Inmate Family Council

Visiting days and times
Scheduling Visiting appointments by email or phone
What to expect as a first time visitor
Visiting rules and regulations
Visitor Handbook Update 2011

Visiting Days and Times

Visiting hours are 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday plus the following holidays:

• New Years Day
• Independence Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

Scheduling Visiting Appointments by Email or Phone

In an effort to improve the inmate visiting process, appointments made by electronic mail (email)
will be accepted beginning Monday, November 9, 2009. Email solanovisiting@cdcr.ca.gov (solanovisiting null@null cdcr NULL.ca NULL.gov) to schedule visiting appointments. The email must include the following
information: In the subject line put the time and date requested. In the body of the email include the visitor’s first and last name, date and time of visiting appointment request, the
inmate’s last name, and their CDC number. Do not include any other information or questions in the appointment request. If making a request for a non contact visit, you must put NON CONTACT in the subject line.

Appts  for non contact visits can also be made telephonically by calling (707) 454-3266 Wednesdays only from 11 AM-1 PM.

Visitors will be allowed to email their appointment request on Monday and Tuesday each week for
up to two weeks in advance of their requested visiting appointment date.
Emails will be accepted between 4:00 AM Monday and 12:00 noon Tuesday of each week. Any
emails received before 4:00 AM on Monday and after 12:00 noon on Tuesday will not be
processed.

Emails will be processed in the order they were received and replied to on Tuesday and Wednesday
of each week. Visiting staff will assign visitors an appointment closest to their requested time.
40 slots each half hour will be open for email appointments. The remaining 10 slots will be for telephone appointments only.  Beginning Monday, November 9, 2009, telephone appointments will be accepted on Thursdays
only from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM for the dedicated phone slots. For phone appointments please call (707) 453-4750.

Walk-ons may come on the grounds at 11:30 am.

Cancellation of visiting appointments may also be sent via email by indicating the cancellation in
the subject line of the email.

If you have any questions, please contact Visiting Lieutenant, M. Tillotson at (707) 451-0182, extension
5703.

What to Expect as a First-Time Visitor

As a first time visitor at C.S.P. Solano, the following information will help you.

When you drive into the facility, turn left at the first driveway. You may park in the parking lot on your right, left or on the gravel lot. There are handicapped spaces throughout and if they are completely full, disabled may park in the semi circle in front of the administration building.

You can expect :

• You must follow CDCR clothing guidelines
• A line to get a pass (near awning)
• Processing to turn in pass and acceptable identification
• Clothing check
• Visitors may bring a total of $50.00 in ones and change but no pennies
• Visitors must go through metal detection device(s) successfully. Underwire bras will set it off.
• 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.he detector off and are not allowed. Be careful that the backs of buttons do not have metal. Shoes will need to be removed during this process as well as all jewelry.
• Visitors going to buildings 13-24 will ride a bus to the visiting room for those buildings.

Solano visitors are always willing to assist others; please do not be hesitant to ask another visitor or staff for help or questions.

Visiting Regulations

What You Need to Know Before Visiting a State Prison

Inmates are not permitted to visit during hours of work, training, vocational and /or academic education.

How To Get Approved For A Visit

The incarcerated person must mail you the visiting request form (Form 106) which can be obtained from the Counselor of the prison. These forms are generally found in the housing buildings also. They are easy for the inmate to obtain.
Complete the form and mail it. The form is usually sent to the prison address with the envelope marked: Attn: Visiting.
The approval process can take from three weeks to two months. If you have been convicted of a felony, this may prevent you from being approved to visit.
Once you’re approved, the incarcerated person will be notified and then he/she must mail you the approval form and information about visiting rules.
Be sure to bring this form the first time you visit. Pay close attention to the visiting information. You may not be permitted to visit if you do not follow the rules. Each prison has a website that you can link to through California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Most prisons also have a telephone recording that addresses visiting procedures. Visiting days and hours may vary for each prison. The general information phone number is 800-374-8474.

Clothing

While visiting guidelines are supposed to be the same for every prison, they are NOT.
However, the general clothing guidelines listed here should give you enough information so that you will not be turned away from visiting. Most prisons have a place where you can change or borrow clothes to meet the individual prison requirements. If you know someone who visits that prison, it is always a good idea to ask them what the dress policy is. You can call ahead of time and listen to the pre-recorded visiting message which may include clothing regulations for that institution.

Standards Of Dress For Inmate Visitors

• Visitors are expected to dress appropriately and maintain a
  standard of conduct during visiting that is not offensive to others.
  Consistent with the goal of making visiting a safe, positive,
  constructive time for families and staff, the following standards
  shall apply:

   

  • Visitors shall remain fully clothed at all times in the visiting
    room.
  • Appropriate attire includes undergarments; a dress or
    blouse/shirt with skirt/pants/or shorts; and shoes or sandals.
  • For security reasons, no brassiere will have metal underwires.
• Prohibited attire consists of:
  • Clothing that resembles state-issued inmate clothing (blue
    denim or blue chambray shirts and blue denim pants);
  • Clothing that resembles law enforcement or military-type
    clothing, including rain gear;
  • Clothing or garments that:
    • Expose the breast/chest area, genitals or buttocks;
    • By design, the manner worn, or due to the absence of,
      excessively allows the anatomical detail of body parts or midriff to
      be clearly viewed;
    • Are sheer, transparent or excessively tight;
    • Expose more than two inches above the knee, including
      slits when standing.
    • Undergarments shall be worn beneath translucent clothing,
      under all circumstances.
  • Clothing or accessories displaying obscene or offensive
    language, drawings or objects.
  • Gloves, head coverings (except clear, see-through rain
    gear), and readily removable wigs or hairpieces. The institution
    head or designee may grant an exception for a visitor to wear
    gloves, head coverings, and/or readily removable hairpieces or
    wigs, based upon verification of need.

What You Can Bring

When visiting, you are permitted to bring:

• $50.00 per adult and $20.00 per minor in $1 bills or quarters. (Some prisons allow money to be only in quarters.);
• Clear plastic baggie or purse no larger than 6″x 8″ with no handles. Inmates and children are not allowed to handle money;
• Ten loose photographs, no larger than 8″ x 10″. These photos are to view only and are not to be left with the inmate. No Polaroid pictures. Photos may not be of any indecent nature. There cannot be any writing anywhere on the photo;
• Two keys on a ring with no other attachments. One key may have electronics built in.
• A valid personal identification card (see below);
• One handkerchief;
• Comb or brush (plastic);
• Tissue pack, unopened;
• Documents.
• 1 pair of eyeglasses

Acceptable Identification

Visitors eighteen years or older must bring one of the listed current and valid identifications with a photo:

• Valid Driver’s license with photo;
• Valid state identification card with photo;
• Department of Justice Identification card with photo;
• Passport with photo and current visa;
• Military Identification card with photo;
• Photo identification card issued by the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service;
• Picture identification issued by the Mexican Consulate. As of
  Oct 1,2010, there will be no limit of the MCAS as long as the card is valid. This applies to approved visitors only.

Upon Your Arrival

The visitor must be processed by the institution. This will include:

• Getting a pass;
• Removal of shoes;
• Walking through a metal detector. If you have a metal implant and cannot clear the detector you MUST have a current doctor’s note on letterhead stationery;
• Clothing check which includes checking of pockets, colors, appropriateness;
• Removal of unacceptable items;
• If you are unable to pass through the metal detector, you may be sent from the visiting processing area. You will need to change whatever the detected problem was and may need to reprocess.

Rules While Visiting

• You may briefly kiss the person you are visiting-when you enter and when you leave;
• You may hold hands during the visit;
• No food from the outside may be brought in and no food from the visiting room may be taken out when you or the inmate leaves;
• No chewing gum;
• Five visitors maximum per inmate which includes infants and children.

Length Of Visit

The length of the visit varies from 2 hours to 8 hours depending on the institution’s visiting schedule and on the overcrowding of the institution. Your visit will be terminated early if there are many visitors waiting to visit. The exception to this is if you have not visited in 30 days and travel from over 250 miles.

Holiday Visits

There are 5 holidays that all institutions allow for special visiting days:

• New Year’s Day;
• Independence Day
• Thanksgiving; and
• Christmas.

Family Visits

Depending on the crime, members of the incarcerated person’s immediate family (spouse, child, parent, and sibling) may be able to obtain permission to have a 48-72 hour visit with the incarcerated person. These visits can be scheduled every quarter.
To do this:

• You must be an approved visitor;
• The inmate must apply to their Correctional Counselor for a family visit;
• Once approved, schedule the date with the incarcerated person and the institution.
• Please see the Family Visiting Memo.

Minor Visitors

Children 17 and under shall:

• Be accompanied by an adult who is also approved to visit unless prior approval has been obtained from the institution head for an inmate to visit with his or her un-chaperoned minor children or siblings;
• Be a member of the inmates immediate family (inmate’s children, legal stepchildren, grandchildren, natural, step or foster brother or sister);
• Present a certified record of birth (official birth certificate);
• Have notarized written consent from a person with legal custody of the minor, authorizing the child to visit while accompanied by a designated adult, if the accompanying adult is not the parent or legal guardian of the minor.
• Exceptions:
  • An emancipated minor shall apply to visit the inmate as an adult visitor, and shall provide a certified copy of the court order granting emancipation;
  • A minor legal spouse of an inmate may apply to visit the inmate as an adult visitor with a certified copy of their marriage license.

Visiting Restrictions With Children

Visiting with minors shall be prohibited for any inmate sentenced to prison for violating Penal Code Section(s) 261, 264, 266c, 273d, 285, 286, 288, 288a, 288.5 or 289 unless specifically authorized by a Juvenile Court. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 362.6 inmates may be prohibited from having contact or non-contact visits where substantial evidence (e.g., court transcripts, police or probation officer reports or parole revocation hearing findings describing the misconduct) of the misconduct described in section 3177(B)(1) exists, with or without a criminal conviction.

Dress Code For Minors

In most institutions, children less than 40 inches are exempt from denim wear, tights, and exercise clothing. Otherwise, they are to follow the same rules set for adults. Check with the individual institution as this rule may vary.

What Will Happen When Children Arrive

Children will be processed as adults are. This includes clothing checks, removal of shoes, going through metal detector, etc.

Rules While Visiting With Children

• An inmate may hold his or her minor children;
• Inmates may also hold minor children accompanied by an adult;
• Accompanying adults shall ensure that minors remain under their constant control and supervision;
• Children may not handle money or use vending machines or microwaves;
• Nursing mothers shall be discreet and covered when breast-feeding their child in the visiting area. Failure to do so shall result in termination of visiting for the day or longer.

Baby Care

The following items will be allowed in visiting:

• One baby feeding spoon (plastic);
• Six disposable diapers, per baby;
• Three jars of factory sealed baby food, per baby;
• Any combination of the following: two factory-sealed single serving size, ready to feed bottles of baby formula or two transparent plastic baby bottles, either empty or containing pre-mixed formula/milk/juice/water;
• Two factory-sealed, single serving size packets of powdered baby formula;
• One change of clothes per baby;
• One single-layered baby blanket, per baby;
• Baby Carrier,
• One transparent pacifier;
• Factory sealed baby wipes;
• Clear plastic diaper bag;
• One single layer burp cloth;
• Other rules are decided by each institution. Check with the institution prior to visiting.

The Following Items Will Not Be Permitted In Visiting

• No battery operated toys;
• No stuffed toys;
• No baby powder or lotion;
• No toys with metal parts.

Designated Areas

Some visiting rooms have a designated area for children to watch videos or play games. Remember, these areas are not available in every visiting room and you should be prepared for your child to be at a table with you or seated on individual chairs. Friends Outside may offer limited child care; however, not all institutions have this program available.

Preparing A Child For A Visit To Prison

You can help make the visit less stressful by letting the child know what the visit will be like. Such as:

• What the facility looks like;
• What the correctional officers look like, why they are there and what the process is;
• What the inmate will be wearing and what the inmate will be allowed to do during the visit;
• What the inmate looks like now if the inmate’s appearance has changed;
• What a search is, why it is done and how it will be done;
• Rules for going to the restroom and eating.