Visiting Room Regulations

Coalinga State Hospital encourages visits from relatives and friends. We recognize them to be an important part of the individual’s therapeutic process. Authorized visits will not be denied unless such a visit is declined by the individual, or deemed to be harmful to the individual.

• Incoming Patient Unit Phones

VISITING HOURS:

• 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 7- days per week, including holidays *No visitors will be processed after 1:45 p.m.

VISITOR PROCESSING AND REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION:

• Visitor processing takes approximately 30 minutes. Visitors will not be processed after 1:45 p.m., two hours before the closing of the visiting room.
• Visitors must present a valid government issued form of photo identification, address, telephone number, vehicle license number if applicable and relationship to the Individual.
• Visiting is on a first come, first serve basis. Should Visiting Room capacity be reached, some visitors may be asked to shorten their visit. Visiting may implement a rotation system if necessary.
• This is a secure facility and for safety and security reasons visitors are subject to search.
• Attorneys requiring room reservation for clients, please contact(559) 934-3061 or (559) 934-3062 at least two business days prior to requested date. Rooms are subject to availability.

SPECIAL VISITOR CLEARANCE REQUIRED:

• Minors (under the age of 18), International visitors, former employees, former patients, students or contract employees of DMH must advise and/or obtain written permission prior to the visit. Please contact External Affairs for special instructions (559) 935-4099.

CLOTHING:

• Visitors are expected to dress to meet the constraints of the hospital setting. Attire shall be conservative and non-revealing. Visitors not properly dressed will not be admitted into the visiting room.
• Clothing that is prohibited is that which represents the uniform or clothing worn by Individuals, staff or officers. This includes scrubs and khaki colored clothing, etc.
• Examples of inappropriate clothing; strapless garments, halter, bare midriff or tank tops (male or female), transparent clothing, wrap-around tops, under wire garments, shorts, or clothing with hoods. Skirts or dresses shorter than mid thigh, exercise type clothing (i.e., spandex, leotards), excessively loose, skin-tight or excess clothing (i.e., hats, gloves, and scarves).
• Wigs will be permitted when worn for medical reasons and prior approval has been obtained from DPS.

ITEMS ALLOWED IN VISITING ROOM:

• Up to $20.00 in $1.00 increments or unwrapped coins for use in vending machine.
• Twenty loose photographs. DPS will review the photographs to assure suitability.
• Medication required by visitor is limited to life-sustaining medication only in pill form. Only the amount needed during the visit will be allowed.
• Visitors may bring in food to be consumed in the Visiting Room. Containers may be opened and searched. Liquid refreshments provided by the hospital or
  otherwise available in the visiting room are allowed. Food items are limited and must be in clear plastic wrap or clear plastic containers.
• Paper plates, plastic spoons and paper napkins are provided by the hospital. No other utensils are allowed.
• Sharing of food with other visitors or Individuals is not permitted. Tables and area must be cleared of uneaten food or trash prior to leaving.
• Direct transfer of property between Individual and visitor is prohibited. Property must be given to the Visiting Center Police Officer for proper handling.

VISITING ROOM CONDUCT:

• Individual and visitor may embrace and kiss at the beginning and end of each visit which is limited to momentary contact.
• During visit, the Individual and visitor may hold hands. Any other contact is prohibited and may result in termination of the visit.
• Any misconduct may result in termination and violators may be subject to prosecution if determined to be a violation of the law.

Please note this is not a complete list of regulations.