Mail and Photos to Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility

The Correct Mailing Address

Address letters and cards to:

[Full Legal Name, CDCR Number] Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility 480 Alta Road San Diego, CA 92179

Always include the recipient’s full legal name and CDCR number. Without the CDCR number, mailroom staff may not be able to match the letter to the right person, especially if the name is common.

RJD Doesn’t Use a Separate P.O. Box

Unlike some CDCR institutions that split mail into staff, inmate, and money-order boxes, RJD’s own facility page lists only its physical street address for correspondence. Use the same address, 480 Alta Road, San Diego, CA 92179, for letters, photos, and mailed money orders, always with the recipient’s full name and CDCR number clearly marked.

How Mail Gets Processed

Incoming letters are opened and visually inspected for contraband before being forwarded to the recipient. RJD handles this directly at the institution.

Getting Someone’s CDCR Number

If you don’t already have the recipient’s CDCR number, search for them on CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov, or call the institution’s Public Information Officer for help confirming their housing and number.

Sending Emails and Photos Through the Tablet System

As of this guide’s last verification, RJD is still on ViaPath Technologies for tablet-based e-messages and photos, with a transition to Securus Technologies scheduled to begin August 10, 2026. Check which platform is currently active before setting up an account, since the fee per e-message or photo differs slightly between the two providers.

Sending Packages

CDCR only allows packages through its approved outside vendors, not items purchased and mailed from home. Check CDCR’s current list of approved package vendors before ordering anything, since unapproved packages will be rejected and returned or destroyed instead of delivered.

What’s Not Allowed

CDCR inspects all incoming mail for contraband, including drugs, weapons, and unauthorized electronics. Sexually explicit material, material depicting or encouraging violence, and anything that could help someone escape are also prohibited. If a letter or package is rejected, the mailroom typically returns it to the sender or notifies the recipient of the rejection, depending on what it contains.

If Something Gets Rejected

If your letter or package doesn’t make it through, you can contact RJD’s mailroom directly to ask why. Confirm you addressed it correctly and included the CDCR number, since incomplete or incorrect addressing is one of the most common reasons mail gets delayed or returned.