CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS & REHABILITATION - CDCR

DO NOT SUBMIT A FILM PERMIT APPLICATION WITHOUT READING THE BELOW AND CONTACTING CDCR’S PRESS OFFICE FOR PRIOR APPROVAL.
The CDCR Press Office evaluates proposals to film in an adult institution, juvenile facility, community-based facility or parole unit on a case-by-case basis. This also includes scouts, visits and requests to film from rehabilitation program providers. There are many factors to consider when filming at an active institution including safety and security, public health, and staffing.

A THOROUGH PROPOSAL MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION (CDCR) BEFORE SUBMITTING ANY DOCUMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA FILM COMMISSION. No location scout and/or film request will be considered without the submission of a proposal. Important details regarding CDCR’s film request process, including what must be included in the proposal, can be found on the website link below titled Filming in Facilities - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

State law provides that CDCR may, on a case-by-case basis, accommodate requests from filmmakers, production companies and documentary producers to film inside its correctional facilities. Such access is granted within available resources consistent with the safe and secure operations of CDCR facilities. However, this type of filming is considered discretionary and fiscal concerns necessitate the need to focus on CDCR’s core mission-critical functions and avoid incurring extra staffing costs.

All non-news motion picture, radio, or television programs produced at any CDCR facility must have prior approval. For definition purposes, non-news related productions include features, documentaries, commercials, and pilots for proposed news or entertainment programs.

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