Corcoran State Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Corcoran State Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Level III / SHU
- Inmate Capacity
- 4,500 approx.
- Established
- 1988
- Operated By
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Corcoran State Prison Inmate Communication Overview
California State Prison, Corcoran, commonly called Corcoran State Prison, is a Level III and IV state correctional facility operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, located in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley in Kings County, about 60 miles south of Fresno and roughly 200 miles north of Los Angeles. Opened in 1988, it also houses a Security Housing Unit designed for inmates who require the most restrictive housing available within the CDCR system. Over the years, the facility has housed a number of high-profile inmates, and it has been the subject of significant legal proceedings related to its SHU program. Following California's reforms to the SHU system in the mid-2010s, the facility's restrictive housing program has changed significantly from its earlier form.
Communication at Corcoran operates through the standard CDCR provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and link the inmate using their California CDCR number to send messages and photos. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation. The setup is the same as at other California state prisons — JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video, with separate accounts and separate funding required for each. For SHU-assigned inmates, communication access may be more restricted depending on the inmate's current program level.
Corcoran's location in the Central Valley means it is a significant distance from both the Bay Area and Los Angeles, making in-person visits logistically challenging for many California families. The nearest major city is Fresno, about 60 miles to the north. For families in Southern California, the drive from Los Angeles takes approximately three hours. This distance makes JPay messaging and GTL video visits particularly valuable for regular contact. Because CDCR uses JPay and GTL system-wide, accounts created for Corcoran will work at any other California state prison if an inmate is transferred within the system.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
4001 King Avenue, Corcoran, CA 93212
Main Phone
(559) 992-8800
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Corcoran State Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available for general population. SHU inmates may have restricted messaging access.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Available for eligible inmates. SHU status may limit video access.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to CDCR content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Available for general population. SHU inmates may have restricted phone access.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay. Available regardless of housing assignment.
Communication Providers at Corcoran State Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses CDCR number. SHU inmates may have restricted access.
Learn More About JPayGTL
Phone calls and video visitation. SHU-assigned inmates may have more restricted access.
Learn More About GTLCommunication Rules at Corcoran State Prison
- SHU-assigned inmates may have more restricted communication access than general-population Level III/IV inmates.
- Confirm the inmate's current housing assignment before setting up or funding accounts.
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging and phone funds do not transfer between them.
- Messages are reviewed by CDCR staff before delivery.
- CDCR system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another California state prison.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions — Corcoran State Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at Corcoran?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their California CDCR number. Purchase stamps and send your message. CDCR staff review messages before delivery. If your loved one is in the SHU, confirm their current messaging access before funding stamps.
- How do I set up phone calls from Corcoran?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. General-population inmates call from facility phones on scheduled call days. SHU inmates may have restricted phone access.
- What is the SHU at Corcoran?
- The SHU (Security Housing Unit) is a restrictive housing program for inmates requiring the most controlled environment within CDCR. SHU inmates are in more isolated conditions than general-population inmates, which can affect communication access. Following California's SHU reforms, the program has changed significantly from its earlier form, but SHU status still affects communication privileges.
- How far is Corcoran from Los Angeles and San Francisco?
- Corcoran is in the San Joaquin Valley in Kings County — about 200 miles north of Los Angeles (roughly three hours) and about 230 miles southeast of San Francisco (roughly three and a half hours). Neither city is a short trip, making electronic communication and video visits important for regular contact.
- How do I send money to a Corcoran inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Corcoran State Prison. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
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