California Department of Mental Health

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A Message from Warden, Ana M. Ramirez Palmer

"The value of visiting as a means to establish and maintain meaningful family and community relationships is recognized and encouraged. During my tenure at the California Medical Facility, I have received many letters from visitors. I appreciate and encourage all your suggestions and comments. Your input is instrumental in maintaining a friendly and cooperative atmosphere. It is my expectation that visiting staff will be courteous, pleasant, and professional while interacting with the public. Accordingly, visitors should reflect a similar demeanor when interacting with staff. Each visitor is responsible for his or her conduct during visits. Violation of statutes, regulations or local procedures governing visiting may be cause for restriction or denial of visitation. If visitation is denied, the inmate and visitor shall receive notification of the denial, stating the reasons for the denial and the method of appealing the decision. Emergency modifications of the visiting schedule, information and directions, can be obtained by calling 1-800-374-VISI. In an effort to continue and maintain the efficiency of our visiting program, I have implemented the following guidelines:"

Visitor Rules and Regulations:

You must be an approved visitor before being allowed to visit. Prior approval may be obtained by mailing a completed "Visitor Questionnaire Form, CDC 106." Forms may be obtained from the inmate you intend to visit. Inmates may obtain these forms from their housing unit staff. The inmate is responsible for mailing the CDC 106 Form, and the "Visitor Rules and Regulations," which can also be obtained through the housing unit staff, to their prospective visitors. All visitors, 18 years and older, must be approved on a Visiting Questionnare (CDC 106) prior to visiting.

Please return your completed application, via U.S. Mail, to:

Visitor Processing Center
P. O. Box 2000
Vacaville, CA 95696-2000

The visiting questionnaires will not be accepted directly from inmates/visitors. It takes approximately four to six weeks to process a Visiting Questionnaire.

Once a visitor has been approved, the inmate will receive a copy of "CDC Form 887, Notice of Visitors Approval/Termination/Suspension." It is then the inmate's responsibility to notify visitors of their approval to visit. It is also the responsibility of the inmate to ensure that their prospective visitors fully understand all visiting rules and regulations, i.e., dress code, visiting hours, conduct, etc. If a visitor has been disapproved, he/she will be notified in writing, by visitor processing staff, citing the reason(s) for denial and his/her appeal rights. Telephone calls to the Visiting Department requesting verbal confirmation of visiting approval is not and will not be permitted. Please do not call for this information.

Arrival on Institutional Grounds:

  • Visitors may arrive on institutional grounds NO EARLIER than 30 minutes prior to visiting hours and must park in the designated visitor parking area.
  • Handicap parking, with permit, is available adjacent to the visitor's waiting room, at the main entrance of the institution. Overflow handicap visitors are permitted to park in the staff parking lot adjacent to Tower #1 in spaces marked "BOARD OF PRISON TERMS."
  • Visitors are not allowed to wait in his/her vehicle for any reason.
  • The visiting waiting room in the ONLY designated visitor waiting location.
  • All traffic signs and regulations must be followed.
  • No animals allowed on grounds.
  • No photos will be taken of instutions grounds.

Visitors with proof of residency beyond 250 miles may have their visiting application processed on site the day of their arrival; however, they must still meet all entrance requirements - including passing a criminal background check - before being allowed in.

Identification Requirements:

Processing begins by comleting a Visitor's Pass (CDC 1000). All visitors must present proof of identity before being permitted to visit. Valid forms of identification may consist of the following:

  • Valid state driver's license with picture (not laminated.)
  • Valid state Department of Motor Vehicles Identification Card with picture (not laminated.)
  • Valid Federal Passport with picture.
  • Valid Armed Forces Identification Card with picture.
  • Resident Alien Card issued by the United States Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Services.
  • Identification card from the "Consulado General de Mexico" titled "Certificado de Matricula Consular."
  • Taking of fingerprints for the purpose of determining identification or a criminal record may be required as a prerequisite for approval to visit.

The absence of identification or other information, so knowledge from which identification can be verified, will be cause for denial of visits, until such verification is obtained.

Visiting Schedule and Operations:
Visiting Hours - Inmates Housed in General Population:
Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Visitors will not be processed between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., due to institutional count, or after 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Visitors will not be processed after 2:30 p.m.
 
Closed Custody Visiting Hours:
Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Visitors will not be processed be processed after 3:30 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.


All Non-Contact visits must be scheduled prior to the visit. Approved inmate visitors shall schedule appointments, by telephone, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments shall be made by having the inmate's visitors telephone the Visiting Department at (707) 448-6844, ext 2490, to reserve a specific time slot with the receptionist. One appointment slot shall be given per inmate, allowing a maximum of three visitors (adults and children combined) for that inmate. Only one visitor's name in the inmate's group and the inmate's CDC number is required for slotting the visit. Inmates will not be allowed to schedule appointments. The scheduling of appointments in person will be accepted Saturday and Sunday, and designated holidays, during the out-processing of the visitor requesting the appointment. One hour visits may be scheduled for the below listed days and hours:

General Population - Non-Contact Visiting Hours:
Inmates housed in General Population who are placed on non-contact visiting status as a temporary action, as the result of disciplinary action, or due to being retained as orienatation status, are as follows:
Thursday 1:10 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. and
5:10 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.
Friday 1:10 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. and
5:10 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.
Between the hours of 3:30 p.m. through 5:00 p.m., during which time the Processing Center wil be closed. This closure is required to accomplish the 5:00 p.m. inmate count.)
Saturday 8:10 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Sunday 8:10 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
All Non-Contact visitors must arrive 15 minutes prior to their visit.

Administrative Segregation Unit Visiting Hours:
Non-Contacting Visiting Hours for Inmates on Administrative Segregration Status and Inmates on Non-Contact Status who are Housed in G-Wing/T-Wing: (It is the responsibility of the Inmate to inform the visitor of their work hours, Close Custody Status, and Administrative Segregation Status.)
Thursday 1:10 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Friday 1:10 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Saturday 8:10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Sunday 8:10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.
All Non-Contact visitors must arrive 15 minutes prior to their visit.
All scheduled Non-Contact visitors wil receive head of line privileges in the processing center.
 
Visiting Hours for CRITICALLY ILL Inmates:
Monday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
No shorts, sweat pants, keys or money. No minors.
 
Holiday Visiting Schedule:
Holiday Hours 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Visitors will not be processed after 2:30 p.m.
The recognized holidays are :
  • New Years Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
If you have questions regarding visiting hours or rules, call 1-800-374-VISI

PLEASE NOTE: Upon arrival to the Visitor Processing Center, all adult visitors are required to fill out a CDC 1000, Visitor Pass, ensuring that all requested information is completed. Any omission of information may result in a delay of your pass being processed. Once the form has been completed, it is to be turned over to the Visitor Processing Staff, along with a valid form of ID. Once it has been verified that you are an approved visitor, you will sign the Visitor's Log, submit personal belongings for inspection and process through the metal detector and Secure 1000-Contraband Detection Device. Upon successful completion of this porcess, all visitors will be stamped on their right wrist with indelible ink. An ultraviolet light upon departure will check the visitor's stamp. The Secure 1000 is an x-ray backscailer-imaging device that scans for the presence of contraband. The Secure 1000 provides a composite image of the individual scanned to show the shape, size and location of objects concealed under the persons's clothing. By viewing the color and shape of the object, in a particular location on the body, the operator can distinguish normal anatomical features and everyday items from suspicious articles requiring further investigation by additional scanning or direct search. ALL visitors shall be subject to the Secure 1000 Contraband Device. Failure to process through the Secure 1000 Will result in denial or termination of the requested visit. The Secure 1000 does not represent a health risk to visitors who are pregnant or who have conditions that may be impacted due in normal x-ray radiation such as cancer, HIV, etc.

Visitors Under 18 Years of Age:

Visitors under 18 years of age (hereafter referred to as "minors"), and not the inmate's legal spouse, shall be accompanied by a responsible adult who has been approved to visit the inmate. If the accompanying adult is the parent of the minor, the original or a certified copy, or embossed abstract, of the minor's government issued birth certificate must be presented, along with a photocopy. If the acconpanying adult is the legal guardian of the minor, the original or a certified copy of the court document stipulating guardianship, along with the original, certified copy, or embossed abstracts of the minor's birth certificate, must be presented to verify legal responsibility for the minor. The birth certificate must be presented at every visit. Additionally,

  • If the accompanying adult is not the parent or legal guardian, or spouse of the minor, a notarized written consent shall be required from the person legally responsible for the minor.
  • The notarized consent must state that the parent/guardian is giving permission for the minor to visit the specific inmate at CMF and must be presented each time the minor visits for regular and/or family visiting.
  • The notarized written consent form must be updated annually.
  • If the inmate is the legal guardian of the minor, it is the responsibility of the inmate to show court documentation to his assigned counselor verifying that he is the legal guardian. The counselor will then forward a copy of this document to the visitor processing staff. The inmate is then responsible for mailing a signed, notarized legal consent form to the approved adult visitor accompanying the minor.
  • Newborns-Parents have sixty (60) days to present a certified copy or original birth certificate.
  • Emancipated minors must provide a copy of the emancipation for each time they visit.
  • All legal documents must be originals, certified copies, or embossed abstracts - Photocopies will not be accepted.

Visitor Dress Standards:

All adults and minors over three feet tall will be strictly monitored to meet the following clothing criteria. All visitors must clear a metal detector. Clothing with metal buttons, clips, metal supports, etc., may cause the metal detector to sound; therefore, the visitor may not be able to clear the Secure 1000 and the metal detector.

These standards apply to ALL visitors exceeding 36 inches in height:

  1. All attire must be conservative to enhance a family atmosphere
  2. Visitors must be appropriately clothed
  3. Visitors must wear shoes or sandals
  4. Visitors shall remain fully clothed in a dress, blouse/skirts, pants or shorts. The length of all shorts, dresses and skirts, including slits in the garment, shall not be more than 2" above the knee. All buttons and zippers shall remain fastened.
  5. Visitors with medically implanted metal devices must provide a letter from their doctor, on the physician's letterheas, detailing the nature and location of the implantation. In such cases, or whre a visitor has medical documentation or confinement to a wheel chair, a hand-held scanner will be used.
  6. The only exception to scanning visitors will be those whose medical condition prevents so i.e., pacemakers). The visitor is required to provide medical verification of his/her inability to be scanned. If the scanner cannot be used, the visitor will be required to submit to a clothed body search prior to being allowed to visit. Prior to being searched, the visitors must sign a "Notice of Request to Search." This form will also be signed by the visiting sergeant, or lieutenant, prior to any search. A notation will be placed in the AVIS visitor's memo field to record the medical condition and doctor's verification.

THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL TYPES OF CLOTHING ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED:

  1. No clothing that exposes the breast/chest, genitals or buttocks will be allowed. All shirts, blouses and dresses must have sleeves (i.e., no capped sleeves). No garments or clothing that are form fitting to the body (i.e., tight jeans, spandex, stretch pants, biker shorts, etc.). No leggings (tights) may be worn as an outer/under garment, such as pants, dresses or slacks.
  2. No strapless, tube tops, halter, low cut, backless, spaghetti straps or tops that expose the midriff or climbing up the back area.
  3. Clothing which, in any combination of shades or types of material, resembles state issued inmate clothing (e.g., blue denim or chambray shirts, blue denim pants, yellow raincoats).
  4. No attire displaying obscene or offensive language, pictures or drawings. No attire displaying gang association/gang related depiction. No Halloween outfits.
  5. No Law Enforcement (beige shirts, green pants) or military type, forest green or cammoflage patterned articles of clothing, including rain gear. Visitors shall not wear clothing that resembles any law enforcement or military type forest green or gray sweats.
  6. No transparent, sheer clothing. No open weave sweaters of blouses.
  7. Visitors shall not wear double sets of clothing (i.e., two shirts, two pairs of pants or sweats, or combinations of shorts and pants, etc. Exceptions with doctor's verification.)
  8. Hats, wigs, haripieces, (braided or straight hair used to extend the hair) will not be worn without the prior written approval of the Visiting Sergeant. Approval shall be based on verification of the visitor's necessity to wear the hat, wig or hairpiece (e.g., baldness). Any visitor approved to enter the institution with a wig, etc., will have it noted of their Visitor Pass, and will be subject to search of the wig, hat or hairpiece. Exceptions to this rule will be transparent plastic rain hats and religious scarves. Transparent rain hats may only be worn during inclement weather. The Visiting Sergeant must approve religious scarves. To verify, the visitor claim staff will check the visitors picture identification card, which must reflect that they are wearing a scarf at the time they had their identification picture taken.
  9. No umbrellas. Visitors may wear rain coats (except solid yellow or green) during inclement weather. Rain coats/jackets may have an attached hood, however, the hood may not be worn while in the visiting room. Visitors may also wear a coat or jacket underneath the rain coat.
  10. Refusal to search: Visitors who refuse to submit to a search shall have their visiting privileges denied for that day. Future visits may be conditioned upon the visitor's willingness to submit to a search prior to each visit. The type of search to be conducted shall be based on reasonable cause.

Authorized Visitor Items:

  1. One (1) pair of prescription glasses. No carrying cases are allowed. Non-prescription and/or prescription sunglasses are not allowed unless the visitor provides written documentation from their optometrist stating the reason and scope by which non-prescription prescription glasses must be worn. The medical verification will be reviewed and approved by the Visiting Sergeant. Approval shall be based on verification of the visitor's necessity to wear the sunglasses (e.g., eye disease)
  2. Personal jewelry is permitted - no jewelry containing compartments (i.e., Lockets).
  3. One handkerchief (WHITE ONLY), or a small unopened travel package of tissues. No colored or patterned bandanas allowed.
  4. One comb and/or hairbrush; no metal or pointed ends and no detachable parts.
  5. Ten photographs. (No false backs; No instamatic/Polaroid photographs; No nude, pronographic, obscene, provocative or suggestive photographs; No depictions of gang and/or criminal activity/affiliation; Maximum allowable size of 5x7.)
  6. Two car keys on a plain ring. No attachments of any kind are allowed (car alarms, key chain paraphernalia, etc.)
  7. Identification card, driver's license, passport, etc.
  8. One small 5"x 8" transparent coin purse
  9. Baby care items (per child):
    • Six disposable diapers
    • Two jars of Factory sealed baby food (empty jars must be taken out with the visitor at the conclusion of the visit
    • Two plastic bottles, PRE-MIXED, with formula, milk, juice or water
    • One change of clothes
    • One single layer baby blanket (Non-Quilted)
    • One Factory sealed package of baby wipes
    • One Transparent Pacifier. Strollers are not allowed
    • One clear/see-through diaper/carrying bag made of a single layer material-NO POCKETS
    • One baby carrier made of plastic which can be easily searched
    • One baby feeding spoon (plastic)
    • No toys or books allowed. (5 sheets of school homework permitted per child)
  10. $30.00 dollars per adult. Coin or $1.00 bills. Denominations larger than $1.00 will not be allowed (no pennies). All visitors are required to remove and submit for inspection their jacket, jewelry, belt, and shoes. This also includes any items contained in the visitor's pocket.

NOTE: Non-allowed items shall not be retained by visiting staff. All non-allowable items shall be kept in the visitor's personal vehicle, or you may request that the Friendship House Staff retain such items for you in their trailer. Lockers are provided ONLY to those visitors who did not drive.

MEDICATIONS: Visiting staff will retain all medications, except nitroglycerin, and prescribed inhalers (no over the counter medications, in their possession. Verifications regarding the need to possess medications shall be explicitly documented by the visitor's attending physician. Medications must be in original packaging. Only the amount needed while visiting will be allowed. Heart patients may retain the amount of nitroglycerin pills that would be immediately required in their possession while visiting. Prescribed inhalers may be retained in the visitor's possession - staff will note this on the visitor's pass.

Physical Contact:

The following rules and procedures shall apply to the visiting room area. An inmate and their visitor may briefly embarce, inclusding a brief kiss for approximately 5-7 seconds, which is permitted only at the start and conclusion of your visit.

At all other times, physical contact must be limited to the holding of hands, either above the table while seated, or at your side while standing. Interlocking of feet, knees or other extremities is not permitted. Any unauthorized physical contact may be cause to terminate the visit.

  • Each visitor is responsible for his or her conduct while on institution grounds.
  • Visitors are not permitted to give inmate's photos, jewelry or cloting. Inmates are not authorized to be in possession of any currency, including coins, during the visit.
  • Visitors will utilize the visitor restroon to change and dispose of baby diapers.
  • No type of sexual misconduct is allowed.
  • Any cursing or disrespect toward staff or other visitors will not be tolerated and may result in the termination of the visit.
  • No food or drinks may be taken from the visiting room. All food items must be consumed in the visiting room.
  • Inmates are responsible for cleaning their respective visiting area at the end of their visit.
  • Visitors, with the exception of children, 5 years of age and under, shall not sit on an inmate's lap.
  • Children must be under direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian at all times while on Institutional Grounds. Visitors must escort their children to and from the restrooms.
  • Visitors, inmates or children may not visit at other visitors' tables. Disruptive behavior (i.e. roughhousing, excessive noise or running/wandering about the visiting room is not allowed.
  • Children are not permitted to handle money. Visitors and inmates shall not use physical means to discipline their children while on state property, i.e., no spanking, slapping or physical contact used in any way to discipline children is allowed.
  • Visitors shall not leave the visiting area except at the conclusion of the visit. Violation of this provision will result in immediate termination of the visit.
  • No loitering will be allowed by the vending machines or microwaves. Inmates must stay behind yellow lines.
  • Chairs must remain facing toward the tables. No side by side seating is allowed with chairs facing each other.

Violation of visiting rules or regulations may result in the visit being terminated and/or suspended. Inmates may be held accountable for the misconduct of their visitors.

Responsibility and Conduct of Visitors:

Each inmate and visitor is responsible for their conduct and that of their children during visits. Violation of visiting rules and regulations and/or the California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Sections 3170 through 3178, may result in visiting restrictions, suspensions, denial and/or arrest.

Visiting Photo Procedures:

Pictures are to be taken in a designated area only. The taking of pictures in any other area is strictly prohibited. Photo ducats may be purchased from the Visiting Control Booth Officer. Ducats must be presented before the photograph is taken. All photo retakes must be approved by the designated visiting room officer only. Retakes will only be allowed for pictures which are blurred, double images, etc, and will be done at the officer's discretion. NO inmate group photos. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Money, Food, Smoking:

Money - Each adult visitor is allowed to bring a maximum of $30.00, in one dollar bills and/or coins (no pennies or foreign currency). Denominations of more than $1.00 are not allowed. Minors are not allowed to bring or handle money in the visiting areas.

Food - Edible food items may be purchased from the visiting room vending machines. All food and drinks purchased in the visiting areas must be consumed therein and will not be allowed out of the designated visiting areas, when leaving the institution.

Smoking - NO SMOKING is allowed in the visiting room. (Exception - Outside Ranch Visiting Area, Ranch Visitors may bring two (2) unopened packs of cigarettes.)

Termination or Denial of Visits:

Visit termination may result from unacceptable behavior of the inmate, adult visitor, or minor children. If the misconduct is by the inmate, a Rules Violation Report (115) will be issued, and visits may be restricted pending the disciplinary process. If a minor is found to be unsupervised or left unwatched, the visitor wil be contacted and the visit terminated for that day. If the attempted circumvention of procedure is perpetrated by a minor, both the minor's parents, and the legal guardian's visit will be terminated. A visit will be terminated in the event a visitor, while on a visit, changes or alter his/her attire to that which is deemed unappropriate. Termination of visits due to overcrowding of visiting rooms shall be based on the recorded time/numerical schedule when the inmate signed in. The first inmate in the visiting room shall be the first visit terminated. Exceptions to termination are the same as ETO requirements #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8, (see page #5 and #6 of this rule book for specific criteria and information.)

Termination of visits will be delegated to no lower than the level of correctional sergeant. Any communication with inmates inside the facility from the sidewalk or road is prohibited. Any visitor observed communicating with inmates is subject to termination/suspension.

Denial of Visits:

Reasons for denial may be, but are not limited to, unacceptable identification or expired identification. For acceptable forms of identification, refer to section "Identification." Unacceptable behavior of an adult or minor visitor, and/or inappropriate attire, are also grounds for denial of visitation privileges.

Notice to Visitors:

The value of visiting as a means to establish and maintain meaningful family and community relationships is recognized and encouraged.

Each visitor is responsible for his or her conduct during visits. Violation of statutes, regulations or local procedures governing visiting may be cause for restriction or denial of visitation. If visitation is denied, the inmate and visitor shall receive notification of the denial, stating the reasons for the denial and the method of appealing the decision.

Emergency modifications of the visiting schedule, information and directions can be obtained by calling 1-800-374-VISI (8474).

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT VISITORS UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Visitors entering CMF are subject to a search of their person, vehicle and property. Visitors may leave the institution grounds rather than submit to a 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 issued search warrant or the cause for a search warrant arises while the visitor is on institutional grounds.
  2. It is a crime to: Reference Penal Codes 4534, 4535, 4570, 4571, 4573, 4573.5, 4573.6, 4573.8, 4573.9 and 4574.
    • Assist an inmate to escape,
    • Bring onto the grounds any weapon, firearm, explosive device, tear gas, pepper spray, alcohol, or controlled substance,
    • Take letters and/or written documents to or from an inmate,
    • Falsely identify yourself to gain admission into the institution, and/or
    • Enter without permission of the Warden if you have previously been convicted of a felony.
  3. The California Department of Corrections requires a prospective visitor currently under parole, probation or civil addict outpatient supervision to obtain and provide written permission from their case supervisor. Along with this permission, the applicant must provide the conditions of their parole/probation, i.e., consent to search, drug testing, etc. Final approval will be at the discretion of the Warden.
  4. During personal visits, inmates and their visitor(s) may pass, exchange or consume any item of food permitted in the visiting area. Neither visitors nor inmates may retain or take from the visiting area anything which the other was permitted to bring into the visiting area.
  5. The Department of Corrections is prohibited from recognizing hostages for bargaining pruposes during attempted escapes by inmates or for any other reason(s).
  6. In the event of an emergency situation which affects the inmate population of tge institution, the visiting program may be suspended during the period of the emergency.
  7. An inmate may refuse to visit, but must submit a written refusal to the Visiting Staff.