Richard J. Donavan Facility


Robert J. Hernandez, Warden
480 Alta Road
San Diego, CA 92179
(619) 661-6500


Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility - Mission Statement

The primary mission of the R. J. Donovan Correctional Facility is to provide housing and supervision for inmates classified as high-medium custody. Designed as a training and work-oriented facility, RJD provides comprehensive vocational, academic and industrial programs.

Institution Details and Programs
In April 1989, the institution activated its reception center program for incoming felons from local counties. The reception center completes diagnostic, medical and classification processes to determine initial institutional placement.
The Institution Hearing Program (IHP) at R. J. Donovan is designed to prepare inmates who are illegal immigrants for release to USINS custody and the return to their native lands.
Voluntary participants in the Amity program are provided intensive substance abuse treatment in the institution and support from other participants while on parole. Involuntary participants in the HOPE (Helping Our Peers Evolve) Through Recovery program are provided intensive substance abuse treatment in the institution.
CROP (Convicts Reaching Out to People) is a program for juveniles. Inmates participate in a hands-on, face-to-face approach with juveniles teaching and telling them about the downfalls of prison and the negative life of crime.
Religious services are provided for inmates of all denominations. This includes Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Jewish services involving approximately 600 volunteers who are involved with Kairos, Life in the Spirit seminars, Ramadan, and High Holy Days.

Link to Title 15 (http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Regulations/Adult_Operations/docs/Title15-2007.pdf)

Institution Statistics

R. J. Donovan was opened July 1987, and covers 780 acres. As of Fiscal Year 2002/2003, the following statistics apply:

Number of custody staff:
717
Number of support services staff:
580
Total number of staff:
1,297
Annual operating budget:
$81 million

R.J. Donavan was origianlly designed to house Level I and Level III prisoners along with being a Reception facility.
Level I inmates this facility was designed to house was 200 inmates, it had 392 inmates when these statistics were taken.

Level III inmates the facility was designed to house 1,500 when these stats were taken it had 2.293 inmates.

Reception was designed for 500, again on these statistics they had 1,701 inmates.



Special Historical Notes


The RJ Donovan Correctional Facility was named for the late Assemblyman and Judge Richard J. Donovan, who sponsored legislation establishing the institution.

Inmate Programs http://www.cya.ca.gov/images/spacer.gifhttp://www.cya.ca.gov/images/spacer.gif

PIA: Bakery, laundry, optical lens manufacturing, textiles.
Vocational: Auto body repair and refinishing, auto mechanics, cabinet making, dry cleaning, eyewear manufacturing, graphic arts and printing, janitorial services, landscaping, machine shop, office equipment electronics, small engine repair, upholstery, welding.
Academic: Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, Pre-Release, English as a Second Language, Literacy Program.
Other: Community Service Crews, Youth Diversion, Religious, Arts in Corrections, Bicycle Refurbishing, Victim Awareness, Drug Treatment/Diversion, Joint Venture.

Visiting Days and Hours

Saturdays, Sundays and Designated Holidays* from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

APPROVED HOLIDAYS ARE:
*New Year's Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas

Appointments are NOT accepted EXCEPT for those behind Glass.

Address for VISITING DEPT ONLY!
Visiting Dept.
P.o.box 799006
San Diego,ca 92179-9006

Phone number for visiting is (619)661-6500 then when the automated system kicks in punch in 6670 that will take you directly to visiting.

Visiting is car line only!!!
visiting at donavan is like we park our cars down at su casa where we sign in and get our pass start giving the passes at about 8:15 then we ride the bus / van which ever it is to processing where you fill out the pass with pencil and wait to be process they do the one's with appointments first (behind glass).

This information I received from another thread posted from RPinSD and I know that he knows what he is talking about so here this information is.

Visiting: Must make an appointment one week in advance and you will wait hours to get through. So heres a trick I used, at the very begginig of the pre recorded message punch in ext. 6900 or 6500 or 6700 any variation really and when/if someone picks up tell them you were holding to make an appointment for a reception inmate, they will usually pass you right to that officers desk but not tell you the extention.

Dress Code: Plain and simply put, Just wear non denim black pants or beige shorts in summer and a simple shirt you can either tuck in or will cover you up when your hands are in the air, T-shirts with a non offensive logo or picture is best.

What you can bring: I only take my car key, $10 in ones and my I.D


All visits to a reception inmate are non-contact

Yard Pastors
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
http://www.pastorstoprisoners.org/_themes/tidcross2/crossbull4.gifRev. Jack Oien (jack@pastorstoprisoners.org), Yard Pastor, R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego, CA
http://www.pastorstoprisoners.org/_themes/tidcross2/crossbull4.gifRev. Elena Hernandez (elena@pastorstoprisoners.org), Yard Pastor, R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego, CA
http://www.pastorstoprisoners.org/_themes/tidcross2/crossbull4.gifAugust Hunter, (august@pastorstoprisoners.org) Yard Pastor, R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego, CA
http://www.pastorstoprisoners.org/_themes/tidcross2/crossbull4.gifMike Travis (mike@pastorstoprisoners.org), Yard Pastor, R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego, CA

Closest to the prison are as follows with the City's name listed above them.

Chula Vista

Good Nite Inn Chula Vista
225 Bay Blvd
Chula Vista, CA 91910
800-346-8357

Big 7 Motel
333 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91910
800-346-8357

Highway Inn Chula Vista
70 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91910
800-346-8357

NATIONAL CITY

Howard Johnson Express Inn National City
521 Roosevelt Ave
National City, CA 91950
800-346-8357

You can also check out the websites for the ones listed above at www.hotel.com (http://www.hotel.com)

SAN DIEGO AREA (these are rather far from the prison but there are many choices here)

500 West Hotel
500 West Broadway, San Diego (619) 269-9172

Absolut Hotel Corp
650 Robinson Ave, San Diego (619)294-7300

Ace Budget Motel
7058 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego (619)466-2520

All San Diego Hotels - Reservation Service (http://www.sandiegohotelattractions.signonsandiego.com/)
Discounted Rates at 220 San Diego Hotels, Since 1995 (888) 690-7600

All Visitor Information
7380 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego (858) 627-9300

Aquatic Adventures
1010 Santa Clara Pl, San Diego (858)259-3861

Bahia Resort Hotel (http://www.bahiahotel.signonsandiego.com/)
998 W. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego (866) 259-4935

Balboa Park Inn
3402 Park Boulevard, San Diego (619) 298-0823

Baltic Inn
521 6th Avenue, San Diego (619) 237-0687

Banana Bungalow Hostel
707 Reed Ave, San Diego (858)273-3060

Barry Hotel
615 8th Ave, San Diego (619)595-1500

Bartell Hotels (http://www.bartellhotels.signonsandiego.com/)
4875 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego (619) 224-1556

Bay Club Hotel & Marina
2131 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego (619) 224-8888

Bay View Motel
1315 Morena Blvd, San Diego (619)276-3657

Bayview Thriftlodge
1943 Pacific Highway, San Diego (619) 232-7551

Beach & Bayside Vacations
2757 Mission Blvd, San Diego (858)488-8827

Beach Cottages
4255 Ocean Boulevard, San Diego (858) 483-7440

Beach Haven Inn
4740 Mission Boulevard, San Diego (858) 272-3812

Beach Place
2158 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego (619)225-0746

C Street Inn
636 C St, San Diego (619) 234-4165

Cabrillo Lodge
840 A St, San Diego (619) 234-8477

Days Inn
1919 Pacific Highway, San Diego (619) 232-1077

Days Inn
1449 9th Avenue, San Diego (619) 239-9113

Days Inn
7475 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa 6196979005

Days Inn
1640 E Plaza Blvd, National City 6194749202

Days Inn
9350 Kearny Mesa Rd, San Diego 8585784350

Days Inn & Suites - Mission Valley
5343 Adobe Falls Rd, San Diego (619) 287-1911

Days Inn Hotel Circle / SeaWorld (http://www.daysinnhotelcircle.signonsandiego.com/)
543 Hotel Circle S., San Diego (866) 261-0240

Days Inn Suites- Sea World/Airport
3350 Rosecrans St., San Diego (619) 224-9800

E-Z 8 Motel Of San Diego
1010 Outer Rd, San Diego 6195758808

E-Z 8 Motels
4747 Pacific Highway, San Diego (619) 294-2512

E-Z 8 Motels INC
2484 Hotel Circle Place, San Diego (619) 291-4824

Easy 8 Motel of Mission Valley
2484 Hotel Circle Place, San Diego (619) 291-8252

Ebony Inn Motel
740 32nd St, San Diego 6192341445

Econo Lodge
445 Hotel Cir S, San Diego 6196921288

Econo Lodge
1801 Logan Ave, San Diego 6192321616

Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego/ Carlsbad
760 Macademia Drive, San Diego (760) 438-2828

Four Points By Sheraton Rancho Bernardo
11611 Bernardo Plaza Ct, San Diego (858) 485-9250

Four Points Sheraton
8110 Aero Dr, San Diego (858) 277-8888

Friendship Hotel
3942 8th Avenue, San Diego (619) 298-9898

Gaslamp Plaza Suites
520 E St, San Diego (619) 232-9500

Gaslamp Quarter Hotel
417 Market St, San Diego 6192342835

Golden West Hotel
720 4th Ave, San Diego 6192337594

Good Nite Inn
4545 Waring Rd., San Diego (619) 286-7000

Good Nite Inn Seaworld
3880 Greenwood St, San Diego (619) 543-9944

Hampton Inn
3888 Greenwood St, San Diego (619) 299-0514

Hampton Inn
5434 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego (858) 292-1482

Hampton Inn
1531 Pacific Highway, San Diego (619) 233-8408

Harbor Hill Guest House
2330 Albatross St, San Diego (619) 233-0638

Marina Inn & Suites
1943 Pacific Highway, San Diego (619)232-7551

Marriott Hotels & Resorts
701 A St, San Diego (619) 696-9800

Marriott Hotels & Resorts
8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego (619) 692-3800

Marriott Hotels & Resorts
333 W Harbor Drive, San Diego (619) 234-1500

If your driving South either on the 5 or 805, you have to take the 905 freeway EAST. That will take to Otay in that is where the prison is. Once you get on the 905 east freeway, you just keep going straight. Then you will get to Otay Mesa RD. And you trun left, Otay Mesa Rd. becomes Alta Road, once you reach Otay Mesa Rd. you are about 2 miles away from the prison.

After you talke the 905, continue East past Brown Field (airport). About 2 miles after that is Otay Mesa Road (you'll see a green road sign indicating that the state prison (Donovan) & county jails are at that intersection. You'll turn left onto Otay Mesa Rd & follow it to the stop sign (Alta Rd.). Make the left & it'll be up not even a mile - you'll turn left into the prison grounds.

APPROVED INMATE PACKAGE VENDORS
Calendar Year 2008
(Revised 2/5/08)


Access Securepak
P. O. Box 50028
Sparks, NV 89435-0028
(800) 546-6283
www.californiaqp.com (http://www.californiaqp.com/)


D&D Enterprises
P.O. Box 7298
Visalia, CA 93290
(866) 390-5291
www.prisongifts.com (http://www.prisongifts.com/)


Ezee Paks Catalog
P.O. Box 1541
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Toll Free: (888) 909-3933
Local: (831) 469-7257
Fax: (831) 469-7250
www.ezeepaks.com (http://www.ezeepaks.com/)


Impackt
4909 Stockdale Hwy, Suite 253
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(866) 736-3487


Jack L. Marcus
5300 West Fond du Lac
Milwaukee, WI 53216-1348
(800) 236-2611
www.JLMarcusCatalog.com (http://www.jlmarcuscatalog.com/)


Jenny Quarterly Package Service
P.O. Box 3323
Sparks, Nevada 89432-3323
Ph: (877) 358-8696
www.jennypackage.com (http://www.jennypackage.com/)


Mikes Better Shoes
1252 Berlin-Haddonfield Road
Voorhees, NJ 08043
(800) 431-1911
www.mikesbettershoes.com (http://www.mikesbettershoes.com/)


MGM Packages
P.O. Box 304
Chico, CA 95327
(530) 566-9878
www.mgmpackages.com (http://www.mgmpackages.com/)


Music by Mail
129 31st Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
(718) 369-6982


Packages R Us
2648 East Workman Ave. #424
West Covina, CA 91791
Ph: (866) 303-7787
www.packagesrus.com (http://www.packagesrus.com/)


Security Packaging
PO. Box 1420
Paradise, CA 95967
Ph: (800) 891-1351


Union Supply Direct
P.O. Box 7006
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220-7006
Ph: (866) 404-8989
www.CaliforniaInmatePackage.com (http://www.californiainmatepackage.com/)


U.S. Care Packages/Jpay
P.O. Box 260996
Encino, CA 91426-0996
Ph: (800) 574-5729
www.jpay.com (http://www.jpay.com/)

The Vitamin Outlet
Fitness Systems Mfg. Corp.
P.O. Box 2073
Sinking Spring, PA 19608
(800) 822-9995


Walkenhorst’s
1774 Industrial Way
Napa CA 94558
(800) 660-9255
https://walkenhorsts.com (https://walkenhorsts.com/)


Yellow Ribbon Online
580 N. Beach Street
Fort Worth, TX 76111
Ph: (866) 959-7426
www.yellowribbononline.com (http://www.yellowribbononline.com/)

Money Orders: Get some money on his books asap, having stamps, paper, soups, envelopes, ect gives them something to barter with. And the first trip to the canteen is heaven for some real soap and toothpaste.
Enclose a money order in a letter to him made out to him with his cdc#, block and cell#on it. The mail room will remove it and it will be on his books the next week. He can then order from canteen and get it the following week.

Reception Inmates:

Letters: include their CDC # House and Bunk # if you don't have this info call Reception Records and they will give it to you.

You can send: Letters with NO LABELS, 20-4X6 Pictures, 20 stamps or pre-stamped envelopes, 20 SHEETS of LINED BINDER PAPER ONLY, per mailing.

No Phones In Reception: