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This page lists all 113 state prisons in California. You can browse by county below, search for specific facilities, or navigate to related pages.
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About State Prisons in California
Understanding state prisons in the California
Welcome to the most comprehensive and up-to-date directory of state prisons in California. This page lists every active state correctional facility operating in California, providing families, legal professionals, researchers, and the general public with fast, reliable access to accurate information about state-level incarceration. Whether you need to locate an incarcerated loved one, find contact details for a specific facility, understand visitation procedures, or simply learn how the state prison system works in California, everything you need is right here.
Understanding the State Prison System in California
All state prisons listed on this page are operated by California's Department of Corrections (DOC). The DOC is responsible for the custody, care, and rehabilitation of all individuals serving felony sentences under California state law.
The state prison system is structured around a classification system that assigns each inmate to a facility based on factors including the severity of their offense, criminal history, behavior, and programming needs.
Types of State Prisons in California
The directory below includes multiple types of state correctional facilities:
- Minimum Security Facilities: Lowest security level with access to work release or community programs.
- Medium Security Facilities: Most common classification, housing the largest share of the state's inmate population.
- Maximum Security Facilities: High-security institutions for inmates who pose greater safety risks.
- Supermax / Administrative Segregation: Most restrictive housing for serious infractions or exceptional security risks.
- State Correctional Centers for Women: Facilities with specialized programming including parenting classes and trauma-informed care.
- Medical Facilities: Facilities providing ongoing medical or mental health care to inmates.
- Youthful Offender Facilities: Facilities for younger adult offenders with age-appropriate programming.
How to Use This Directory
This page is designed to make finding state prison information as simple as possible:
- Browse the full list of all state prisons in California by scrolling through the directory below.
- Filter by county using the county dropdown to narrow down results to a specific region.
- Switch states using the state selector to load a directory of state prisons in any other US state.
- Click any facility in the list to open its dedicated page with full contact details and visitation information.
- Search for an inmate using our free inmate locator tool on each facility page.
Finding an Inmate in a State Prison in California
If you are trying to locate a specific person currently incarcerated in a state prison in California, click on any facility in the list below to access its dedicated inmate search tool, or use our free US inmate locator to search by name across all state correctional facilities simultaneously. You can also search directly through California's Department of Corrections official website if you have the inmate's full legal name or DOC identification number.
Visiting a State Prison
Visiting requires advance planning and prior approval. All visitors must submit an application and receive written approval before their first visit. Click any facility to view specific visitation guidelines and download the visitor application.
Legal Help & Appeals
Unlike jails, individuals in state prison have already been sentenced. However, if your loved one is still in pretrial or sentencing phase, a skilled criminal defense attorney can negotiate plea agreements and potentially reduce sentence length.
Calling an Inmate
Phone calls are outbound only. Your number must be registered and approved with the facility's phone provider, and a prepaid account needs to be funded. Read our inmate calling guide for setup instructions.
Sending Money
Inmates rely on commissary funds for hygiene products, food items, clothing, and phone credits. Methods include online transfers, kiosk deposits, money orders, or approved third-party services depending on the facility.
Programs & Education
Most state prisons offer rehabilitative programs including GED and literacy education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and religious services. Check individual facility pages for availability.
Daily Life Inside
State prisons operate on structured daily schedules including wake-up times, meal periods, work or program assignments, recreation time, and lights-out. Inmates are assigned to housing units based on security classification and behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
State Prisons by County in California
View facilities organized by county
Filter State Prisons by County
California has State Prisons spread across dozens of counties, and finding the right one quickly can be challenging without the right tools. Use the county list below to instantly narrow results and view only the State Prisons in a specific county within California. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to locate someone who was recently arrested in a specific area, or if you are planning a visit and need to find the closest facility to your location.
All State Prisons in California
Complete listing of state prisons
Browse the Complete List of State Prisons in California
The full directory of state prisons in California is displayed below. Every active state correctional facility operated by California's Department of Corrections is included. Each entry includes the facility's name, location, county, security classification, and contact details. State prisons house individuals convicted of felony offenses serving sentences longer than one year and offer a broad range of rehabilitative, educational, and vocational programs.
State Prisons in Other States
Browse state prisons in other states
Explore State Prisons in Other States
Looking for state prisons beyond California? We've got you covered. Use the state selectors below to instantly switch to a full directory of state prisons in any other US state. Whether you need to look up facilities in a neighboring state or search across the country, our nationwide directory makes it simple to find the information you need in just a few clicks.