San Quentin State Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for San Quentin State Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 3,500 approx.
- Established
- 1852
- Operated By
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
San Quentin State Prison Inmate Communication Overview
San Quentin State Prison, located on the shores of San Francisco Bay in Marin County, is California's oldest correctional institution and one of the most well-known prisons in the United States. Opened in 1852, the facility has housed some of California's most serious offenders and has also been home to noteworthy educational and rehabilitation programs. In recent years, California has announced plans to transform the facility into a rehabilitation and education campus, which may affect future operations and communication arrangements. For now, the standard communication systems used across California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities remain in place.
Communication at San Quentin is primarily handled through two platforms. JPay manages electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers for incarcerated individuals at the facility, while Securus handles phone calls and video visitation. Families who want to send messages or photos need to create a JPay account, fund it with stamps, and address messages to the correct inmate ID. For phone calls, families can add funds to a Securus AdvancePay account, which allows inmates to call directly from their housing unit. Video visits are also managed through Securus and must be scheduled in advance, same-day bookings are not typically available, and slots fill up quickly around weekends and holidays.
For families new to the system, the most common challenge is understanding that JPay and Securus are separate platforms requiring separate accounts. Messaging credits purchased on JPay cannot be used for phone calls or video visits, and phone funds in a Securus account cannot pay for messaging. Setting up both accounts before your first contact attempt will save significant time. The facility does not directly process communication requests, all account setup, funding, and scheduling must be done through the provider platforms directly. This guide provides direct pathways to those platforms and the most current information on available services.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
100 Main Street, San Quentin, CA 94964
Main Phone
(415) 454-1460
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.
Inmate Full Legal Name, CDCR Number, Last Known Housing/Bed Number San Quentin Rehabilitation Center San Quentin, CA 94974
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
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 San Quentin State Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Electronic messaging via JPay stamps. Messages are reviewed by staff before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Remote video visits available. Must be scheduled in advance through Securus.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos sent through JPay. Physical mail photo restrictions apply.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Inmate-initiated calls via Securus. Fund a Securus AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Send funds to inmate trust accounts via JPay for commissary and other purchases.
Communication Providers at San Quentin State Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Primary platform for electronic messaging, photo sharing, and inmate money deposits.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Phone calls and video visitation. Manage your AdvancePay or Direct Bill account through Securus.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at San Quentin State Prison
- All electronic messages are subject to review by facility staff before delivery.
- Video visits must be booked in advance through Securus. Walk-in video is not available.
- Photos submitted through JPay must comply with CDCR content guidelines.
- Phone accounts must be funded before an inmate can place a call.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list to exchange messages or visits.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: San Quentin State Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- What provider handles messaging at San Quentin?
- JPay is the messaging provider at San Quentin State Prison. You can create a free account at jpay.com, add the inmate using their CDCR ID number, and purchase stamps to send electronic messages. Messages are typically delivered within 24–48 hours after staff review.
- How do I schedule a video visit at San Quentin?
- Video visits at San Quentin are managed through Securus. Create an account at www.securustech.net or through the Securus Mobile app, search for San Quentin, and select an available time slot. You will need the inmate's ID number and must be on their approved visitor list. Slots should be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
- Can I send photos to someone at San Quentin?
- Yes, digital photos can be sent through JPay. Log into your JPay account, navigate to the photo feature, and follow the upload guidelines. Photos must comply with CDCR content restrictions: no nudity, no images depicting violence, and no photos that could compromise safety or security.
- How do I add money to a phone account for San Quentin calls?
- Phone calls at San Quentin are managed by Securus. To receive calls, set up a Securus AdvancePay account at www.securustech.net or through the Securus app using your phone number. Add funds via debit or credit card, and the inmate can call your number directly once funds are available.
- How do I send money directly to an inmate at San Quentin?
- Money for the inmate's trust account (used for commissary purchases) is sent through JPay. Log into your JPay account, go to the Send Money section, and select San Quentin. You can transfer funds via debit card, credit card, or money order. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
Troubleshooting at San Quentin 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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