Hello,

I'll be visiting two penpals in two different prisons in California soon. I am having trouble making an appointment with my pal at San Quentin. The prison phone # 415-454-1460 is leading nowhere. After choosing the initial 1 for inmate matters, there is no option for visiting, and choosing at random leads to unavailable people, press 0 for the operator leads to "this option is not available". The headquarter phone # 916-323-6001 gives the busy signal round the clock. There is some 800 number but that cannot be called from overseas.

Has anyone had the same problem and found a solution that you'd like to share with me?

Thanks ever so much!

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Ah, and I have sent an e-mail to the department of corrections, but they keep referring me to everything I have already tried...

Try using skype to ring the 800 number if i remember right i didnt pay to use it but i cant remember if i had skype credits on either but its worth a try

can you be on two different visitor lists in the same state?

you can be on many different visiting list, just usually not at the same prison. Every facility has their own rules for visiting. I visit PBSP with an out of country ID. The process to be approved took 6 months, when your approved you just call and book. There is usually a option for visitation. If you haven't started the process your pp needs to ask for a form, fill his part out and mail it to you, then you mail it back to the prison. Within 6 months usually you'll be approved or denied. It truly is a long process but much worth it!

Also if you've gone through that process and still can not get a hold of anyone, maybe someone in the states can call the numbers to find out what you need to find out and get back to you.

an acquaintance of mine was having the same issues trying to get through to san quentin. she ended up getting her first visit scheduled because her friend in there sent a letter to the visiting lieutenant. i know absolutely nothing about visiting there or scheduling, but i do know that if you're requesting extended visits you're going to have to do that in writing (i have no idea to who but i can ask her next time i catch her online if you want - i don't know when that will be though since i only see her online a few times a month). if you're just doing the normal 2 hours you'll have to call.

ha! she just popped on so i asked her. she said you'll have to call on a thursday, saturday or sunday between 8-10am local time. if you're visiting someone on death row you have to call 415-455-5023. if he's not on death row, call 415-455-5022 if it's a non-contact visit. if it's a contact visit you don't have to schedule.

Thanks to everyone! I found out I can ask for an extended visit, because I'm from overseas. I have to do that in writing, between 45 and 30 days prior to visiting. So I'll be sending my letter next week. It should be swift, as I am on his visiting list already anyway.

my husband is in san quentin what u need to do is write in for ur visits u can have a 2 hour 30 min on thursday and 5 hour visit on saturday and 5 hour visits on sunday u dont have to phone for ur visits if u pm me ill will give u more information hope this helps

Originally Posted by Penpal

There is some 800 number but that cannot be called from overseas.[

You can, but you'll here a tape. I tried to call the 4155451460 nr, but they said they will call me back, but didn't.