Visiting Status
Centinela State Prison (CEN)

What should be included in the email (all items are mandatory):

Full name of Incarcerated Person 
CDCR Number of Incarcerated Person
Approved visitor(s) full names(s)
Date of birth of approved visitor(s)
Valid identification type and number of visitor(s)
Relationship to the Incarcerated Person
 

REMINDER: Upon arriving to the gray brick wall outside the Institution, visitors must form a line in their vehicles and wait for the Outside Patrol Sergeant to arrive in a state vehicle to allow visitors to come into the Institution for visiting.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THE NUMBER OF JEWELRY ITEMS ALLOWED FOR VISITORS WILL BE LIMITED. ONLY THE FOLLOWING WILL BE PERMITTED: TWO RINGS, TWO NECKLACES, TWO CHARMS, AND TWO BRACELETS. SPANDEX OR BIKER SHORTS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

No Walk-in Visitors will be allowed for Non-Contact visits.  

Be advised that upon the maximum capacity of the visiting area being reached and to allow others to visit, it is necessary to terminate the visits of those persons who have been visiting for the longest period of time. Scheduled visitation appointments are not an exception to termination.

Exceptions shall include, but are not limited to the following:

Excessive Distance: The visitor has traveled 250 miles or more and has not visited within the last 30 days.

Weddings: When an inmate and the visitor’s marriage ceremony occurred on that day.

Disabled: A disabled visitor who must rely on special transportation to the institution/facility.

Family Emergencies: When death, serious illness or injury occurs to an inmate’s immediate family.

Infrequent Visits: When the visitor has not visited the inmate in the last six months

Access to Institution Affected

CDCR urges those traveling to our institutions to plan ahead for a safe trip. Before heading to an institution for an in-person visit, download the QuickMap app or visit https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/  for up-to-the-minute information on road conditions, traffic, closures, chain control, and more.
If an institution must cancel visiting due to conditions such as weather, those with an appointment will receive a notice through the Visitation Scheduling Application (VSA). If you plan on participating in a walk-in visit, please contact the institution beforehand.

Visitation Information

CEN currently offers in person visits (See hours below). You must schedule utilizing the (VSA) at https://cdcr.gtlvisitme.com/app scheduling application. The request period begins eight days before the visitation day and closes five days before the visitation day. Schedule visits are afforded one hour grace period to arrive to their schedule appointment.

Restrictive Housing Unit (RHU) C6, and All Non-contact visits submit your request via email to: CENVIDEOVISITING@CDCR.CA.GOV from Saturday 8:00 hours through Monday 8:00 hours. C6 and all non-contact visits are one hour duration.

As a reminder, an original certified birth certificate must be presented by an adult accompanying a minor (18 years or younger) at all times, regardless of the child’s previous visits to CEN. Entry will be denied to visitors who do not possess a birth certificate. Additionally, adults are required to show a valid photo ID that is not expired in order to visit.

Please be advised that all legal documents, such as notarized documents, must be the original copies. There are no exceptions.

Allowable items for an infant (less than 12 months of age) or a toddler (12 to 36 months of age): A combination of six factory-sealed single-serving packets of baby formula or four transparent plastic baby bottles or cups that are empty or contain premixed formula, milk, almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, lactose-free milk, juice, or water; a breast pump and associated supplies; and refrigerated or frozen breastmilk. Six non-glass containers of baby food or snacks in sealed packaging, two plastic spoons, ten disposable diapers, one sealed package of baby wipes, three changes of clothing, two small blankets, two pacifiers, three burp cloths, diaper cream, a baby carrier or wrap and a clear plastic bag for all items.

Please visit https://gtlvisitme.com/app to schedule a visit.

Visiting Sergeant Phone Number

(760) 337-7900 Ext. 5804 

Facility Visitation Email

CENVideoVisiting@cdcr.ca.gov 

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In-Person Visitation

Friday: 11:45 hours – 18:30 hours 

Overcrowding terminations begin at 15:30 hours

No visitors will be processed after 17:30 hours

Saturday: 08:15 hours – 15:00 hours

Overcrowding terminations begin at 12:00

No visitors will be processed after 14:00 hours

Sunday: 08:15 hours – 15:00 hours

Overcrowding terminations begin at 12:00 hours

No visitors will be processed after 14:00 hours

Walk-in Visitation Instructions

Walk-In Visits are accepted and processed on a first come first serve basis.

Friday walk-in visits begin at 15:30 hours -17:30 hours

Saturday and Sunday walk-in visits begin at 12:00 hours-14:00 hours

Walk-ins may arrive as early as the earliest appointment but will be processed based on availability until 15:30 hours on Fridays and 12:00 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Visitor Center Services (Friends Outside Trailer) offers transportation and attire services for visitors. Non-approve visitors are not allowed to drop off or pickup visitors inside institutional grounds. Contact the Visitor Center for transportation inside institutional grounds.

Tuesday: 07:30-11:30 hours

Friday: 11:00 hours- 1900 hours

Saturday/Sunday: 07:30 hours-15:30 hours