CloserVisit
HighU.S. Penitentiary

USP Atwater

Atwater, California

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Visiting schedule

Typical hours from the facility's visiting regulations.

Verified from official documentDocument date: February 14, 2017

Main institution

  • Saturday8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Sunday8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • No visiting: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Visiting on federal holidays Last entry / processing ends: 2:00 PM

Special Housing Unit (SHU)

  • Sunday8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  • No visiting: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Visiting on federal holidays

Rotation: Special Housing Unit (SHU) visits are on Sundays and federal holidays only; Unit 1B (also called SHU) visits are on Saturdays and federal holidays, same hours. Limited to 2 visitors, non-contact.

Restrictive Housing

  • Monday8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Sunday8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • No visiting: Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Last entry / processing ends: 2:00 PM

Rotation: Reintegration Housing Unit (RHU): Saturday and Sunday visits are non-contact; Monday visits are contact visits.

Max visitors at once

6

Visiting can be cancelled for lockdowns, weather or count problems. Call the facility the day before you travel.

Dress code

  • No low-cut, see-through, backless, tube-top, or tank-top clothing
  • No dresses or skirts above the knee, no miniskirts
  • No open-toed shoes or hats
  • No khaki, green, orange, gray, or camouflage-colored clothing
  • No sports or athletic attire

You may bring

  • Valid government-issued photo ID (required for visitors 16 and older)
  • One clear plastic change purse (max 8x8 inches)
  • Up to $30 in coins per adult for vending machines
  • Prescription eyeglasses
  • Essential medication (limited to amount needed during the visit)

Not allowed

  • Cell phones
  • Packages, gifts, food, or photos brought in for the inmate
  • Purses or bags that are not clear plastic
  • Personal documents or legal papers (unless pre-approved)
  • Weapons, drugs, or any contraband

Good to know

ID requirements
All visitors, except children under 16, must present valid government-issued photo identification before entry.
Children
Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who is also on the approved visiting list; children must be the son, daughter, brother, or sister of the visitor or inmate. Allowed baby items: 2 diapers, one unopened package of wipes, one change of clothing, 2 clear bottles with contents, 2 small unopened jars of baby food, one blanket, one clear cup, and one clear diaper bag (max 12x12 inches).
Vending machines
Only inmates cannot use the vending area; visitors buy items and must consume food before leaving. Inmates may not take food back to housing.
Money you may bring
Up to $30 in coins per adult visitor, carried only in a clear plastic change purse (max 8x8 inches)
  • Do not arrive at the parking lot before 8:15 a.m.
  • Processing closes at 2:00 p.m.; no visitors admitted after that
  • Large vehicles (RVs, campers, trailers) are not allowed on institution grounds

Getting there

Closest airports

MCE

Merced

Merced Regional Macready Field

24 min drive · 9 mi

SCK

Stockton

Stockton Metropolitan Airport

1 hr 29 min drive · 63 mi

FAT

Fresno

Fresno Yosemite International Airport

1 hr 31 min drive · 67 mi

OAK

Oakland

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport

2 hr 27 min drive · 114 mi

Hotels near the facility

Ranked by drive time to the facility gate.

Directions
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