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    Avenal State Prison

    4.5 (4 reviews)
    Open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

    Avenal State Prison Photos

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    2 years ago

    CO's/Staff are friendly & respectful. Processing time for visitation was swift & smooth.

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    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
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    16 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 1
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 7
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    Love this 8
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    Pleasant Valley State Prison

    Pleasant Valley State Prison

    3.8(5 reviews)
    12.9 mi

    I just got a letter from a prisoner there. It's been a while now that the southsiders have been on…read morelockdown with no privileges at all store or phone calls. They are beiystabed in a way they can get a package evey3 months. If you have a loved one there send them some food please.

    I came here to visit my father last year with my girlfriend. There is a difference between visiting…read moresomeone in county jail, and visiting someone at a state prison. First of all, you must get approved for visitation before even showing up. The inmate you're seeing will be able to send you a form that you must fill out, send back, get it approved and only then can you visit. You also get to visit for hours, and it's full contact, so good bye talking through glass and hello long hugs. The prison is in the middle of nowhere, obviously, with miles of desert around. We waited in a line to get in for a few hours because we didn't have an appointment. If you don't make one, you shouldn't worry because you will get in. It will just take a little longer. They have clothing restrictions. No jeans or colored pants. I went with khaki because it was safe way to make sure I get in. No jewelry, no see through shirts of any kind. We must of seen at least six people being sent back to put something in the car because it wasn't appropriate. Read up before coming and dress smart. They do have a little bungalow at the end of the parking lot that's kind of a "Customer service" area. Inside they have pamphlets about group meetings and even extra clothes you can borrow if you don't meet the requirements. The group of people we were waiting with were very nice, and a lot of them have been here before so they were happy to answer any questions we had. Once you get inside the first building, you have to register who you are, who you're seeing, and your relationship to the inmate. They have a counter where you can purchase a picture ticket. Yes, you can actually have your picture taken with the inmate, which I think is a great idea. Once you go through a metal detector you get to walk with a group of people to whatever cell house the inmate you're seeing is at. Once inside we had to wait a little while until my dad actually showed up. We spent three hours, talking, laughing, and reminiscing. I was happy to have my dad and girlfriend finally meet after years of talking about one another, to one another. Sadly the camera was broken so we weren't able to get our picture taken, and they don't give out refunds so be cautious. They have plenty of vending machines so you can buy lunch. The guards pretty much keep to themselves, and answer questions you may have happily. It was a small room with a small outdoor area that we were able to explore. No bathrooms, so go before you get in. Overall it was a pleasant experience. It sounds weird when you're talking about a prison, but you should know that though the place isn't a symbol of happiness, your time there can still be a happy one.

    Photos
    Pleasant Valley State Prison - Inmates Visitors entrance

    Inmates Visitors entrance

    Pleasant Valley State Prison
    Pleasant Valley State Prison

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    Wasco State Prison-Reception Area

    Wasco State Prison-Reception Area

    4.3(4 reviews)
    48.0 mi

    Highly recommended to detain those who have been found guilty. Thank you for your service for those…read morewho work behind the walls of this facility. Not an easy career and for that thank you for your service.

    I was treated wonderfully by the male Staff probably because…read moreI was the only white female they had seen under the age of 50 in months. Kinda creepy. I also was treated awful by any female staff. The front gate guy on weekends is super kind and very helpful. I commend him for maintaining such a level of professionalism while not being a butthead like most of the others inside the visitor center. Speaking of which, the little trailer outside where they send you if they feel threatened by the wire in your bra (or even better, your size a tits under a jacket with a slight hint nipple to be discovered by the ferociously deprived inmates) there is a nice Asian woman who won't speak English but is great with a pair of scissors. (They have a free bra wire removing service for your convenience.) the Hispanic man with his hair always jelled back nicely that works in the reception visiting center who tells you which window to go to isn't so much social, but kind nonetheless. He gets his job done without making you feel like a criminal. He also plays decent music (except during the holidays which I'm sure is against his will.) as far as the person who was residing there, he says 2.5/5 and he went to CMC to solitary confinement after because of the failure of his counselor to see him for 6 months at wasco and gave them a 3.9.

    North Kern State Prison - Gate to facility

    North Kern State Prison

    2.6(8 reviews)
    47.4 mi

    Aside from this being a prison everything can go smoothly for your visits if you go prepared. This…read moreis not like county where just anyone can go visit. You need to be on an approved list for visiting first, so the inmate will have to send you a visiting application and have it approved. This can take up to 6 weeks. I've seen a lot of people turned away, some drove hundreds of miles, just because they were not approved. Read the visiting rules online ahead of time. Also.. Reception Vs Mainline: inmates in reception only have glass visits which means, like in county, the inmates are behind glass, inmates in mainline have contact visits which means they can hug and sit next to each other, etc. Reception visits are an hour long, mainline visits are 2+ hours long. If the inmate has been in trouble and placed in ad seg they only get glass visits until they get out of ad seg. Appointments: Reception and mainline visits are walk-in only. You can make an appointment but even the guards will tell you that they don't matter cuz they do it based on first-come, first-serve. Ad seg visits must be scheduled by phone only. You NEED to call in for those. 661-721-2345 ext. 7030 Parking: There is plenty of parking and it is less than 500 feet from the processing center. It's free so you don't have to worry about paying anything. Visiting process: So when you get inside the processing center you need to fill out a paper and place your ID / birth certificates (if you're bringing any children) on top of it and place it on the counter by the guard on the computer. You sit and wait for the other guards to call your name. When they call your name you need to take your shoes off and go through a walk through metal detector. Even underwire from your bra will make it go off and they won't let you through so make sure there's no underwire in your bra. Once you get past the metal detector they give you a paper and your ID/birth certificates and you go through this cage like thing that lets you into the prison to the visiting room. Reception is straight ahead and mainline is to the left. Once you get inside you place your paper on the counter where the guard is (you can't leave without this paper) and wait to be called. Once they call your name you have your visit whether it is glass or contact. After your visit is over you grab your paper go through the cage thing again hand your paper and all IDs to the guard and go home. They keep the paper and you get your IDs. Tips: bring extra clothes in case they make you change. Black/gray shirt, black/ gray sweats or pants (not leggings) are safe. For mainline you can bring $50 in dollars/ quarters for vending machines per adult and $20 in dollars/ quarters per child. (Reception doesn't have any food or vending machines.) If you are bringing a baby/ toddler there is an approved list of what you can and cannot bring online. Be sure to check that out before you come for your visit! Good luck and happy visit!

    The institution current framework demonstrates a deficiency in evidence-based rehabilitative…read moreprogramming and systemic conditions indicates that inmates safety and security are not prioritized. Critical improvements can be made by fostering integrated housing, optimizing facility management and safety, promoting demographic proportionality, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

    Photos
    North Kern State Prison - The day my son came home from that drug infested North Kern State prison

    The day my son came home from that drug infested North Kern State prison

    North Kern State Prison - Saturday Visiting Day....

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    Saturday Visiting Day....

    Kern Valley State Prison - Crew truck waiting at the security gate to be searched..

    Kern Valley State Prison

    2.4(9 reviews)
    47.0 mi

    Parking is right at the visitor's entrance. (Not like CMF, where you have to park in a muddy field…read morethen trudge over to a surly greeting.) When you enter the visitor center, it is set up like 90% of the Cali prisons, so the toilets are on your right just past the "Wall of Fame" with the warden's photo. Clean bathrooms. Plenty of towels, and an air dryer. Very nice. The blocks are set up quite differently from most prisons. There is A, B, C, and D. You will get lost 10/10, but the cops walking around are very helpful. Even the guy in the gun tower pointed out where we were supposed to be. They do legal visits in person, with a conference table between. I give it four stars because five would have to be something spectacular, like they bring you donuts, but way better than just three. Would visit again.

    Wether this is a prison or not, treating people so nastily is inhumane. treat them like wild…read moreanimals and soon they will turn on you like a wild animal, psychology! they did searches and yes necessary and typical however my loved ones blankets got taken his sheets, his spoon for eating, tooth brush, his toilet paper, emptied his seasonings and coffee on the floor, took 3 of his white shirts, and other items that should of never been taken from him! you guys are ruining the ones that are trying to do good and just do their time and come home! the blanket thing is just sick because it's getting super cold in the cells at night. Then you try to call the prison and you can't speak to a person at all!!! there's no operator no information center and no wellness checks for loved ones! I hope the people that are comfortably doing this, get the karma they deserve

    Photos
    Kern Valley State Prison
    Kern Valley State Prison - Entrance..

    Entrance..

    Kern Valley State Prison - Sunrise..

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    Sunrise..

    Avenal State Prison - jailsandprisons - Updated May 2026

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