Pelican Bay State Prison

By Chris Smith, 28 February, 2024
Name of Warden:
Stephen Smith
Description of Facility

Pelican Bay State Prison opened in 1989 to accommodate the growing prisoner population in California. This is a level I and IV facility that can house up to 3,724 inmates.

A Select 18 offenders can work in the California Prison Industry Authority jobs that include laundry. Vocational programs teach technical skills in computer literacy, yard crews, kitchen workers, and in maintenance and landscaping.

Facility Telephone Number
707-465-1000
Facility Address

Pelican Bay State Prison
5905 Lake Earl Drive
Crescent City, CA 95531
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate Name, CDCR#
Pelican Bay State Prison
P.O. Box 7500
Crescent City, CA 95532
United States

What you can send an inmate

   Inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison are allowed the following through the mail:

  • Letters
  • printed pages from the internet, newspaper clippings
  • photos 4x6 (no Polaroids, no nudity)
  • calendars
  • up to forty postage embossed envelopes
  • white or yellow lined writing paper (no cotton paper)
  • typing/legal paper (no cotton paper)
  • children's drawings
  • postage stamps (up to 40)

All mail must have the inmate's name and CDCR number on it, and a full return address.

 Inmates can receive quarterly packages sent through the following approved vendors:

How Inmate Calls Work

As of January 1, 2023 all calls made by inmates are free of charge.

  • Inmates must initiate the call, so provide them your phone number in correspondence
  • Calls are limited to 15 minutes in duration
  • Calls are recorded
How to send money to an inmate

To send money to an inmate incarcerated in California you will need their current location and their CDCR number.

You can send funds in three ways:

  • Through the internet via three providers
  • By mailing a check or money order to the institution
    • Make it payable to "CDCR"
    • Include the inmate's name and CDCR # on the check
    • Your name and address must appear on the check or money order
    • There is no fee using this method but it can take up to 30 days
  • Through the Centralized Banking Lock Box
    • Send personal check, money order, or cashier's check
    • Fill out the Deposit Form Coupon
    • Mail to:
      JPAY
      2002 South Figueroa St
      Box #3001
      Los Angeles, CA 90007
How to do an Inmate Search

   Find an inmate's CDCR number, current location, and sentencing information by searching the California inmate database.

Visiting Information/FAQs

You must have an approved visitors application on file before you can attend a visit.  You must request from the inmate CDCR Form 106.  This is the California Visiting Questionnaire form and it must be signed by the inmate before you can fill it out and send it back to the facility at the inmate mailing address and add: "Attention: Visiting".

The inmate will be informed if you are approved, and they must notify you of the approval.  If you are not approved, you will get a letter from the prison with an explanation of the reason.

Pelican Bay State Prison requires you to schedule your visit through California's VSA system.
   
In-Person Visiting Hours:
Fridays:  12:30pm-7:00pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 8:45am-2:45pm

ASU:
Fridays:  12:30pm-2:30pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 8:15am-11:15am

RCGP:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays:  8:45am-2:45pm

Walk in visitation:
Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00am-2:45pm

For more information contact the Visiting Sergeant at:
707-465-1000 Ext. 5425, 5420

View the visitation status for all California institutions here.

Bring a valid government issued photo ID in order to enter into visitation.  If you are entering visitation with a minor and you are the child's parent you will need to bring a certified copy of the minors birth certificate. 

Dress Code
The following clothing is not allowed:

  • Clothes that resembles the clothes of the inmate
  • Clothes that resemble law enforcement or military including camouflage
  • No skirts, dresses, or shorts that expose two inches above the knee or more
  • No halter tops, strapless tops, sheer, or see through, and may not expose the midriff
  • clothing that exposes any breast, genitalia or buttocks, including sheer material
  • No very tight fit/form fitting attire
  • No wigs or hairpieces or extensions (medical reasons require approval prior to your visit)
  • no flip flops, or shower shoes
  • no hats or gloves

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