How to Send Mail and Photos to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center

Correct Mailing Address

CDCR’s own guidance for San Quentin Rehabilitation Center says to include the person’s last known housing and bed number along with their name and CDCR number.

[Full Legal Name] [CDCR Number] [Housing/Bed Number]
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
San Quentin, CA 94974

Housing and bed numbers can change if the person transfers within the prison. Check CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov before you mail anything to confirm their current housing location, especially if a letter was recently returned.

Letters and Envelopes

• Use plain white envelopes. No glitter, stickers, tape, perfume, or crayon.
• Standard greeting cards are accepted if they follow the same rules.
• Do not include cash, stamps, or blank paper for the person to reuse.
• All non-legal mail is opened and inspected before delivery.

Photos

• Standard photo prints are usually accepted.
• No Polaroids and no photos taped together.
• Nothing explicit, sexual, gang related, or violent.
• You can also send digital photos to the person’s tablet through the prison messaging provider.

Books, Magazines, and Newspapers

• Books and magazines must generally come from an approved retailer or publisher.
• Confirm current publication rules before ordering. Some titles are disapproved.

Legal Mail

Legal mail is handled separately and is opened only in front of the incarcerated person. Mark attorney mail clearly as legal or confidential.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center is through Pigeonly. Upload your photos or write your letter online, and Pigeonly prints and mails everything to the prison for you, following the mail rules above.