North Kern uses a separate P.O. Box for each yard, so you need the person's current housing to address a letter correctly.
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North Kern State Prison handles inmate mail differently from most CDCR prisons: instead of one shared inmate box, it routes mail through a separate P.O. Box for each facility (yard). That means you need to know the person’s current housing, Facility A, B, C, D, or M, to address a letter correctly. Confirm their housing on CIRIS before you send anything, especially since North Kern is a reception center where people move quickly.
Use this format, filling in the P.O. Box that matches the person’s current yard:
[Full Legal Name, CDCR Number]
North Kern State Prison, Facility [A/B/C/D/M]
P.O. Box [see below]
Delano, CA 93216-0567
Unlike most CDCR prisons, North Kern doesn’t use one inmate mail box. Each facility has its own:
If you use the wrong box, mail can be delayed while it’s rerouted, or returned. Confirm the person’s yard on CIRIS first.
North Kern is a reception center, so people are often reclassified and moved, sometimes to a different yard or a different institution entirely. A letter addressed to Facility A won’t reach someone who’s been moved to Facility D or transferred out. Recheck CIRIS close to when you mail.
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 JPay 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 North Kern 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 or check CDCR’s approved vendors page for the current process.
6 of 8 questions
It depends on the person's yard. Use Delano, CA 93216-0567 with the matching P.O. Box: Facility A and M Box 5000, Facility B Box 4999, Facility C Box 5004, Facility D Box 5005. Always include the person's full name and CDCR number.
MailNorth Kern routes inmate mail through a separate P.O. Box per facility (yard) instead of one shared box. You need to know the person's current housing to use the right one. Confirm it on CIRIS before mailing.
MailMail can be delayed while it's rerouted between yards, or returned to sender. Because North Kern is a reception center where housing changes fast, recheck the person's yard on CIRIS close to when you mail.
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.
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.
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 JPay for electronic deposits, or mail a check or money order payable to CDCR to the institution at P.O. Box 567, Delano, CA 93216-0567.
MailConfirm the person's yard and CDCR number before you mail.
View ArticleGet approved with CDCR Form 106, then schedule through VSA.
View ArticleUse JPay 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 18, 2026.