CDCR – Valley State Prison (VSP)

CDCR – Valley State Prison (VSP) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 559-665-6100

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Valley State Prison located at 21633 Ave 24 in Chowchilla, 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.

The Valley State Prison (VSP) is a state penal institution that functions as a Level II, General Population institution housing inmates requiring Sensitive Needs Yard (SNY) placement and it houses inmates who are assigned to the Enhanced Outpatient Program (EOP). The EOP provides a higher level of mental health treatment for inmate requiring a more enhanced treatment plan with mental health staff.

VSP has been identified as a Re-Entry hub for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). As a Re-Entry hub, VSP will focus on needs-based rehabilitative services to include substance abuse and cognitive behavioral training. VSP offers educational and vocational training, along with work skills training through the Prison Industry Authority Optical and Laundry programs.

Institutional History

The original name for VSP was Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW). VSPW housed multi-level female felons and served CDCR as the state’s only Security Housing Unit (SHU) for the female offender population. The result of a new law saw a decrease in the female offender population and the recidivism rate and an opportunity arose to utilize VSPW to house level II SNY male inmates.

In October 2012, VSPW began a historic conversion from an all-female institution to an all-male institution. In January 2013, the conversion was successfully completed and the name changed to Valley State Prison or VSP.

PROGRAMS:
Adult Basic Education, Anger Management, Arts in Corrections, Auto Mechanics, Building Maintenance, CalID , Computer Literacy, Cosmetology, Criminal Thinking, Electrical, Electronics, Family Relationships, General Education Development, High School Diploma, Library Services, Masonry, Offender Mentor Certification, Office Services, Physical Education, Small Engine Repair, Substance Use Disorder, Transitions, Voluntary Education, Welding

CDCR – Valley State Prison (VSP) – Visitation Guide
CDCR – Valley State Prison (VSP) – Inmate Packages
CDCR – Valley State Prison (VSP) – Parole Information

visitation Info

CDCR – Valley State Prison (VSP) – 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:

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

 Visitation Guidelines

• Guidelines for Visiting Adult Prisons 
• Guidelines for Visiting Juvenile Facilities

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.