued-on items, cash, Polaroids, oversized photos, and any content seen as contraband, gang-related, or explicit. Stick to plain paper and cards.
MailNever send cash. Use an electronic deposit through GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections, or mail a check or money order payable to CDCR to the person's P.O. Box. See the CDCR send-money guide for details.
MailConfirm the person's housing and CDCR number before you mail.
View ArticleGet approved with CDCR Form 106, then schedule through VSA.
View ArticleUse an EFT vendor or a check payable to CDCR instead of cash.
View ArticleStay in touch between letters with free calls.
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All information on this page comes directly from official government and facility sources. How we verify information › Last verified July 20, 2026.