Trinity River Conservation Camp #3

Visiting Trinity River Conservation Camp #3

This is what the institution publishes, in the order you will meet it: when visits run, how to get approved, how to book, when to arrive, what you may carry in and who may come with you.

When visits run

In-person visiting is offered Saturdays and Sundays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Open Phase; visitors should confirm before travel because crews may deploy on short notice.

Getting approved first

You have to be an approved visitor before you can book anything. Approval starts with a Visitor Questionnaire, CDCR Form 106.

How to get the form: You cannot download it and send it yourself. The incarcerated person has to send the form to you, and they must sign it first — that signature is what confirms they want you added to their visiting list.

Filling it in: Fill it in completely. The questionnaire asks for every criminal conviction AND every arrest, including arrests that never led to a charge. CDCR runs a background check and will deny approval if the check turns up something the form left out, so list everything. If you cannot recall the details of an old arrest, give the approximate date and the reason as precisely as you can.

Where to send: Mail the completed questionnaire to the Visiting Sergeant or Lieutenant at the institution where the person is housed, addressed to the attention of “Visiting”.

Warning: Most prisons use a DIFFERENT address for mail to staff than for mail to an incarcerated person. Use the staff address. A questionnaire sent to the inmate mail address does not reach Visiting.

What not to do: Do not send the questionnaire to the incarcerated person. It will not be accepted.

How long: Processing time varies by institution, depending on how many forms it receives and how many staff are cleared to review them. CDCR publishes no standard turnaround.

Booking a visit

Fire camps do not use VSA. Schedule an in-person visit Monday-Friday for the coming weekend by calling or emailing the camp; video requests are emailed from 8 a.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Monday for the following weekend.

Non-contact and restricted-housing visits

Non-contact visiting is not a choice — it is what applies while someone is in reception (newly admitted to CDCR, or just transferred between prisons) or is segregated.

Who: Reception status, Administrative Segregation, Security Housing Units, Adjustment Centers, someone pending specific rules-violation charges, or anyone assigned to a Behavior Management Unit.

Conditions: The visit happens through a glass partition. Staff escort the incarcerated person in handcuffs, and the handcuffs come off only once they are secured on their side of the booth.

With children: If you would rather a child did not see someone in restraints, wait away from the booth until they are settled.

Limits: Three visitors, not five. Length is limited — usually one to two hours, depending on the prison and on why the visit is non-contact.

How early to arrive

Confirm directly with the camp before travel because crews can deploy on short notice; CDCR warns many facilities limit arrival to about one hour before visiting begins and vehicles may be inspected.

Identification

Adults must show valid, current photo identification: a state driver license/DMV ID, armed-forces ID, ICE ID, U.S. or foreign passport, or Mexican Consulate photo ID.

How many people may visit

No more than five approved visitors per incarcerated person for Open Phase camp visits.

Bringing a child

A visitor under 18 must be accompanied by an approved adult and bring a certified birth certificate; guardians also need proof of guardianship, and other accompanying adults need an annually updated notarized parental/guardian consent form.

What not to wear

Dress conservatively and modestly; do not resemble incarcerated-person, law-enforcement, or military clothing; avoid prohibited revealing/form-fitting garments and items that cannot clear a metal detector. Check locally for added rules.

What stays in the car

Visitors may bring only CDCR-listed items, including limited cash, a small clear bag, two keys, ID, limited photos/documents and specified baby/medical items; weapons and illegal drugs are prohibited.

Video visits, and what a visit costs

Fire camps have transitioned to Securus. The current posted rate is $0.10 per minute for paid video calls, with 30 free video minutes per month.

Source: CDCR · CDCR — How to Get Approved to Visit an Incarcerated Person · CDCR — Types of Visits · CDCR · CDCR · CDCR · CDCR · CDCR

Phone calls and money

Llamadas

Incarcerated people initiate outgoing calls; telephone audio calls are free to both parties and are limited to 15 minutes.

Putting money on the books

Money can be sent by fee-based EFT (ConnectNetwork, JPay, or Access Corrections), no-fee JPay lockbox, or check/money order mailed to the institution; holds and restitution deductions may apply.

Source: CDCR · CDCR

Inside the institution

Minimum-security conservation (fire) camp; participants must have minimum-custody status and volunteer for the program.

Source: CDCR

Health care, programmes and release

Health care

CCHCS staff must medically and mentally clear volunteers for vigorous activity, and participants must pass a physical fitness test before fire training.

Education, training and work

Trinity River offers AA/NA, religious programs, GED and correspondence college courses, hobby craft, and pre-release programs.

Preparing for release

Camp service provides time credits and pathways to post-release firefighting training, certifications, expungement eligibility under AB 2147, and employment opportunities; education and rehabilitation are intended to support successful community integration.

Source: CDCR · CDCR