CDCR - Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)

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CDCR – Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 619-661-6500

The inmates housed at Richard Donovan Correctional located at 480 Alto Rd in San Diego, CA are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJDCF) is a multi-mission institution is to provide housing for General Population and SNY, Level I, II, III & IV inmates serving their term of incarceration at RJDCF. RJDCF provides health care services and rehabilitative programs to inmates while incarcerated at RJDCF. RJDCF is a designated institution for inmates with severe mental illness, inmates with developmental disabilities and is responsible for providing officer coverage for inmates being treated in community hospitals throughout San Diego County.

Sensitive Needs Yard (SNY): There are currently three facilities at RJDCF which are designated as SNY. SNY inmates are those inmates that are remanded to the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) but due to safety concerns, they are separated from General Population inmates to serve their term of incarceration. SNY inmates have the opportunity to work and attend education programs that include Adult Basic Education, college courses, GED programs, Career Technical Education (Carpentry, Welding, Electronics, Building Maintenance), Inmate Work Labor and a multitude of voluntary programs that afford the inmates opportunities for self-improvement.

General Population: General Population inmates are those inmates that are remanded to the custody of the CDCR to serve their term of incarceration. The General Population inmates at RJDCF provide support to the institution by working maintenance, food service, janitorial, as well as other jobs that serve in supporting the operation of the prison. General Population inmates also have the opportunity to attend education programs that include Adult Basic Education, GED programs, Career Technical Education (Computer Literacy, Building Maintenance, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning – HVAC, and Machine Shop) and a multitude of other voluntary programs that afford the inmates opportunities for self-improvement.

Bakery/Shoe Factory/Laundry – CALPIA operates a fully functioning bakery which produces 9,760 loaves of wheat bread daily. The shoe factory produces 1,000 pairs of shoes daily. The laundry provides service for VA hospitals and local prisons. CALPIA also employees inmates in maintenance, warehouse, and also implemented the Health Care Facility Maintenance program. Over 200 inmates are employed and learn job skills through CALPIA Enterprises at RJDCF.

Institution Details and Programs

In August 2012, the institution changed from its previous reception center mission, and completed the conversion of three of its five facilities to SNY. RJDCF’s other missions include housing and providing treatment to inmates with severe mental illnesses, inmates which have been identified as having medium to high risk medical concerns.

The Institution Hearing Program (IHP) at R. J. Donovan is designed to prepare inmates who are illegal immigrants for release to USINS custody and the return to their native lands.

Participants in the substance abuse treatment (SAT) program are provided intensive substance abuse treatment and support during incarceration and parole.

Religious services are provided for inmates of all denominations. This includes but not limited to; Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish and Native American services. Currently, there are approximately 600 volunteers who are actively involved with rehabilitative and religious programs Kairos, Celebrate Recovery, Ramadan, Bible College, High Holy Days, Alternatives to Violence, Criminal Gangs Anonymous Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous and RAPHA.

Inmate Healthcare

The healthcare providers at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility are aware that friends and family members have a special interest in the health and well-being of their loved ones. However, information can only be shared with those individuals that the patient has given the authorization to receive. Please advise the patient to obtain an Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information form (CDCR-7385) from a healthcare provider. Once completed and on file, information can be shared with you. Once approved, you may call 619-661-6500, extension 7088, and a representative will return your call within five business days.

Rehabilitative inmate leisure activities include social, educational, recreational, and mentoring groups. The RJDCF offers study in the areas of Recycling and Green Industries; Food Handling; Coastline College; Creative Writing; and the highly acclaimed Thinking for a Change. Inmates may also participate in a Veteran's Group and other volunteer-led community service activities.

Academic opportunities include Literacy and Adult Basic Education through GED. Vocational opportunities include the Machine Shop, Welding, and HVAC.

Religious services are provided for inmates of all denominations. The RJDCF employs a Catholic Priest, a Protestant Chaplain, a Muslim Imam, a Native American Spiritual Leader, and a Jewish Rabbi. Additionally, nearly (430) volunteers provide volunteer-led religious and other programs such as KAIROS, Alternatives to Violence/Hands of Peace, the Urban Ministries Institute (TUMI), and many other faith-based programs. Additionally, California Prison Industries Authority (CALPIA) employs inmates at the RJDCF in its laundry, bakery, and casual shoe factory.

Inmate Programs

CALPIA: Bakery, Laundry, Casual Shoe Factory
Vocational: Welding/Machine Shop/HVAC
Academic: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, Pre-Release, English as a Second Language, Literacy Program, and Limited College Courses
Other: Community Service Crews, Youth Diversion, Religious, Bicycle Refurbishing, Victim Awareness, and Drug Treatment/Diversion

DRP PROGRAMS:

Adult Basic Education, Arts-in-Corrections, CalID, Carpentry, Computer Literacy, Electronics, General Education, HVAC, Library Services, Machine Shop, Physical Education, Substance Use Disorder, Voluntary Education, Welding

Family Liaison Service Specialist

CDCR provides through a contract with a community-based organization an on-site Case Manager as a family reunification liaison for inmates and family members, to assist with an inmates pre-release preparation; and conduct Parenting and Creative Conflict Resolution classes for inmates. Please call the Institution to contact the Family Reunification Liaison.

CDCR – Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) – Visitation Guide
CDCR – Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) – Inmate Packages
CDCR – Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) – Parole Information

visitation Info

CDCR – Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) – Visitation

Visiting a CDCR facility must be conducted in a manner that maintains order, safety, and security of the people and facility. Failure to comply with the established regulations and policies may result in a warning or termination, suspension, or revocation of your visiting privileges.

Recommended Steps Before Visiting:

Read Visitation Guidelines to understand what you can expect and what is expected of you
Find out in which facility your inmate is housed
Schedule a visit online using the VPASS system
The day of your scheduled visit, check the Visiting Status to ensure the institution is accepting visitors

Visitation Guidelines

Refer to the Department's current policies and regulations in Title 15and the Department Operations Manual if you want to know more.

Locate Inmate

Use the Inmate Locator to find an inmate and what facility they are housed in.

Schedule Visit

Sign-up or log into VPASS to schedule an inmate visit. VPASS stands for Visitor Processing Appointment Scheduling System. Note: this requires creating an online account.

Check Visiting Status

You can find out the visiting status of a CDCR facility in one of two ways:

Call the Visiting Status Hotline at 1-800-374-8474
Check the VPASS Visiting Status; locate the facility you plan to visit.

You should always do this the day you plan to visit, because visitation can sometimes be unexpectedly cancelled.