What is Family Visiting?

Some incarcerated people are eligible for “family visits.” Family visits occur in private, apartment-like facilities on prison grounds and last approximately 30 to 40 hours. The following individuals are excluded from family visits: Incarcerated persons on Death Row, any incarcerated person with convictions for sex offenses, anyone in the Reception Centers process, or anyone under disciplinary restrictions. Family visits are restricted to immediate family members (parents, children, siblings, legal spouses, registered domestic partners, or who have a bona fide and verified foster relationship) of the incarcerated person. There are no age restrictions for prospective visitors.  Family visits are further restricted by availability. An eligible incarcerated person must put in an application for a family visit with their assigned correctional counselor at the prison. Further inquiries about family visiting should be directed by the incarcerated person to their counselor or by the family to the respective institution visiting staff.

How often can we have a family visit?

Family visits are scheduled in order of receipt by the Family Visiting Coordinator. Due to the high number of eligible incarcerated persons at San Quentin, you may have to wait up to 90-120 days in between your family visits.

What kind of food can we eat during family visits and how do we order it?

San Quentin family visitors will receive a menu from their counselors and/or the Family Visiting Coordinator. The menu is from a local grocery store (Safeway). Family visitors will check the boxes of the items they want.

How do I pay for the food for family visits?

If your loved one does not owe restitution, money can be put on their inmate trust account which will be removed by the facility. You can send the amount via GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections.

If your loved one owes restitution, you can complete the Exemption of Family Visit form so the money sent for family visiting will not have restitution taken out of the amount you sent.

You can send a money order made out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with your incarcerated loved one’s name and CDCR number. Mail the money order to:

Attention: Accounting/Cashier

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center

1 Main St.

San Quentin, CA 94974

It is recommended you send in the money at least 30 days or more before your family visiting date to ensure the funds are available. If not, your family visit day may be rescheduled to a future date.

***The funds for your family visiting food MUST be received by the facility or on your loved ones account at least 6 weeks prior to your visit. If not, your visit will be canceled and the family visiting coordinator will offer the date to next family on the list***

How long are family visits at San Quentin?

Typically check-in is at 10:00 AM on the day of your visit. You will be in the family visit for approximately 46 hours and will be picked up at approximately 8:00-8:30 AM.

What is there to do during family visits?

During the check-in process, family members may select from a variety of activity books, reading books, board games, children’s toys, DVDs, and an X-box gaming console with preloaded games.

Is there a standby list in case someone cancels?

No. There is no standby list. The DOM specifically prohibits standby family visits.

Per the DOM, “Standby family visits are not authorized.”