Kern Valley State Prison

PrisonPath says:

You can obtain the visitation schedule and visitation rules from our web site and the prison web site. The prison is not going to release the name of an inmate’s last visitor.

PrisonPath says:

Hi Lorena,

please note all of the information about visitation. In addition, if you want additional information about prison life, click this link.

Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison

If you are approved to visit, the prisoner is notified and he/she must notify you.
Once approved, you are listed in the computer as being an approved visitor for the
prisoner; you do not need to bring any proof of approval with you to the prison.
If you are disapproved, you will receive a letter from the prison setting forth the
reason for disapproval; the prisoner will also receive notice of the disapproval
but will not be given the reason. If you are denied approval to visit, you may
reapply, you may appeal the denial and/or the prisoner may appeal the denial. If
the reason for the denial is based on inaccurate or incomplete information on the
Visitor Questionnaire, you may resubmit an accurate and complete questionnaire.
Sometimes the reason for denial is that the prison requires additional information
(for example, evidence that the applicant is no longer on probation); in those cases,
you should resubmit the questionnaire and provide the additional information.
If you do not agree with the reason given for the disapproval, you may appeal
by writing to the Warden at the prison. He/she is required to respond to your
appeal within 15 working days of receiving the appeal. If dissatisfied with the
institution’s response or action, you may refer your appeal, with a copy of the
institution’s decision, to the Director of the Division of Adult Institutions or his/her
designee at: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of
Adult Institutions, P. O. Box 942883, Sacramento, California, 94283-0001, Attention:
Director, Room 351-N. A written response to appeals addressed to the Director shall
be provided within 20 working days from the date of receipt. The prisoner may
independently appeal the denial of approval by utilizing the normal prisoner appeal
process within the prison.
Sometimes emergency or hardship visits are allowed before a person has been
approved to visit. Such visits are at the discretion of prison staff (usually the Visiting
Sergeant or Lieutenant) and are usually to accommodate an unexpected visitor
traveling from a distance in excess of 250 miles. You should not rely on receiving
approval to visit without going through the normal visiting application process.
Whenever possible, you should plan ahead for visits and have each adult who might
want to visit submit applications before they embark on a trip that will include a visit
to a prisoner.
B. Locating a Prisoner
To find the location of the prisoner you wish to visit, you can visit the CDCR WebsiteInmate Locator
. If you do not have access to a
computer, you can call the Identification Unit at (916) 445-6713, or fax that unit a
request at (916) 322-0500. If you call the Identification Unit, you will need to provide
the full name and date of birth of the prisoner you wish to locate or his/her CDCR
identification number. The Identification Unit will provide you with only the
prisoner’s current location and his identification number but is unable to provide
you with any other information. The Identification Unit is available only Monday
through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It may take up to
a week for housing information on a prisoner only recently admitted to CDCR or
transferred between prisons to get in the computer system (and thus be available
through the Identification Unit).
Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
3
C. Prisoner’s Eligibility to Visit and Types of Visits
All prisoners are eligible to receive visits unless they have temporarily lost that
privilege due to disciplinary action. There are, however, different types of visits.
Most prisoners are in the general population and may receive contact visits. Contact
visits allow the prisoner to sit together with his/her visitors and have limited
physical contact with them (a brief kiss and/or hug at beginning and end of visit,
hold hands during the visit). These visits occur in a large visiting room, usually
furnished with tables and chairs and usually shared with many other prisoners and
visitors. Contact visits are restricted to five visitors at a time. Contact visits are
not limited in duration except for normal visiting hours or terminations caused by
overcrowding to allow other visits to begin.
Prisoners who are still in reception (recently admitted to CDCR or transferred
between prisons) or who are segregated (i.e., Administrative Segregation, Security
Housing Units, Adjustment Centers, pending specific rules violation report charges,
or assigned to Behavior Management Units) are restricted to non-contact visits.
Non-contact visits occur with a glass partition between the prisoner and his/her
visitors. The prisoner is escorted in handcuffs by staff to the visit. The handcuffs
are removed only after the prisoner is secured in his/her side of the visiting booth;
thus, parents who do not wish to have children see the prisoner in restraints should
wait away from the booth or glass partition until the prisoner is settled. Non-contact
visits are restricted to three visitors and are limited in time (usually one to two hours,
depending on the prison and the reason for the non-contact status of visits).
Prisoners on Death Row, often referred to as “condemned” prisoners, are housed
either at San Quentin State Prison in Marin County (men) or at Central California
Women’s Facility in Chowchilla (women). “Condemned Grade A” prisoners on
Death Row may receive contact visits (meaning no partition between prisoner and
his/her visitor) unless their visiting privileges have been restricted for disciplinary
or security reasons. “Condemned Grade B” prisoners on Death Row may only
receive non-contact visits. All Condemned visits are in a secured booth and involve
the prisoner being escorted to visiting in handcuffs. Visits for all prisoners on Death
Row are limited in time (usually one to two hours).
Some prisoners are eligible for “family visits.” These visits occur in private,
apartment-like facilities on prison grounds and last approximately 30 to 40 hours.
Prisoners on Death Row, with life sentences, with convictions for sex offenses,
or under disciplinary restrictions are not eligible for family visits. Family visits
are restricted to approved visitors who are immediate family members (parents,
children, siblings, legal spouses, or registered domestic partners) of the prisoner.
Family visits are further restricted by availability; usually one visit every three to five
months. An eligible prisoner must put in an application for a family visit with his
assigned Correctional Counselor I at the prison. This handbook focuses on regular
(weekend and holiday) visiting and not on family visiting. Further inquiry about
family visiting should be directed by the prisoner to his/her counselor or by the
family to visiting staff
In addition to the types of visits available, there are other factors which may restrict
a prisoner’s eligibility to visit. Some of these factors require the visitor to check with
the prisoner about his/her particular circumstances, while other factors require the
visitor to check with the prison. Such factors include:
The prisoner’s work or school hours:
Generally a prisoner may not visit during
the hours he/she is assigned to a job or to school. Under limited cir
cumstances,
a prisoner may obtain permission to visit during work or school hours, but such
circumstances are generally limited to family visits, a rare visit (visitor has not visited
in more than six months), an emergency visit (death or serious illness of family
member), or excessive distance (visitor comes from more than 250 miles and has
not visited in the last 30 days). The prisoner must obtain prior written approval to
visit during work or school hours by seeking Excused Time Off (ETO) from his/her
supervisor.
The prisoner’s criminal history:
Some prisoners may have restrictions to visit
with minors based on their convictions. If the prisoner you wish to visit has been
convicted of a criminal offense involving a minor, you should check with him/her if
you plan to bring children (even if the children are the prisoner’s children) to visit.
Medical quarantines:
Sometimes part or all of a prison is quarantined to control
the spread of a contagious disease. When that occurs, visiting is not allowed for any
prisoners housed in areas under quarantine. The 800 Visitors’ Information number
(800-374-8474) will advise a visitor whether there is a medical quarantine and which
parts of the prison are affected.
Lockdowns or Modified Program:
Prisons are often placed on “lockdowns” or
“modified programs” in response to threats to the safety of staff and prisoners or the
security of the institution. These “modified programs” may be restricted to specific
groups of prisoners, areas of the institution, or in the case of a lockdown, are applied
to all prisoners in all area of the institution. The 800 Visitors’ Information number,
noted in the preceding, will provide information regarding lockdowns and modified
programs and which prisoners are restricted from visiting as a result. Since both
lockdowns and medical quarantines can occur with very limited notice, it is wise to
check the Visitors’ Information number just before leaving for a visit.
Hospitalized Prisoners:
When a prisoner is seriously ill or injured, he/she may
be hospitalized, in either a prison hospital or a community hospital. Visits with
hospitalized prisoners are only considered for prisoners having life threatening or
critical injuries or illnesses. These special visits are restricted to immediate family
members with current approval to visit at the institution. Requests to visit at a
community hospital must be approved by the Warden and attending physician.
Visitors should make requests to visit by contacting the Warden’s office.
D. Visiting Days and Hours
Every prison has visiting on Saturdays, Sundays, and four holidays during each
calendar year (New Year’s Day, July 4th (Independence Day), Thanksgiving Day, and
Christmas Day). Visits vary by institution but usually begin between 7:30 a.m. and
8:00 a.m. and end between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. To find out the days and visiting
hours for the prison you are going to visit, call the 800 Visitors’ Information number
(800-374-8474) and follow the directions given on the recording to find the pri
Facility Locations
. In addition to providing information regarding days
and hours for visiting, the 800 Visitors’ Information number and website will also
provide information on lockdowns, medical quarantines, or other circumstances
affecting visiting, addresses, and directions to the prisons.
E. Appointments to Visit
Some institutions schedule visitor processing times for the first two to three hours
of visitor processing to reduce crowding in the Visitor Processing Centers. You
should contact the institution you plan to visit for more information regarding visitor
processing scheduling.
All visits with a prisoner restricted to non-contact visiting and all visits with a
prisoner on Death Row require an appointment to visit. Those appointments are
made by telephoning a specified number at the prison during specified hours
during the week. The 800 Visitors’ Information number and the CDCR website have
information regarding the making of such appointments.
F. Identification Required for Visiting
All adults must present identification when being processed to visit. Acceptable
forms of identification must be valid and current (not expired) and include:
•
A driver’s license (from any state) with photo;
•
A Department of Motor Vehicle identification card (from any state) with photo;
•
An armed forces identification card with photo;
•
A United States Department of Justice Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) identification card;
•
A United States passport with photo or a foreign passport with photo; or
•
A photo identification issued by the Mexican Consulate.
Minors (children under 18 years old) are required to be accompanied by an adult
who is an approved visitor. If the minor child(ren) is accompanied by his/her
parent, the only paperwork necessary is a certified copy of the minor child(ren)’s
birth certificate. If the minor is accompanied by his/her legal guar
dian, a certified
copy of the minor child(ren)’s birth certificate and proof of legal guardianship is
required. If the minor child(ren) is accompanied by someone other than his/her
parent or legal guardian, in addition to the certified copy of the minor child(ren)’s
birth certificate, the adult must also bring a notarized written consent authorization
form (see Attachment 2) signed by the minor child(ren)’s parent or legal guardian
expressly giving permission for the minor child(ren) to visit a prisoner. The
written consent authorization form must include the name of the prisoner the
minor child(ren) is allowed to visit, the name of the person who is authorized
bring the minor child(ren) into the prison, and the date(s) of the proposed visit(s).
The notarization must be on the original written consent authorization form and
cannot be attached to it. The written consent authorization form to bring in a minor
child(ren) must be updated each year.
G. Attire Restrictions
There are restrictions on what you may wear to a prison. In general, there are four
rules to remember:
1.
Do not wear clothing that resembles the clothing that prisoners wear
a.
Blue denim pants;
b.
Blue chambray shirts;
c.
Orange jumpsuits or Orange tops with Orange bottoms;
d.
Red tops (Pleasant Valley State Prison only); or
e.
Dresses that resemble prisoner muumuu (female institutions only)
2.
Do not wear clothing that resembles what custodial staff wear
a.
Forest green pants;
b.
Tan shirts; or
c.
Camouflage
3.
Dress conservatively and modestly; and
4.
Do not wear any item that cannot be taken off and will not clear a metal detector
(such as an underwire bra or clothing with metal buttons).
There are specific restrictions:
•
No blue denim, blue chambray, orange jumpsuits or orange tops with orange
bottoms;
•
No forest green bottoms with tan tops;
•
No camouflage unless identification shows active or reserve military personnel;
•
No strapless, halter, bare midriff, sheer, or transparent clothing;
•
No skirts, dresses, or shorts that expose more than two inches above the knee;
•
No clothing that exposes the breast, genitalia, or buttocks area;
•
No very tight, form-fitting attire;
•
No wigs, hairpieces, extensions, or other headpieces except for medical r
easons
and with prior approval;
•
No hats or gloves, except with prior approval or in inclement weather; and
•
No shower shoe
Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
7
Prisons sometimes have their own local rules regarding visiting attire that is deemed
unacceptable (i.e., “excess” jewelry, layered outfits, shoes without straps around the
heel). It is wise to check with your local institution prior to your visit.
Most prisons have a Visitor Center that will lend you used but clean clothing if the
clothing you wore is rejected by staff. The funding for these Visitor Centers is not
always secure and thus the centers may not always be open. For these reasons, it is
good practice to bring an extra set of clothing in the car in case you need to change.
If an officer tells you that your clothing is unacceptable but you feel that you have
complied with the rules and your clothing is acceptable, you may ask to speak with
the Visiting Sergeant or Lieutenant, who will make the decision about your clothing.
Although a minor must clear the metal detector, children under 36 inches are not
subject to the restrictions related to colors of clothing or types of materia

Visitors are strictly limited in the items they may bring into the prison. Items
allowed without prior approval are limited to the following:
•
A $50 limit per adult and $20 limit per minor; only as dollar bills, dollar coins
and quarters (change machines are usually available but they may be out of
order or out of change);
•
A small (generally 6” by 8”) clear, plastic purse or bag;
•
Two keys on a ring with no other attachments. One key may be an electronic car
keys;
•
Identification (as previously specified);
•
A comb or brush; non-metallic, no pointed end or detachable parts;
•
A small unopened pack of tissues or a handkerchief; no bandannas;
•
A pair of prescription glasses;
•
Ten Photographs, no larger than 8” by 10”; photos may be shown to the
prisoner, but must be taken out by the visitor at the end of the visit; photos
cannot be Polaroid and may not include any sexual or gang images; photos will
be viewed by staff during processing;
•
Documents up to 10 pages, no larger than 8-1/2” by 11” (standard size typing
paper); usually such documents will be either papers for the prisoner’s
signature (for example, tax forms), information to share with the prisoner (for
example, pages showing classes available through a correspondence course), or
family papers (for example, a child’s report card, certificate of achievement, or
drawing), but they can be anything that can be sent to the prisoner through the
mail. Documents will be viewed and read by staff during processing and must
be taken out by the visitor at the end of the visit;
•
The following baby items are allowed when bringing in an infant or toddler:
any combination of two factory-sealed single serving size, ready to feed
Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
8
bottles of baby formula or two transparent plastic baby bottles either empty or
containing pre-mixed formula/milk/juice/water; three non-glass containers of
baby food in sealed packaging; one plastic spoon; six disposable diapers; one
sealed package of baby wipes; one change of clothing; one small blanket; two
searchable small toys; one transparent pacifier; one burp cloth; baby carrier; and
clear plastic diaper bag (12” by 20”);
•
Inclement weather gear that may include hoods, raincoats, hats, scarves, and
gloves during the winter or sun hats during the summer. [Note: Prisons still
vary on inclement weather gear; it is recommended you check prior to your
visit.]
I. Medical Items Allowed
If you have a need to bring in items relating to a medical condition, you must have
documentation from your doctor as to its need. The documentation must include the
doctor’s name, address, telephone number, and medical license number and must
be updated every two years. With such verification as to its medical necessity, the
following are allowed:
•
Prescription medications that are life-sustaining or condition-stabilizing, such
as inhalers or nitroglycerin; medications must be in the original pharmacy
container with the patient’s name, the pharmacy name, and the doctor’s name,
as well as the medication’s name. Quantities of medication are limited to what
may be needed during the visit.
•
Mobility devices such as canes, crutches, and wheelchairs; some prisons do
not allow personal canes, crutches, or wheelchairs to be taken into visiting but
require the visitor to exchange his/her personal device for a prison-issue device
and then exchange back after the visit.
•
Hats with documentation that they are medically necessary.
•
Seat cushions or backs with documentation that they are medically necessary.
•
If you have an implant or prosthetic device that includes metal and will set off
the metal detector, you must have documentation from a doctor specifying the
nature and location of the implant or device. With such documentation, staff
will use a wand to sweep your body instead of the metal detector to ensure
security.
J.
Religious Items or Clothing
If your religion requires you to wear a certain type of clothing that would otherwise
be unacceptable by operating procedures, such as Muslim headdress or Catholic
habits, you will be allowed to wear the clothing; however, you may be required
to remove it for inspection in a private location with an officer of the same gender
present before you are allowed into the visiting room.
Most visiting rooms have copies of the Bible, the Koran, and the Torah. If you wish
to bring in the bible of your faith because a copy is not present in the visiting room,
ask the Visiting Sergeant or Lieutenant for permission. K.
Other Accommodation Issues
Service animals (usually dogs specially trained to provide assistance to a disabled
person) are allowed to assist a disable visitor. The visitor must have some form of
documentation, harness, or markings identifying the animal as a service animal
(although it need not be a license or certification from a government agency). The
animal and the visitor will have to clear the metal detector, but disabled visitors will
not be separated from the service animal at any time. It is the responsibility of the
visitor to ensure that the service animal is properly controlled and behaved at all
times.
Every visiting room has some furniture reserved for those needing accommodation.
If you need some accommodation, ask visiting staff.
L.
Visitor Centers
Most prisons have a Visitor Center. These centers provide some babysitting services,
some transportation services (such as between a nearby bus or train stop and the
prison), and some clothing assistance (when the prison has rejected the clothing
worn by a visitor). Additionally, the staff at the Centers are an available source of
information regarding visitation, mail, telephone calls, and other issues that may
arise as family members and friends try to maintain connections with an incarcerated
loved one. Some of these centers also provide informational training on issues
including medical (e.g., HIV, STDs, and AIDS), children (e.g., how to help a child
whose parent has gone to prison), or other concerns.
As noted before, the funding for these Visitor Centers is not always secure and their
services may be intermittently interrupted. Nevertheless, you may find it helpful to
visit the Center at the prison where you visit and check into its services
Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
10
Arrival for Visiting
A.
Arrival
All prisons have specified visiting hours, usually starting between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00
a.m. and ending between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Both the Department’s website and
the Visitor Information line have information as to the visiting hours at the prison
you will be visiting.
Many prisons restrict how early a visitor may drive onto prison grounds for a visit;
usually about an hour before the start of visiting hours. Some visitors will arrive
before that time and line up in their cars directly outside the prison gates. As some
prisons are directly off freeways, highways, or other very busy roadways, that can
be potentially dangerous and, sometimes, in violation of traffic laws. All visitors
should be very careful in parking outside the gates; and when driving on grounds
be courteous and respectful of others as well as obeying all traffic laws. Visitors
found to be in violation of traffic laws may be subject to warnings, termination, or
suspension of visits.
B.
Car Searches
Most prisons do not have staff at the gate, so visitors are free to drive onto grounds
and to the visitor parking lot at the allowed time. Only a few prisons have staf
f at
the gate. At those prisons, staff distributes visiting passes to be filled out by visitors
for processing. Staff may conduct a visual inspection of the vehicle, including the
trunk, and may also utilize “drug dogs” (Narcotic Detection K-9’s) to assist them by
sniffing for drugs around the outside of the car. All visitors should understand that
it is a felony to bring any weapons or any illegal drugs onto prison grounds, and will
typically result in loss of visits and prosecution.
A visual inspection of the interior of your car from outside of the car is allowed
anytime you drive onto or off of prison grounds or when you are parked on prison
grounds. Additionally, a visual inspection of your trunk is allowed when driving
onto or off of grounds. Any further inspection of the interior of your vehicle requires
your consent, a search warrant, or reasonable suspicion of a visitor attempting to
introduce or remove contraband or unauthorized items.
C.
Parking
All prisons have parking available for visitors, in a parking lot separate fr
om the
parking lot for staff. Visitors should take care to park in the appropriate places.
Most prisons have adequate parking for all visitors, but the parking may r
equir
e a
fairly long walk to the processing center or the boarding of a prison van or bus to be
driven to the processing center. Parking for disabled visitors is provided in specially-
marked places.
All visitors should be careful for themselves and their children in walking through
the parking lot, as often there is substantial moving traffic. Visitors should walk
from their cars to the line, as running on prison grounds is not allowed and may be
perceived as an emergency

D.
Waiting
There will be a wait from the time you arrive at a prison to the time you are
processed to visit. Typical wait times for processing are not excessive. However, on
occasion may be as long as two hours, depending on the number of visitors, the time
of day, and conditions of processing (including the size of the processing center, the
number of staff, and the speed of processing). The wait times are usually longer first
thing in the morning, when many visitors arrive all at the same time.
The conditions under which visitors must wait depend on the particular prison, but
visitors should be cautioned that the wait may be without shelter (even in the rain,
snow, or strong heat), may be without bathrooms, and may be in an area with traffic
hazards or restricted movement (including not allowing children to move around).
As noted previously, there are Visitor Centers at most of the prisons, and those
Centers provide bathrooms, shelter, and activities for children. At a few prisons,
visitors are given numbered passes either when they drive onto grounds or once they
are parked and get in line. If you have a numbered pass, that will secure your place
in line while you go to the Visitor Center; however, since most prisons do not hand
out numbered passes, going to the Visitor Center will require the visitor to go to the
end of the line when he/she returns to the line.
Some prisons require scheduled appointments for visitors during the first two
to four hours of visiting. At these prisons, visitors without appointments will be
processed on a first-come, first-in-line, first served basis; but not until all visitors with
appointments have been processed. Appointments can be made either by
e-mail and/or telephone, but only during specified hours. The 800 V
isitors’
Information number and the CDCR website will have information regarding whether
the prison you are visiting requires appointments and how to make an appointment
Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
12
Processing of Visitors
A.
Processing Times
The processing of visitors and the movement of the line begins at the time posted
for visiting to begin. Processing continues until an hour before the time posted for
visiting to end.
Processing of visitors may be suspended at times due to staffing issues or a
temporary emergency. Delays in visitor processing cannot be predicted, and last
only as long as necessary to manage the issue(s) causing the delay.
B.
Passes and Computer Checks
Every adult visitor must fill out a pass each time he/she visits. The pass calls for the
prisoner’s name and CDCR number, the relationship of the visitor to the prisoner
(spouse, mother, friend, etc.), the visitor’s name and address, and the visitor’s
signature. If the adult visitor is bringing in minor children, he/she lists the names of
the children on the pass.
The completed pass is submitted to staff. Using a computer, staff checks the
prisoner’s file to make sure the visitor is an approved visitor and that the prisoner
is eligible to visit on that day. Staff marks the pass with the prisoner’s housing and
notes whether the visit is contact or non-contact.
The pass, along with the visitor’s identification, is the visitor’s “key” to get into and
out of the prison. Although the pass and identification may be held by staff once the
visitor gets to the visiting room, it will be returned to the visitor upon leaving the
visiting room.
C.
Searches of Visitors
It is a felony for anyone to attempt to bring into the prison any drugs or weapons.
It is against prison rules, and sometimes is a criminal offense for which one can be
prosecuted, for anyone to attempt to bring in any item not allowed by the prison.
Visitors are required to follow all rules, regulations, and laws while on institution
grounds. To ensure that prohibited items are not allowed into the prison, all visitors
and their possessions are searched before the visitor is allowed to visit.
Visitors must remove all outer clothing (jackets, sweaters, etc.), shoes, and any
jewelry that will set off the metal detector. Those items are placed along with other
allowable items (money, comb, baby items, etc.) on either a conveyor belt for an x-ray
search or on a counter for a manual search by staff. The visitor, including all minors,
must clear a metal detector. If a visitor has an implant or a prosthesis that prevents
him/her from clearing a metal detector or if he/she cannot go through a metal
detector (because, for example, he/she cannot get out of his/her wheelchair), staff
will use a hand-held metal-detector on the visitor as long as the visitor has presented
a letter from a medical doctor verifying the location of the implant or prosthesis.
Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
13
Visitors who, for religious reasons, cannot remove all outer clothing (such as scarves,
burkas, yamakas, etc.) will be taken to a private room where they can remove the
item and staff of the same gender will use a wand to search.
Visitors with devices to assist their mobility (wheelchairs, canes, etc.) may be
required to exchange their device for a prison-issued device and exchange back as
they leave the prison.
Children are subject to the same searches. A child too young to walk through a
metal detector alone may be carried through the metal detector by the adult visitor
escorting the child in.
Any search beyond the searching of belongings and the clearing of the metal
detector is allowed only if there is cause to believe the visitor is attempting to bring
a prohibited item into the prison. If such cause exists, the visitor must be advised, in
writing, of the reason for the search and the name of the prison official ordering the
search. The visitor has a right to refuse the search, but the refusal will result in the
visitor not being allowed to visit for the day; and may result in future visits being
conditioned upon a search greater than the usual search of belongings, and clearing
a metal detector, for as long as staff has cause to believe the visitor is attempting to
bring in a prohibited item.
Visitors may not be searched without their consent unless there is a warrant that
requires such a search or unless the visitor is being detained for arrest for unlawful
actions that present an immediate and significant threat to prison security. Actions
which do not present an immediate and significant threat to prison security but are
nonetheless unlawful, may result in the visitor being detained or escorted off prison
grounds and prison officials referring the matter to local law enforcement, but may
not result in a request of the visitor to submit to search by prison staff.
After clearing the metal detector, staff will stamp the back of one of the visitor’s
hands with an ultraviolet ink stamp. At most prisons, visitors are required to put
their hands under an ultraviolet light and show the stamp as they exit the visiting
room and/or prison.
D.
Getting to the Visiting Room
Most prisons have more than one visiting room. Staff will write which visiting room
the visitor is to go to on the pass. At most prisons, visitors walk from the processing
center to the visiting room; but at some prisons, visitors must wait for a prison bus or
van to take them from the processing center to the visiting room
In the Visiting Room
A.
Turning in Pass and Awaiting Prisoner’s Arrival
Upon arrival to the visiting room, the visitor turns in the pass to staff. At some
prisons, the visitor also surrenders his/her identification to staff; at other prisons, the
visitor must show his/her identification but otherwise holds onto it during the visit.
Staff then uses the information on the pass to call the housing unit and advise the
prisoner that he/she has a visit and should come to the visiting room.
Usually it should not take more than twenty minutes for a prisoner to get to the
visiting room after staff has called. That period can be longer due to factors such as
the need for an escort, the readiness of the prisoner for his/her visit, or unforeseen
lockdowns, incidents on the yard, or quarantines. If a visitor has been waiting
more than 30 minutes, he/she should ask staff about the delay. Staff will typically
know whether the delay is a prison-related issue and advise the visitor; if it is not,
the visitor should ask staff to call again for the prisoner. (When visiting room staff
calls the housing unit for the prisoner, it becomes the responsibility of housing unit
staff to advise the prisoner. Sometimes housing unit staff are diverted by other
responsibilities and forget to advise the prisoner, so it is important to inquire if you
have been waiting for more than 30 minutes.)
Prisons count their prisoner population at certain times during the day. Movement
of prisoners is frozen during those periods, and no prisoner will be released to the
visiting room. The only count that is likely to interfere with visiting during the
weekend hours is the Close Custody Count which prevents prisoners from going to
the visiting from about 11:15 a.m. until the count is cleared around 12:45 p.m. The
prisoner you are going to see will be able to tell you whether he/she is close custody
and what time the “close custody” count is on Saturday and Sunday. If you arrive
in the visiting room during a count period, you will be required to wait for the
prisoner’s arrival until count has cleared (meaning that the prison has accounted for
all the prisoners being counted), a period that can last more than an hour.
B.
Seating
All prison visiting rooms have chairs set up for prisoners and their visitors to use
while visiting. Most prison visiting rooms also have small tables, usually about
24 inches square and no more than 18 inches high. (A limited number of larger, taller
tables are available for disabled prisoners or disabled visitors.) At some prisons, staff
assigns the visitors to a specific table and/or chairs; at other prisons, the visitors ar
e
allowed to choose where they wish to sit.
Prisoners and visitors are subject to continuous surveillance. Most prison visiting
rooms have surveillance cameras. All visiting rooms are staffed by several
correctional officers. There is usually a podium or control booth where at least one
officer will sit; others will walk throughout the room. Prisoners are usually required
to sit facing the podium or control booth. Visitors are usually allowed to sit facing
any direction, but some prisons may have restrictions for visitor seating as well

Many visiting rooms have adjoining patios that prisoners and their visitors may use.
The patios may have some grass, some play equipment for small children, and some
furniture (benches, chairs, tables). The patios may be available for use during all
visiting hours or only at restricted times.
Some visiting rooms have an area set aside for small children. The area is usually
relatively small (about the size of a typical bedroom) and has toys, games, and books
for the children. Children must be supervised at all times while on prison grounds
by the adult who has accompanied them to the prison, including whenever the
children are in the play area. Failure to adequately supervise children can result in
the termination of the visit, but it can also result in a lack of safety for the children, so
visitors should be diligent about supervision and not allow other adults (prisoners or
other visitors) to supervise their children. No adults (neither prisoners nor visitors)
are allowed in the play area except when supervising their children.
C.
Contact Between Prisoners and Visitors
Prisoners and their visitors are allowed to briefly kiss and/or hug at the beginning
and the end of visits. The only physical contact allowed between prisoners and
their adult visitors at other times is holding hands. Prisoners may also hold minor
children whom they are visiting.
Physical contact between a prisoner and visitor beyond that described previously,
is considered “excessive” and can be cause for staff to terminate the visit and, in
some cases, to either suspend the visiting privileges of the visitor for some period
and/or to discipline the prisoner. Although most staff will use common sense and
not overreact to transitory non-sexual touching (a prisoner physically guiding his/
her wife/husband away from an obstacle as they walk, a mother brushing dirt off a
prisoner’s shirt), behaviors such as feeding each other, touching each other’s faces,
adjusting each other’s clothing, and the like should be avoided.
D.
Food, Photographs, and Games
Visiting rooms have vending machines stocked with food and beverages for
purchase by visitors and consumption by visitors and prisoners. A visitor may not
bring any food or beverage from the outside into the prison and cannot take out
any food or beverage bought at the prison when he/she leaves. Vending machines
usually have sodas, water, sandwiches (including burgers), and burritos, popcorn,
candy, pastries, and coffee. At some prisons, vending machines may also include
fresh fruits and vegetables. The prices will vary for such items but usually are about
a dollar for a can of soda or bag of popcorn and three to four dollars for a sandwich.
The visiting room has microwave ovens for the heating of frozen items.
Although at most prisons the prisoners are allowed to go to the vending machines
with their visitors in order to select the food items they want, no prison allows
the prisoners to touch either the money or the vending machines. A prisoner who
handles money is subject to having his/her visit terminated and may be disciplined

Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
16
Most prisons provide limited board and card games for prisoners and their visitors
to play together. These may include Scrabble, Dominoes, Uno, Checkers, Chess,
and other like games. Most prisons also have children books that prisoners can read
to their minor visitors as well as religious materials from most major religions (the
Bible, the Torah, the Koran).
Prison visiting rooms have digital cameras available for photographs of prisoners
and/or their visitors to be taken. There is a cost for the photographs, usually two
dollars for each photograph. At some prisons, the visitor purchases a “ticket” for
the photograph either from staff in the processing center or from a vending machine
in the processing center or in the visiting room. At other prisons, the prisoner is
required to purchase the photo ticket from the canteen. Either staff or a prisoner
who works in the visiting room takes and prints the photograph and it is given to
the prisoner during the course of the visit. Either the prisoner may keep the photo
(taking it back with him/her after his/her visit) or the visitor may take the photo.
E.
Rules and Violations
Per the Department Operations Manual, Section 54020.29.1 – Suspension or
Exclusion of Visitors from the Visiting Program, it states, “Visitors violating a
policy, regulation, or law are subject to denial, suspension, or revocation of a visit in
progress or exclusion from the visiting program in accordance with California Code
of Regulations (CCR), Title 15, Subsections 3176 – 3176.3.”
All visitors should also be aware that CDCR is prohibited from recognizing hostages
for bargaining to affect an escape by inmates or for any other reason(s). In addition,
the prison may be surrounded by an electric fence. To protect visitors, especially
children, from being injured, visitors are cautioned to stay away from the perimeter
fence line.
It is a felony for a former inmate or parolee/probationer to be on the grounds of
any prison for any reason without prior written approval from the Warden of that
institution. Persons discharged from parole must provide proof of discharge along
with the Warden’s written permission to visit.
This handbook has already touched on several rules relating to visiting, including
rules regarding supervision of minors, physical contact between prisoners and visitors,
and bringing or attempting to bring items into the prison. In general, rules exist to
protect the safety and security of the prison, staff, prisoners, and visitors, (for example,
not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not using gang slogans, or walking
somewhere on prison grounds you are not allowed.) You should behave as a reasonable
person would behave in a public place (for example, staying fully clothed at all times,
not verbally or physically fighting with others, not being defian
t to staff.) Prisoners
and visitors are subject to having their visits terminated and/or suspended for rule
violations and prisoners may also be disciplined for violations. Serious rule violations
(for example, bringing drugs or weapons to the prison or engaging in sexual contact in
the visiting room) can result in terminations, suspensions, and discipline even without
warning. Less serious rule violations will usually, although not always, result in
warnings first and termination, suspension, or discipline only u
pon a repeat violation
Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
17
A visitor whose visit is terminated or whose future visits are suspended, must be
given written notice of the violation, the reason for the termination or suspension,
and the name of the person authorizing the action. The visitor may appeal the
action by writing to the Warden; the Warden will respond within 15 days. If the
visitor disagrees with the Warden’s response, he/she can appeal to the Director of
Adult Institutions in Sacramento (address at the end of this handbook). Appeals to
Sacramento are to be answered within 20 days of receipt by the Director’s Office, but
may take longer due to the volume of appeals received and delays in the processing
of mail. The action taken by the prison remains in effect while the appeal is pending.
A prisoner whose visits are terminated or suspended or who has been disciplined
may appeal that process through the normal prisoner appeal process. Prisoners are
given information about process when they first enter prison.
F.
Overcrowding
Because there are limited visiting hours at prisons and the prisoner population is
large, there are times when more visitors arrive to visit than the visiting room can
accommodate. The prisons in very remote areas are less likely to experience this
problem than those closer to more-populous areas. When the visiting room becomes
overcrowded, staff will terminate some visits in order to allow waiting visitors to
come in to visit. Usually, terminations will be of those prisoners and visitors who
have been visiting the longest, at the time terminations become necessary, in order
to make space for waiting visitors. All prisoners and visitors who have their visits
terminated should receive a written termination report, indicating that the reason for
the termination was overcrowding. If a visitor is not offered a termination report,
he/she should ask for one.
In limited circumstances, a prisoner and/or his/her visitor may not have their
visit terminated even if the visiting room becomes overcrowded. Generally, the
exceptions apply to visitors who have traveled over 250 miles to get to the prison and
haven’t visited in 30 or more days, to disabled visitors who must rely on specialized
transportation to reach the prison, to visitors visiting due to a family emergency
(such as death or serious illness), to visitors who have not visited in six or more
months, and to prisoners who have married the day of the visit.
G.
Leaving After a Visit
Prisoners subject to non-contact visits have time-limited visits, usually one to two
hours; their visitors must leave at the end of the allotted time. Prisoners who receive
contact visits are allowed to visit until either their visits are terminated or until the
end of visiting. Visitors may leave a visit at any time or stay until the end of visiting.
Whenever the prisoner and visitor leave, it is their responsibility to clean up the area
in which they were visiting by returning any books or games and putting trash into
its proper place. Prisoners and visitors who have had contact visits may again share
a brief kiss and/or hug at the end of the visit.
All visitors must show (or collect) their identification and pick up their pass as they
leave the visiting room. Visitors should check and make sure they have been handed
the correct identification and pass by staff, as sometimes a mistake is made and is no

Visiting A Friend or Loved One In Prison
18
caught until the visitor gets to the processing center requiring them to return to the
visiting room to collect the correct items.
Prisoners who have had contact visits must undergo a search before they are allowed

to return to their housing units. Some prisons require that the visitor remain in the
visiting room until the prisoner has been searched and cleared. That process usually
takes only a few minutes; but if the visitor is leaving at the end of visiting, ther
e
will be many prisoners to be searched at the same time and the wait (if the visitor is
required to wait) can take much longer, up to 30 minutes. Once allowed to leave the
visiting room, the visitor returns to the processing center (either by walking or by
prison bus or van) and shows his/her identification and the stamp on his/her hand
and surrenders his/her pass. He/she is then free to leave prison grounds

PrisonPath says:

Hi,

You need to call the facility for that information.