I.
AUTHORITY;
The authority of the Board of Correction to promulgate this
regulation is vested in Act 50 of 1968, First Extraordinary Session.
II.
PURPOSE;
To describe the inmate visiting program that will be used in the
Department of Correction.
III.
APPLICABILITY;
All employees and especially those involved in the visitation
process; inmates; and visitors.
IV.
DEFINITIONS;
A.
Immediate Family
Member; consists of the inmate's father, mother, sisters,
brothers, spouse, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and may include other
relatives whose relationship with the inmate has been verified as that of a
parent or guardian.
B.
Special Visit; visits which occur on days other than
regular visitation days; visits granted to an inmate who normally may not
receive a visit; and/or an extended visitation period.
V.
POLICY;
It shall be the policy of the Department of Correction to permit
inmates to have visits with family, friends, attorneys, and spiritual advisors
under conditions that are consistent with the security and good order of
departmental operations.
VI.
PROCEDURES;
Visits shall be scheduled regularly at times that will assure
reasonable access to inmates and in accordance with the appropriate
administrative directive and unit/center standard operating procedures. Each
unit/center shall maintain a list of visitors approved for visitation of
individual inmates.
Rules pertaining to visitation shall be readily available for
visitors and inmates.
A. Approval
1. Persons under the age of 18 may visit only
with the permission of a parent or guardian.
2. Prospective visitors shall be subject to
an approval inquiry.
a. There will be no
approval inquiry required for attorneys and ministers of record.
3. Persons with a prior criminal
conviction(s) may be considered for a visit with an immediate family
member.
4. Upon good cause or
substantial evidence, persons believed to have a detrimental effect on the
iinmate or who constitute a threat to the security and good order of the
unit/center may be removed from an approved visitation list upon authorization
of the warden/center supervisor.
B. Searches
1. Visitors shall be made aware they shall be
subject to a search prior to visiting with an inmate.
2. All searches shall be conducted in
accordance with the appropriate administrative regulation and directives
concerning searches for and control of contraband.
C. Visiting Conditions
1. Visits shall be supervised by staff at all
times during the allocated time.
2.
Consistent with the security needs of the unit/center, contact visits may be
restricted.
a. Where contact visitation is
allowed, the inmate and visitors may briefly embrace upon arrival and departure
and may sit side-by-side. Small children may sit on the inmate's lap.
3. An attorney visiting area shall
be provided to ensure privileged communications between inmates and their
attorneys; however, the area used for these visits are subject to general staff
supervision.
C.
Visitation Restrictions
1. Limitations may be
imposed on the number of visitors an inmate may have at one time.
2. Items carried into the visitation area by
the visitor and inmate shall be restricted.
3. Any behavior on the part of the inmate or
visitor which is or may be disruptive to the security and good order of the
unit/center or is in violation of departmental policy/procedure will result in
denial or termination of the visit.
4. Other restrictions may apply as indicated
in the appropriate administrative directive (s) and/Jor unit/center standard
operating procedure(s).
D. Records
1. Staff assigned visitation duties shall
maintain a record of approved visitors.
2. All visits shall be documented as to date,
person visiting, time visited, and any unusual incidents.
E. Special Visits
1. Upon approval of the warden/center
supervisor, special, visits may be allowed for attorneys, spiritual advisors,
inmates in special housing/assignment/status, and persons residing outside a
set radius from the unit/center.
2.
Special visits shall be scheduled in accordance with guidelines established in
the appropriate administrative directive(s) and unit/center
procedure(s).
VII.
A.C.A.
REFERENCE;
3-4440, 3-4441, 3-4442, 3-4445, 3-4446, 3-4255.
Board of Correction Approval Date: 12/17/92
Attorney General Review Date: 12/17/92
Date Filed Secy, of State: 12/18/92
Supersedes: 865
Dated: 10719/84
