Pelican Bay State Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Pelican Bay State Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum / SHU
- Inmate Capacity
- 3,000 approx.
- Established
- 1989
- Operated By
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Pelican Bay State Prison Inmate Communication Overview
Pelican Bay State Prison is a maximum-security facility located in Del Norte County in the far northern corner of California, near the Oregon border. Opened in 1989, it was designed specifically to house California's most serious and gang-affiliated offenders. The facility is perhaps best known for its Security Housing Unit, or SHU, a restrictive housing program where inmates are held in near-complete isolation for extended periods. Following legal settlements and California CDCR policy changes in the mid-2010s, the SHU program has been significantly reformed, but Pelican Bay remains one of the state's most restrictive facilities in terms of programs, privileges, and communication access.
Communication options at Pelican Bay are available but more limited than at general-population California state prisons. JPay is the primary platform for electronic messaging and money transfers, as it is across the CDCR system. Families can send messages and photos through JPay using the inmate's CDCR number. Phone calls are managed by Securus and are available for most general-population inmates, though those in more restrictive housing assignments may have reduced or restricted phone access depending on their current status and programming level. Families should confirm the inmate's current housing assignment and program status, as this directly affects what communication is permitted.
Video visitation at Pelican Bay is available for some inmates but can be subject to restrictions based on housing status. Remote video visits through Securus are the standard approach, but families should verify eligibility before booking. Because the facility is so remote, it is more than 350 miles from San Francisco and more than 400 miles from Los Angeles, in-person visits are logistically difficult for many families, making electronic communication options especially important. Setting up JPay and Securus accounts in advance of any visit or attempted contact is strongly recommended.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
5905 Lake Earl Drive, Crescent City, CA 95531
Main Phone
(707) 465-1000
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Visiting Hours
In-person: Friday 12:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. RHU visits must be scheduled; RHU hours Friday 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:15 to 11:15 a.m.
Commissary / Sending Money
Send money by EFT via GTL/ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections (fee applies, posts in 1 to 3 days); or send a no-fee Lock Box money order, personal check, or cashier's check payable to JPay to JPay, 2202 South Figueroa St, Box #3001, Los Angeles, CA 90007 (max $999.99 per form, no letters or notes; personal checks held 10 business days). You can also mail a check or money order payable to CDCR to the institution (30-day hold; sender name and address required; include the inmate name and CDCR number).
Communication Options
Available communication services at Pelican Bay State Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available for most inmates. SHU-assigned individuals may have restrictions.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Available for general population. Restricted housing inmates may not have 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: Securus
Available for general population. Phone access restricted for some housing assignments.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and other purchases.
Communication Providers at Pelican Bay State Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photos, and money transfers. Uses CDCR ID number.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Phone calls and video visitation. Access may be restricted based on housing classification.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at Pelican Bay State Prison
- Communication privileges may be reduced or suspended based on the inmate's housing and disciplinary status.
- SHU or restricted housing assignments may limit phone, video, and messaging access.
- All communications are monitored and subject to CDCR review.
- The remote location makes in-person visits logistically difficult, electronic options are especially important here.
- Confirm the inmate's current housing assignment before setting up or funding any account.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pelican Bay State Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- Can I message someone in the Pelican Bay SHU?
- Messaging access at Pelican Bay depends on the inmate's current housing assignment and status. General population inmates can use JPay. Those in the Security Housing Unit or other restrictive housing may have limited or suspended messaging privileges. Contact CDCR's inmate locator or the facility directly to confirm current communication access for your loved one.
- How do I set up messaging at Pelican Bay?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their CDCR identification number. Purchase JPay stamps to compose messages. Given the remote location of the facility, electronic messaging is the most practical communication option for most families.
- Are phone calls available at Pelican Bay?
- Phone calls at Pelican Bay are managed by Securus. General population inmates have access to facility phones, and families can fund a Securus prepaid account to receive calls. However, phone access can be restricted for inmates in disciplinary housing or those with specific program restrictions. The facility's extremely remote location also affects inmate count and program availability.
- Is video visitation available at Pelican Bay?
- Remote video visitation is available for eligible inmates through Securus. However, given the higher-security nature of the facility, video visit availability may be more limited than at other California state prisons. Families should create a Securus account and confirm video visit eligibility for their specific loved one before booking.
- How do I send money to someone at Pelican Bay?
- Trust account deposits for Pelican Bay inmates are processed through JPay. Log in, navigate to Send Money, and select Pelican Bay State Prison. Funds go to the inmate's trust account for commissary purchases. Securus also accepts phone account funding separately if the inmate has phone access.
Troubleshooting at Pelican Bay State Prison
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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