Calipatria State Prison (CAL) is a CDCR Level IV men's institution in Imperial County, at 184 feet below sea level, the lowest-elevation prison in the Western Hemisphere. It's made up of Facilities A, B, C, and D, an Administrative Segregation Unit, and a Minimum Support Facility. Warden Roberto A. Arias has led the institution since March 2024. This guide covers CDCR's statewide inmate locator, Calipatria's visiting process, sending money, free phone calls, and mail rules. All data is verified from cdcr.ca.gov.
City
Calipatria
County
Imperial County
State
CA
Facility Type
state prison
Gender
Male
Capacity
Not published by CDCR as a fixed number; check the current Weekly Population Report
Custody Levels
Level IV, with Facilities A, B, C, D, an Administrative Segregation Unit, and a Minimum Support Facility
Operator
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Address
7018 Blair Road, Calipatria, CA 92233
Phone
(760) 348-7000
Inmate Locator
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CDCR runs one statewide inmate search tool, not a separate tool per prison. Here's how to confirm someone is at Calipatria.
View ArticleYou need CDCR Form 106 approval first, then you book your visit through the statewide VSA system, plus a strict walk-in process along Blair Road.
View ArticleCDCR's statewide money process, covering EFT vendors and mailed checks or money orders.
View ArticleAll outgoing calls from Calipatria are free. Here's what we do and don't know about the tablet and video provider.
View ArticleCalipatria splits mail into 8 different boxes by purpose and housing facility. Get the right box before you send anything.
View ArticleCDCR runs one statewide inmate search tool, CIRIS, not a separate tool per facility. Search by name or CDCR number, then confirm the result lists Calipatria State Prison.
See the full breakdownYou need CDCR Form 106 signed by the incarcerated person and mailed in for approval before you can schedule anything. Once approved, book through the statewide VSA system, or line up on Blair Road for a limited walk-in window.
See the full breakdownCDCR uses one statewide money process: EFT through GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections, or a check or money order payable to CDCR. See the full CDCR send-money guide.
See the full breakdownAll outgoing voice calls are free statewide, limited to 15 minutes. We could not confirm which tablet and video provider Calipatria currently uses, so confirm with the institution directly.
See the full breakdownCalipatria publishes 8 separate P.O. Boxes: general institution mail, legal mail, inmate funds, 4 housing facilities, and MSF/FH/ASU. Sending to the wrong box can delay delivery.
See the full breakdown6 of 9 questions
Use CIRIS, the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search, at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. Search by name or CDCR number, then confirm the result lists Calipatria State Prison.
Inmate SearchFriday 11:30am to 6:00pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8:30am to 3:00pm. The last visitor is processed 60 minutes before closing, and no one is processed after 4:30pm Friday or 1:30pm on weekends.
VisitationYes. CDCR Form 106, the Visitor Questionnaire (revision date 05/17), must be signed by the incarcerated person and mailed in for a background check before you can be approved to visit. We didn't find a Calipatria-specific handbook beyond this standard CDCR process.
VisitationIt depends on what you're sending. General personal mail goes to P.O. Box 5001, Calipatria, CA 92233-5001. Legal mail, inmate funds, and each housing facility (A, B, C, D) each have their own separate box. See the mail and photos guide for the full breakdown.
MailCDCR uses one statewide money process. Send electronically through GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections. See the full CDCR send-money guide for details.
Send MoneyAll outgoing voice calls are free statewide, limited to 15 minutes. We couldn't confirm which company currently runs Calipatria's tablet and video system. Call (760) 348-7000 ext. 5716 to ask before you set up an account.
Phone CallsYes. Calipatria State Prison sits at 184 feet below sea level, making it the lowest-elevation prison in the Western Hemisphere. A flagpole at the entrance is built tall enough that the flag flies at sea level.
AboutYes. A contracted Family Liaison Service Specialist helps with pre-release preparation and runs Parenting and Creative Conflict Resolution classes. Calipatria also offers NCCER-certified vocational training in Carpentry, HVAC, Electrical, and Electronics/Computer Literacy, plus Adult Basic Education and GED programs.
AboutCalipatria State Prison (CAL) is a CDCR Level IV men's institution in Imperial County, made up of Facilities A, B, C, and D, an Administrative Segregation Unit, and a Minimum Support Facility. Warden Roberto A. Arias has led the institution since March 2024. Calipatria runs NCCER-certified vocational programs, academic education, and a family liaison service for pre-release planning.
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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. Official source: cdcr.ca.gov/facility-locator/cal ›