I think I may be able to visit DVI next month sometime. Can someone please tell me how to go about visiting? I know you need to be approved and I'm working on that, and I know the visiting days are Sat and Sun. But I don't know what time or what I need to do to visit, I will be going to the "ranch". Is it a separate gate or do I go in the main gate? Do I need to wait in a car line or something?

Also, is Oakland the closest airport? I'll probably get my flight for Friday and leave on either Sunday night or Monday morning.

I would appreciate any and all help,

Thanks

Hi Mattsmom, I think you should try this question on the California Visitation forum. There are ots of posts there about DVI visiting. http://prisontalk.com/forums/images/misc/navbits_start.gif (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=483#) Prison Talk (http://prisontalk.com/forums/index.php) > U.S. REGIONAL FORUMS (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32) > CALIFORNIA (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=127) > CDC - What You Need to Know (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=310) http://prisontalk.com/forums/images/misc/navbits_finallink.gif (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=483) California Prison Visitation - General Q&A I know a regular poster or two on there had someone at the Farm. I hear it's not so bad there...comared to ther rest. Hapy for him that he made it there.

Don't know if Oakland is closer, but Sactamento airport is about 70 miles away and the traffic might be better. Anyway try that forum and you should get a lot of help.
Glad you might get to visit...

Hi Mattsmom, I think you should try this question on the California Visitation forum. There are ots of posts there about DVI visiting. [/URL]http://prisontalk.com/forums/images/misc/navbits_start.gif Prison Talk (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=483#) > U.S. REGIONAL FORUMS (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32) > CALIFORNIA (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=127) > CDC - What You Need to Know (http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=310) [URL="http://prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=483"]http://prisontalk.com/forums/images/misc/navbits_finallink.gif California Prison Visitation - General Q&A I know a regular poster or two on there had someone at the Farm. I hear it's not so bad there...comared to ther rest. Hapy for him that he made it there.

Don't know if Oakland is closer, but Sactamento airport is about 70 miles away and the traffic might be better. Anyway try that forum and you should get a lot of help.
Glad you might get to visit...

The information on the general forum is not specific to what I need to know about visiting "the ranch" at DVI, but thanks anyway I appreciate your taking the time to respond

I visited for many, many years at DVI, but never at the Ranch so I"m not quite sure if the process is different. I would recommend giving the prison a call and asking them if you check-in at the main building or go somewhere else. They should be able to tell you for sure, and then folks here can fill in the rest.

As for airports, you are probably fine with either Oakland or Sacramento. The traffic between the Tracy area and Oakland will be very bad during commute hours (from Oakland to Tracy in the evening, and away from Tracy in the mornings), so depending on what time you'll be driving take that into consideration.

Tracy is a pretty small town (though growing quickly), but is close to Stockton which is larger. You may have better luck with hotels/motels in Stockton.

I would personally fly into Sacramento, because you do not have to deal with the traffic, the prison is right off of Interstate 5. You can also check hotels/motels in Manteca, that is the closest or Lathrop. DVI is just minutes from both of those towns. :) Good luck coming out, Matt will be so excited. I know nothing about the Ranch. Good luck :)

Is there a visiting phone number I can call to make an appointment at DVI? Can't seem to find one anywhere...

Is there a visiting phone number I can call to make an appointment at DVI? Can't seem to find one anywhere...
To schedule an appointment at DVI, call this number 209-830-3900 on Thursday or Friday between the hours of 8AM and 11AM, for Saturday or Sunday visiting. There is also a visitor information hotline that you can call to tell you the status of the upcoming visiting and other info as well. Here is the number to the hotline: 1-800-374-8474. :)