Visiting Ed at San Quentin

How to Visit Ed:

Before you can visit Ed, you will need to be approved. Ed must send you a visiting form (CDC 106). This form MUST be signed by Ed before he sends it to you. Once you receive your visiting questionnaire, fill it out TRUTHFULLY and don't leave any questions blank. Then, once you are finished, send your completed questionnaire to:


The average wait for a response is 4-8 weeks, from the time your application is received by the visiting staff. In some cases, it takes longer than 8 weeks. I suggest calling the visiting department if your wait is longer than 8 weeks, and find out if your application has been received. They will NOT tell you if you have been approved or disapproved over the phone. It is the responsibility of Ed to relay that information to you. If you are APPROVED, Ed will be notified. If you are DISAPPROVED, Ed will be notified AND you will be mailed a written response with details of the denial.

Reasons for DISAPPROVAL include (but are not limited to):

• Lying on your application
• Being a Convicted Felon (you must have prior written approval from the warden before stepping on prison grounds)
• Leaving Questions Blank
• Having UNPAID tickets (of ANY kind)
• Having Outstanding Warrants
• Being on Active Parole/Probation (you will need prior approval from the Warden)

Guidelines: (this is a summery, for complete rules please see Guidelines for Visitors to Adult Prisons∞)

Acceptable Identification

• A valid state driver's license with picture (not laminated).
• A valid state Department of Motor Vehicles Identification Card with picture (not laminated).
• A valid Armed Forces Identification Card with picture.
• Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Services with picture.
• Picture Passport.
• Picture identification Matricula Consular De Alta Seguridad (MCAS) issued by the Mexican Consulate.

Visitor Attire

It is recommended that visitors dress conservatively and with the following guidelines in mind. Inappropriate attire will be reason to deny a visit. Any alteration to clothing once a visitor is inside the visiting area will be grounds for terminating the visit.

Prohibited Attire

• Clothing which, in any combination of shades or types of material/fabric, resembles California State-issued inmate clothing, blue denim or chambray shirts and blue denim pants.
• Clothing that resembles law enforcement or military-type clothing, including rain gear.
• Hats, wigs or hairpieces (except with prior written approval of the Visiting Sergeant).
• Clothing that exposes the breast/chest area, genital area, or buttocks.
• Dresses, skirts, pants, and shorts exposing more than two inches above the knee, including slits when standing.
• Sheer or transparent garments.
• Strapless or "spaghetti” strap tops.
• Clothing exposing the midriff area.
• Clothing or accessories displaying obscene or offensive language or drawings.
• Brassieres with metal underwires or any other detectable metal are not permitted.


Allowable items:

• Identification Card.
• One Handkerchief, no bandannas.
• Tissue Pack, unopened.
• Clear Change Purse.
• $40 Per Adult and $10.00 Per Minor Visitor, in Coin or One Dollar Bills Only.
• Comb or Brush.
• Two Keys On A Ring with No Attachments.
• 10 Photographs.
• Indian Medicine Bag, upon inspection and approval.
• Two small (less than 12 inches in length) solid toys.
• One Infant Carrier.
• Six Disposable Diapers.
• Factory-Sealed Baby Wipes.
• Two Transparent Plastic Baby Bottles of Pre-Mixed Formula/Milk/Juice Per Baby.
• One Transparent Pacifier.
• Three Jars of Factory Sealed Baby Food and One Plastic Baby Spoon.
• One Single-Layer Baby Blanket.
• One Transparent Diaper Bag.
• One Change of Baby Clothing.
• One Single-Layer Burp Cloth.

Visitors may retain only life-sustaining, condition-stabilizing medication with the prescribing physician's written statement of its immediate need, and only in the physician's prescribed amount immediately required to sustain or stabilize the condition during the visit. The physician’s written statement shall include the physician’s medical license number, address, and phone number.

All medication shall be in its original pharmacy container with the patient's name, pharmacy, name of medication, prescribed dosage, and the physician's name indicated on the container's label. Nonprescription medicine is not permitted.

Prohibited Items

• All tobacco and tobacco products.
• Food. All refreshments are to be purchased from the vending machines located in the visiting room, except Camps and Ranches.
• Chewing gum.
• Purses.
• Cameras.
• Pagers.
• Cell phones.
• Writing materials or books, unless approved prior to entering the Visiting Room.

Visiting Room Procedures

Each visitor and inmate is responsible for his or her own conduct while visiting. Violation of the rules and regulations may result in termination, restriction, suspension, or denial of visits. Additionally, disciplinary action may be taken against the inmate. An inmate and his/her visitor(s) are allowed to briefly embrace and kiss at the beginning and end of their visit. An inmate may hold his or her minor children. Inmates may also hold minor children accompanied by an adult. Children are to remain under the direct supervision and control of the visiting parent or guardian at all times. Holding hands on top of the table in plain view is permitted, with no other physical contact. Excessive contact, (kissing, massaging, stroking, and sitting with legs intertwined or sitting on laps) could result in termination of the visit. Nursing mothers shall be discreet and covered when breast-feeding their baby in the visiting area. Failure to do so may result in termination of visiting for that day. Inmates cannot receive any items, gifts, money, jewelry, or documents during a visit. However, the adult visitor may ask for a pencil and notebook paper as needed. Smoking is not allowed in the visiting rooms or outside patios in the institutions at any time.

Non-Legal Visiting Schedule:

Call them if you have questions:

Eddie Ylst, Warden (A)
San Quentin, CA 94964
(415) 454-1460

Useful Miscellaneous Phone Numbers:

Inmate Locator = (916) 445-6713

Visiting Hotline = (800) 374-8474



Please note due to Overcrowding please allow up to 2 hours for check-in at the visitors center.

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