How to Visit Someone at Salinas Valley State Prison

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. If you’re unsure of exact dates, give your best approximate answer instead of leaving it blank.

Step 3. Mail the Questionnaire to Salinas Valley

Send the completed form to the Visiting Department at Salinas Valley State Prison. 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. Wait for Approval or Denial

If approved, both you and the incarcerated person are notified, and you’re added to the system as an approved visitor. You don’t need to carry proof of approval with you. If denied, you’ll get a letter explaining why. You can resubmit a corrected questionnaire, or appeal in writing to the Warden, and then to CDCR’s Division of Adult Institutions if you disagree with the outcome.

Step 5. 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. Appointments are processed before walk-ins. Call (831) 678-5500 to confirm hours before you travel.

Salinas Valley’s Visiting Hours

• Friday: 12:00pm to 6:30pm
• Saturday: 8:30am to 3:00pm
• Sunday: 8:30am to 3:00pm

Contact Walk-In Visits

If the person has contact visiting privileges, you can walk in without a VSA appointment during the walk-in windows: Friday 12:30pm to 5:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 2:00pm. A scheduled appointment is still more reliable, since appointments are processed first and the visiting room has a capacity limit.

Non-Contact Visits

Non-contact visits are by appointment only, because the number of non-contact booths is limited. A maximum of 3 visitors is allowed for a non-contact visit, including children. Confirm the person’s current visiting status before you come, since it can change.

Overnight Family Visiting

Salinas Valley offers extended Family Visiting by appointment, on a Sunday-to-Wednesday or Wednesday-to-Saturday schedule. Families check in between 8:30 and 11:00am at the Visiting Processing Center by Tower 1. Family Visiting is separate from regular visiting, so contact the institution about eligibility and what you can bring.

What to Bring

Every adult visitor needs valid, unexpired photo ID: a driver’s license from any state, a state DMV ID card, a military ID, an ICE identification card, a US or foreign passport, or a Mexican Consulate photo ID. You don’t need to bring proof of your visitor approval since it’s tracked electronically.

Bringing Children

Minors under 18 must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor. Bring a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. If a parent brings their own child, the birth certificate is enough. If someone other than the legal parent or guardian brings the child, you also need a notarized Minor Consent Form, renewed each calendar year.

Dress Code

CDCR’s attire rules apply at Salinas Valley. Avoid anything resembling state-issued clothing (blue chambray or denim), law enforcement or military-style clothing, and anything metal that won’t clear a detector, like an underwire bra. Specific restrictions include no strapless, halter, bare midriff, sheer, or transparent clothing, no skirts or shorts more than two inches above the knee, no clothing exposing the breast, genitals, or buttocks, and no tight or form-fitting attire. Children under 36 inches tall are exempt from the color and material rules but still clear the metal detector.

What’s Not Allowed

Visitors can be turned away for clothing that doesn’t meet the dress code, for being under the influence, or for bringing prohibited items into the visiting area. If an officer says your outfit isn’t acceptable and you believe it complies, you can ask to speak with the Visiting Sergeant or Lieutenant, who has the final say. The Visiting Sergeant’s line is (831) 678-5500 ext. 5707.

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.