A.
General
Information. Approved visitors are welcome. To support ACC program
objectives, residents will be allowed to receive visitors, following
appropriate applicant screening to assure safety and security of employees and
residents. ACC can limit visitation pursuant to applicable law and for such
reasons as programming and scheduling requirements, resident behavior, and
security concerns.
People who wish to visit residents must apply using Form 1,
"Application to Visit a Resident." For the safety of residents, staff, and
visitors, certain precautions are necessary including conducting a background
check of people who apply to visit residents. Applicants will be screened
giving weight to the potential for therapeutic benefit of their visit.
Investigations will consist of an ACIC/NCIC criminal history check, assessment
of information provided on the Application to Visit a Resident Form, and any
information obtained from Parole/Probation Officers, or other reliable sources.
Staff also use detection equipment and conduct pat searches when appropriate.
Violators of rules are subject to prosecution pursuant to Arkansas law section
5-54-119.
Visitors must follow rules to ensure safety, security, and to set the example
for residents who are learning to follow rules. Although precautions are taken
to assure safety and security, visitors must understand there are risks.
C.
Searches. Visitors are
subject to search and may be asked to wait in the area for permission to enter.
They are free to leave at any time, unless they are suspected of trying to
introduce contraband or committing any other felony on ACC grounds. In these
situations, they may be detained until law enforcement arrives to take them
into custody." Any personal or State property is subject to reasonable search
when on State property or in the possession of someone on State property.
Visitors may be pat searched by an authorized person of the same gender.
Visitors who refuse to be searched are subject to having their visitation
ended, being barred from entering or remaining on ACC property, and having
visitation privileges revoked.
Reasons for searches include the following:
* routine visitor search
* a special security search of people entering, leaving, or
currently on ACC premises
* before, during, or immediately following a visit with a
resident
* reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion is a degree of
certainty based on facts and reasonable inferences that causes a person to
believe a law, conditions of supervision, or policy has been violated.
* if a crime/critical incident has occurred.
D.
Documentation.
Visitor application information must be entered in eOMIS where it
will be available for use by any ACC or ADC facility. Staff should also enter
comments in eOMIS about any problems with a particular visitor.
E.
Visitation Conditions and
Restrictions.1. Visitors must
complete, sign and have on file an approved "Application to Visit a Resident"
Form at the appropriate center prior to being allowed resident
visitation.
2. All visitors age 15
and older must show valid photo identification. Children under 15 may be
required to show photo identification or a birth certificate.
3. All visitors must follow staff
instructions and comply with the visitation policy, procedures and
rules.
4. All visitors may be
photographed by staff and photos may be maintained for future identification;
such photos should be uploaded to eOMIS and deleted from the camera.
5. Visits will be continuously supervised by
staff.
6. An attorney visitation
area will be provided upon request to ensure privileged communication between
the attorney and client; however, the area is subject to general staff
supervision. No background investigation is required for attorneys. However, an
attorney may be asked to sign a statement indicating he/she is a licensed
attorney and represents (attorney of record) or is in the process of
determining whether to represent the resident. Attorney visits must be
scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
7. The number of concurrent visitors for a
resident may be limited.
8. Visits
may be terminated, restricted or suspended if there is poor or disruptive
behavior on the part of the resident or visitor or-as part of a therapeutic
measure imposed on a resident for rule violations.
9. Visits will not be allowed for residents
in Disciplinary Detention, Reflection Chair status or pending transfer to the
Arkansas Department of Correction.
10. Residents may not have visitors while in
Treatment Phase 1 (Orientation Phase) other than visits from an attorney or
minister.
11. Residents in the
Supervision Sanction Program who earn visitation privileges may be allowed
visitors as established by the program schedule and criteria.
12. Restrictions may be placed on articles
taken into the visitation area. Additional restrictions and conditions may be
imposed considering the therapeutic benefits, space limitations, and risks to
security and order.
13. Special
visits between regularly scheduled visitation times may be allowed in certain
circumstances when approved by the Center Supervisor for situations such as:
* complying with court orders,
* signing documents,
* when requested by the Department of Human Services,
* accommodating a visitor who lives more than 300 miles from the
center,
* accommodating ministers, job interviewers, housing
representatives, or other representatives assisting the resident with
transition back into the community. A minister is person who has been ordained,
licensed, or authorized by a sitting Pastor of a church of record to serve as a
spiritual advisor. Documentation of such authorization may be required.
14. All visitors must sign in and
out. Those making special visits are also required to wear a visitor
badge.
F.
Video
Visitation. To provide both the resident and their family a way to
improve family reunification while minimizing security-related incidents or
concerns, a video visitation system, which allows residents and visitors to
communicate byway of video conferencing equipment, may be used at residential
centers.
The guidelines, restrictions and directions for video visitation
use must be further explained in an Administrative Directive.
