RJ Donovan Correctional Facility
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- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Level III / IV
- Inmate Capacity
- 2,992 approx.
- Established
- 1987
- Operated By
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
RJ Donovan Correctional Facility Inmate Communication Overview
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, commonly known as RJ Donovan or simply Donovan, is a California state prison located near Otay Mesa in southern San Diego County, close to the U.S.-Mexico border. It is operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and houses male inmates at Level III and Level IV security, meaning it holds a mix of medium and higher-security populations. The facility opened in the late 1980s and has since expanded, making it one of the larger state prisons in the region.
Families communicating with someone at RJ Donovan typically use two main platforms. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers for CDCR facilities, letting families send emails, photos, and funds to an inmate's trust account. Securus provides phone calls and video visitation, which can be scheduled in advance or, at some facilities, used for on-demand calls depending on current scheduling. Because CDCR contracts can change over time, it's worth confirming current provider details directly with the facility before setting up an account.
Visiting rules at RJ Donovan follow standard CDCR procedures. In-person visits require prior approval, and visitors typically need to be on an approved list before a visit can take place. Given the facility's location near the border and its larger population, families should check current visiting hours and any facility-specific requirements ahead of a planned trip.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
480 Alta Road, San Diego, CA 92179
Main Phone
(619) 661-6500
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.
Visiting Hours
Regular visiting restored for all facilities as of 9/18/26. Max 5 visitors per visit, max 3 for non-contact visits. Only approved visitors allowed. Schedule via VSA
Communication Options
Available communication services at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available through JPay email-style messaging.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Video visitation available, often requiring advance scheduling.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photo attachments can be sent with JPay messages, subject to content review.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Scheduled and collect-call phone service through Securus.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits available online, by phone, or at kiosks in some areas.
Communication Providers at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits for CDCR facilities including RJ Donovan.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Phone calls and video visitation. Video sessions may require advance scheduling.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility
- Create a JPay account to send messages, photos, and money to an inmate's trust account.
- Video visitation through Securus may require scheduling in advance, so plan ahead of time.
- In-person visitors must be approved by the facility before a visit can take place.
- All communications are subject to CDCR monitoring and content review.
- Confirm current provider details with the facility, since state prison contracts can change over time.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: RJ Donovan Correctional Facility
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at RJ Donovan?
- Create a free account at jpay.com, add the inmate using their CDCR number, and purchase stamps to send messages. Replies come back through the same JPay system.
- How do I set up video visitation at RJ Donovan?
- Video visitation is arranged through Securus. Create an account at securustech.net, add funds if needed, and schedule a session in advance according to the facility's available time slots.
- How do phone calls work at RJ Donovan?
- Phone calls are handled through Securus. Set up a prepaid or direct-bill account at securustech.net so the inmate can call you, or to accept collect calls where available.
- Can I send photos to someone at RJ Donovan?
- Yes. JPay allows you to attach digital photos to messages. Photos go through a content review process before being delivered, so allow some extra time.
- How do I send money to an RJ Donovan inmate?
- Use JPay at jpay.com or the JPay app to deposit funds into the inmate's trust account. Deposits can also typically be made by phone or at a JPay kiosk if one is available near you.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for San Diego County, California. If the inmate does not appear, allow 24 to 72 hours after booking and try alternate spellings.
- How do I send mail to an inmate at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility?
- Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope and follow the facility's mail rules. Confirm the current mailing address on the facility's official page before sending.
- What are the visiting hours at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility?
- Regular visiting restored for all facilities as of 9/18/26. Max 5 visitors per visit, max 3 for non-contact visits. Only approved visitors allowed. Schedule via VSA
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility?
- No. Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. The inmate must call you, and your number must be on their approved list.
- How do I block or stop calls from an inmate at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility?
- Contact the facility's phone provider and ask to block the number, or block the number through your own phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved list.
Troubleshooting at RJ Donovan Correctional Facility
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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