Visiting

Visiting


The DMCCF's Visiting Program is intended as an avenue to develop and maintain healthy family and community relationships.  We hope that your visiting experience with DMCCF is enjoyable.

Visiting in DMCCF will be conducted in as accommodating a manner as possible in keeping with the need to maintain order, the safety of persons, the security of the facility and the requirements of prison activities and operations.  It is a privilege for inmates to have personal visits while confined at DMCCF.  Inmates are aware that failure to comply with the established regulations and policies by either their visitors and/or the inmate may result in warning, termination, suspension or revocation of visiting privileges.  These rules may appear restrictive, but they are intended to ensure the continued safety and security of the institution, staff, visitors and inmates.

We hope you will assist us in making DMCCF's visiting experience a pleasant one for you, your family, friends and the person you are visiting.

Normal Visiting Schedule

Fridays: 8:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
 
Saturdays & Sundays:  8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ( by appointments only) walk-ins after 12:00 p.m.
 
Designated Holidays:  8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (by appointments only) walk-ins after 12:00 p.m.
 
Inmates may visit only during their non-working/training hours except as provided in CCR Section 3045.2.

Designated Holidays:

The Department recognizes five major holidays that may or may not be on a regularly scheduled visiting day.  The designated visiting holidays are:
  1. New Year's Day
  2. Independence Day
  3. Labor Day
  4. Thanksgiving Day
  5. Christmas Day
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL VISITORS

All visitors entering DMCCF are subject to search of their person, vehicle and property to the degree necessary to ensure facility security and prevent the introduction of contraband. Visitors may leave the institution grounds rather than submit to search of their person, vehicle or property.  However, refusal to submit to the search will result in the denial of visitation for that day.  Visitors may not elect to leave the institution grounds rather than submit to a search when institution officials possess a court-ordered search warrant or the cause for a search warrant arises while the visitor is on institution grounds.

All visitors should be aware that the DMCCF is prohibited from recognizing hostages for bargaining to effect an escape by inmates or for any other reason(s).  All visitors should be aware that DMCCF does not negotiate for release of hostages to effect an escape or for any another reason(s).  To protect visitors, especially children, from being injured, visitors are cautioned to stay away from the perimeter fence line.

It is a crime to:
  • Assist an inmate to escape.
  • Bring onto the grounds any weapon, firearm, ammunition, explosive device, tear gas, pepper spray, alcohol or controlled substance, cameras and/or recording devices including any cell phone, or any tobacco related contraband/paraphernalia, such as cigarettes, cigars, lighters, etc.  
  • Take letters and/or written documents to or from an inmate.  
  • Falsely identify yourself to gain admission to the institution.
  • Enter without the permission of the Chief of Corrections if you have previously been convicted of a felony.
  • Improperly dispose of prescription drugs and/or medical supplies.

Visiting Rules


  1. Inmates and their visitors may embrace and kiss at the beginning and end of each visit; Other than one hug and one kiss, No other bodily contact shall be permitted.  Holding hands on top of the table is  permitted.  If the visitor's and/or inmate's hands are kept hidden from the officer, the visit will be terminated.
  2. Inmates will not handle money for the vending machines.  Visitors are authorized to bring in no more than a total of fifty dollars per adult visitor and twenty dollars per child (coins, dollar bills and five dollar bills only)
  3. Visitors are responsible for the behavior of their children.  Excessive noise or unruly behavior will cause the visit to be terminated.  Children must not be left unattended at any time.  Visitors must keep their children in sight at all times.  Women will not nurse their children in the visiting room.
  4. Visitors will not wear any shade of blue denim jeans or blue clothing.  No strapless tops, tank tops, spaghetti strap tops or dresses, bare midriffs, short shorts, mini-skirts, spandex tops and/or pants or skin tight clothing.  A spaghetti strap is defined as a strap less than 3" in width.  All shorts and skirts can be no shorter than two (2) inches above the knee.  Clothing that exposes the breast, genitalia, or buttocks area is prohibited.
  5. No shower shoes or bedroom slippers allowed.
  6. Visitors will not bring any toys, or head gear into the visiting room. 
  7. Visitors may bring no more than ten photographs into the visiting room to show the inmate.  Leaving any photographs with the inmate after the visit is over is strictly prohibited
  8. Only five (5) visitors per visit at a time, Including Children.
  9. Additional visitors will not be allowed into the visiting room after 2:30 p.m. on visiting days.
  10. Special visits for unusual conditions must be approved a week in advance by Director of Security.
  11. No drinks or food items of any kind such as gum, candy, medications, etc. are to be brought into the visiting room.  Special medications must be approved and held by visiting officer.
  12. Visiting is held each Saturday, Sunday and designated holiday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Visiting is also held each Friday from 12:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m..  The designated holidays are: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
  13. Any foul or disrespectful behavior toward any staff member before, during or after processing will not be tolerated and will be grounds for termination of the visit or denial of access to the visiting room.
  14. Cellular phones and similar electronic devices, pagers and electronic games are NOT allowed in the facility. 

Types of Visits



The following describes the type of visit and its limitations.  If the number of visitors on a particular day is especially high, visits my be terminated to allow all visitors the opportunity to use the visiting facilities.

Contact Visits

Contact visits mean that visitors may visit with the inmate in the visiting room.  The number of visitors is limited to no more than five per inmate, including children.  No time limit is imposed on contact visits except when the visiting room reaches capacity; visits may be terminted to make room for other visitors as they arrive.  The "first in, first out" rule is applied in this case.

Application Process:

The inmate shall send family members and friends an application (CDCR Form 106) to visit.  All adult visitors must complete the application and return it to DMCCF by mail.  The Visiting staff must approve the application before the family member and/or friend may visit.  This should take approximately 30 working days.  The CDCR Form 106 must be filled out completely and accurately.  Failure to provide all requested information might result in the request being either denied or delayed.

Adult Visitors:

The inmate will let each visitor know they are approved or denied.  If approved, a visitor may be required to update the application after 12 months.

Children:

Minors are only allowed to visit when they are accompanied by an approved adult visitor such as a parent, a court appointed legal guardian, or they have written, notarized permission to visit from the child's parent or legal guardian and a certified birth certificate or embossed abstract of birth.  Notarized letters must have the notary stamp on the original document; it must not be stapled or attached as an amendment and must be updated each calendar year.  Child victims are not allowed to visit any inmate convicted of sexual and/or physical abuse offense against the minor.  To protect the minor, the adult visitor must provide identification for each child visitor to verify the child is not the victim.

Attorneys/Legal Representatives:

An attorney of record or legal representative must make an appointment to interview an inmate.  The attorney visit will be scheduled through the CDCR staff's office.

Persons on Active Parole:

It is a felony for a former inmate to be on the grounds of any prison for any reason without prior written approval from the Chief of Corrections of our facility.  Parolees must have prior written approval from their Parole Supervisor and the Chief of Corrections at DMCCF, prior to coming on institutional grounds.  Persons discharged from parole must provide proof of discharge along with the Chief of Corrections' written permission to visit.

Acceptable Identification:

  • A valid state driver's license with picture (not laminated).
  • A valid state Department of Motor Vehicles Identification Card with picture (not laminated).
  • A valid Armed Forces Identification Card.
  • Identification Card issued by the United States Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Services.
  • Valid Federal Passport with picture.
Visitor Attire:

It is recommended that visitors dress conservatively and with the following guidelines in mind.  Inappropriate attire will be reason to deny a visit.  Any alteration to clothing once a visitor is inside the visiting area will be grounds for terminating the visit.

Prohibited Attire:
  • Clothing which, in any combination of shades or types of material/fabric, resembles California State-issued inmate clothing, blue denim or light to medium blue shirts, blue denim pants, and lime green jumpsuits.
  • Law enforcement or military-type forest green or camouflage patterned articles or clothing, including rain gear.
  • Clothing that exposes the breast/chest area, genital area, or buttocks.
  • Dresses, skirts, pants, and shorts exposing more than two inches above the knee, including slits.
  • Sheer or transparent garments.
  • Strapless or "spaghetti" straps. (Straps must be 3" or wider)
  • Clothing exposing the midriff area.
  • Clothing or accessories displaying obscene or offensive language or drawings and/or gang affiliation.
Allowable Items:

Visitors will be allowed to bring only the following items into the Visiting Room:

  • Valid photo identification (Mandatory).
  • Baby care items: one (1) baby bottle (plastic preferred) filled with milk or formula, juice or water; two (2) jars of baby food, unopened; one (1) clear pacifier; one (1) small baby blanket (single layer material only).  No quilted blankets, baby carriers, toys or books allowed.
  • Two (2) car keys: one (1) ignition and one (1) trunk key on a plain key ring with no attachments.
  • One (1) small (5"x 8") maximum, clear coin purse.
  • $50.00 per adult and $20.00 per child in coins, one dollar bills and/or five dollar bills for use in the vending machines.
  • One pair (1) prescription glasses (reading, driving or sunglasses).  No carrying cases are allowed.  Non-prescription sunglasses are not allowed unless the visitors provides written documentation from his or her optometrist stating a reason for the visitor to wear non-prescription glasses.
  • Personal jewelry is allowed.  Lockets equipped with compartments are not allowed.
  • Prescribed medications:  Only the amount necessary during visiting will be allowed.  All medications must be left with the Visiting Officer.  Non-prescription medicine is not permitted.
Prohibited Items:
  • Purses
  • Food.  All refreshments are to be purchased from the vending machines located in the visiting room.
  • Chewing gum
  • Cameras
  • Pagers
  • Cell phones
  • All tobacco products
  • Cigarette lighters
  • Writing Materials or Books.  (Unless approved prior to entering the Visiting Room).
  • Any other items so designated by the Chief of Corrections.
Search Requirements:

All visitors must successfully pass through a metal detector to enter the visiting area.  Any items that may set off the metal detector (e.g., hairclips, hairpins, jewelry, belts, belt buckles, suspenders, shoes, etc.), should be removed before attempting to pass through the metal detector.  If the visitor cannot successfully pass through the metal detector, the visitor is subject to delay or denial of visit.

Visitors who have implants or prosthetic devices must bring a notarized statement from their physician (on letterhead) detailing the implant or device and its specific location in the body.  Visitors with implants or prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, or other medical devices may contact the Visiting Officer for information and/or special instructions.

Special Circumstance Visits

In general, inmates who have work assignments are allowed to visit only during their non-work hours.  In some cases; however, an inmate may be approved to visit during his work hours for extraordinary circumstances.  These special circumstances include:

Excessive Distance:


Visitors who must travel a distance of 250 miles or more and has not visited the inmate within the past 30 days are entitled to two consecutive days of visiting while being exempt from early termination of the visit due to over crowding .  

Family Emergency:

When death, serious illness or injury occurs to an inmate's immediate family member, clergy person(s), family member or close friends may visit the inmate to offer condolences or to inform the inmate of the occurrence.  The emergency must be verified prior to the approval of the Emergency Visit.

Infrequent Visits:

When an inmate normally receives infrequent visits and a visitor unexpectedly arrives, a visit may be granted.  "Infrequent visit" is defined as not more than one visitor every six (6) months.

Close Custody Counts:

Inmates who due to either the length of their sentence or aberrant behavior are given the Close Custody level.  All close custody inmates will remain in plain view of the visiting floor officer.  Times at each institution or facility may vary; please contact the specific institution that you visit for specific Close Custody count hours.

Visiting Room Procedures:

Each visitor and inmate is responsible for his or her own conduct while visiting.  Violation of the rules and regulations may result in termination, restriction, suspension, or denial of visits.  Additionally, disciplinary charges may be filed against the inmate.  An inmate and his visitor(s) are allowed to embrace and kiss at the beginning and end of their visit.  Holding hands on top of the table in plain view is permitted, with no other physical contact.  Excessive contact, (kissing, massaging, stroking, and sitting with legs intertwined or sitting in laps) could result in termination of the visit.  Inmates cannot receive any items, gifts, money, jewelry, or documents during a visit.  However, the adult visitor may ask for a pencil and notebook paper as needed.  Children are to remain under the direct supervision and control of the visiting parent or guardian at all times.  Smoking is not allowed in the visiting room.

Citizen's Complaint Process:

If you have a problem concerning visiting, you request to speak with the Visiting Officer and/or Watch Commander.  Should the problem persist or you do not receive remedy, you may write the Chief of Corrections with a description of the problem and what resolution you are requesting.

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