Monday through Friday & Sunday:

• 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. – Adult visits only unless a “special” children visit has been approved and scheduled.

• There will be a pause in the processing of new visitors into the Visiting Center during the patient count procedure, which USUALLY occurs from 12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., as we can not have any patient movement until the count has cleared.

• The processing of new visitors into the Visiting Center shall stop at 2:45 in the afternoon.

Saturday:

• 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Adult visits only unless a “special” children visit has been approved and scheduled.

• 1:00 p.m. to 3:15pm - This time period is for approved children visits only – only adults who have children with them may visit during this time.  These children must have also gone through the approval process prior to showing up for the visit.
• There will be a pause in the processing of new visitors into the Visiting Center during the patient count procedure, which usually occurs from 12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., as we can not have any patient movements until the count has cleared.
• The processing of new visitors into the Visiting Center shall stop at 2:45 in the afternoon.

Length of visit will be based on the number of visitors waiting, space availability, and the distance the visitor had to travel to visit.

Arrangements may be made in advance for Special Visits (example:  Children visit on a day other than Saturday afternoon) if approved by the Executive Director.  Contact the Individual's Social Worker regarding Special Visit requests.

The “NO CONTACT area may only be utilized for Individuals served who have been identified, through credible documentation, to have met any of the following conditions:

• Participation in the use, sale, possession or transportation of tobacco, illegal drug/narcotics, smoking/drug paraphernalia, or any other unauthorized contraband.
• Tested positive for illicit drugs/narcotics within the past 90 days or where there have been clinical indications of the Individual being under the influence and a drug screen has been refused by the Individual.
• Currently presents a physical risk to visitors or may compromise the safety and security of this facility.

The “NO CONTACT” visiting will be considered prior to a formal denial of visitation rights.

“NO CONTACT” visiting will also be use for those visitors whose visiting approval has not been processed and approved.

All visitors shall register with the visiting room officer before a visit takes place.  All visitors shall present proof of identity before being permitted to visit.  The following shall be acceptable forms of identification:

• Valid driver’s license with picture
• Valid Department of Motor Vehicles' identification card with picture
• Valid federal passport with picture
• Armed forces identification card with picture
• Identification cards issued by the United States Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service
• Valid Mexican Consulate identification with picture

All visitors must register with the CDCR Officers prior to each visit, presenting the Officer with their acceptable form of identification (listed above), giving their name, date of birth, address, telephone number, relationship to patient, and date of visit. This Information will be kept on file.

"PLEASE DRESS TO PASS"

This is just a reminder to all visitors to please remember to dress appropriately for your visit so that we have less delays in getting you in for your visit. We have recently been experiencing an increase in the number of visitors that have had problems when going through the metal detector. Visitors should wear a minimal amount of jewelry (e.g. wedding bands, one necklace, one bracelet, and watch) which is not made of heavy metal and does not include sharp edges. This is especially important during the holiday seasons as we expect an increase in visitors.

Visitors must be appropriately dressed and groomed, and wear shoes or sandal type shoes and undergarments. Visitors must be fully clothed. Buttons and zippers must remain fastened.

• No dark brown or khaki clothing that resembles patient's clothes.
• No tank tops, halter-tops, low cut tops, bare midriff, or revealing tops.
• No short shorts - no higher than 2 inches above the knee (Bermuda shorts acceptable).
• No short skirts or dresses (no higher than 2 inches above the knee)
• Slits in garments shall not expose more than the knee
• No see through clothing or skintight(all spandex type shorts or pants must be covered with a shirt or blouse down to the middle of the thigh).
• No headgear (hat, scarf's, etc.).
• No clothing with obscene or disparaging language or pictures.
• No clothing resembling any notorious group
• No uniforms of any type (except active military), no military fatigues
• No wigs or hairpieces shall be allowed without approval of the Watch Sergeant (approval shall be based on need, e.g.: baldness)
• No sunglasses unless prescription sunglasses
• Visitors Should wear a minimal amount of jewelry (e.g. wedding bands, one necklace, one bracelet, and watch) which is not made of heavy metal and does not include sharp edges.
• No "wire type" underwire bras (plastic stay version are allowed)

All visitors will be processed for the detection of contraband upon entering and departing the Visitor Center.  If the visitor refuses the search the visit may be denied and the visitor will be ordered to leave the hospital grounds.

All items brought to the Visiting Center are subject to a thorough visual search by the CDCR/HPD Officers.

It is recommended that all visitors leave their purses and any other hand-carried visitor property in their vehicles if possible. If these items are brought to the Visiting Center, they will be placed in a locker (limited availability), and the key will be retained by the visitor.

No more than four (4) persons may visit any one patient at a time.  Tables may not be pulled together for visiting, eating, or storage of food items.  Only one patient may visit at each table unless prior written approval has been obtained from the patients' Program Director(s).

Top of Page

Click to read Patton's Allowable Items/Contraband Policy

Alcoholic beverages, drugs, cigarettes/tobacco products, poisons, glue, firearms, weapons, cameras, recording devices, or pets.

No items (e.g. money, packages, gifts, property, etc…) will be accepted or exchanged between visitors and patients in the Visiting Center by CDCR/HPD Officers or Patton State Hospital clinical staff. 

Patients are not allowed to sign or receive any legal documents, personal checks, money orders, etc., while in the Visiting Center.

CDCR/HPD Officers and Patton State Hospital staff in the Visiting Center are prohibited from accepting cash or checks for delivery to patients or to the Trust Office. Visitors wishing to give funds will be advised to mail the funds for deposit in the patient's account in the Trust Office. Visitors wishing to send packages of acceptable items will be advised to use the postal service (Patton State Hospital 3102 East Highland Avenue, Patton, California 92369).

Visitors may not bring radios, televisions, musical instruments, diaper bags, strollers, pens, pencils, papers, books, written material, documents, or Bibles may be brought into the Visiting Center.

It is recommended that all visitors leave their purses and any other hand-carried visitor property in their vehicles if possible.  If these items are brought to the Visiting Center they will be placed in a locker, outside the visiting room (with limited availability), and the key will be retained by the visitor.

When visitors have children with them, they are permitted to take the following items into the Visiting Room:

• one (1) baby carrier/car seat
• one (1) baby blanket;
• three (3) diapers;
• three (3) clear plastic bottles;
• one (1) container of baby wipes;
• one (1) toy (noiseless and non-stuffed).

Bibles are available from the Visiting Center staff.

Patients may view visitor's photographs in front of the officer at the officer's station after the officer has screened the photographs for appropriate subject content.

Visitor/Patient Food Privileges: Visitors may bring edible foods to be consumed in the Visiting Center in accordance with the following requirements:

All food containers will be opened to assure the contents do not contain contraband.

Food items will be limited to those items that can be carried in one box, inside dimensions not to exceed 12" wide, 18" long and 12" high.

Non-Allowable Items related to the consumption of food:

• No cooler/ice chests
• No liquid refreshments or ice other than those available in the Visiting Center
• No thermos bottles or other open containers containing liquid refreshments
• No faulty or leaking containers
• No whole melon-type foods
• No metal knives, spoons, and forks
• No glass utensils or containers
• No tin foil
• No tablecloths

Visitors and patients are restricted to the use of one table to both eat and store their food and only the number of chairs to accommodate the visitors and patient. The storing of food items is restricted to the table where the food is being consumed. The use of the floor, the joining of extra tables and/or chairs to store and/or eat food is not permitted.

The sharing of food with other visitors or patients is not permitted.

All visitors and patients consuming foods in the Visiting Center and picnic area are required to clear, on and around tables, any uneaten foods, crumbs, or trash prior to termination of visit. Trashcans are provided for the disposal of all trash.

In order to allow this privilege to continue in the future, it is imperative that the above requirements be met. Any violations could result in the termination of this privilege.

Any unacceptable behavior or violation of these rules, or failure to comply with an officer's request, may result in immediate termination of the visit.  Violation of requirements governing food privileges in the Visiting Center could result in the loss of the privilege.

The vending machines may be operated by visitors ONLY. Individuals served (patients) are not allowed to access the vending machines and the machines and surrounding area are to be designated as out of bounds to individuals served.

The microwave oven may be operated by visitors ONLY. Individuals served (patients) are not allowed to access the microwave oven and the microwave oven and surrounding area are to be designated as out of bounds to individuals served.

Any Visitor who is found to be in violation of the hospital's policies regarding the introduction of contraband into the facility may have their authorization to visit withdrawn for a minimum of 30 days

A patient and visitor may greet with momentary contact (limit of five seconds), embrace and briefly kiss at the beginning and the end of each visit. Except for holding hands, no other personal body contact is permitted. Visitors shall not sit on a patient’s lap.  Greetings and farewells must be conducted at the table where they are visiting.

Smoking is prohibited on the grounds of Patton State Hospital (includes entire campus and all buildings).

Visitors shall not leave the visiting area except at the conclusion of the visit.

Visitors who have been restricted from the grounds of Patton State Hospital may request a review of the restriction by the Executive Director.

It is a felony to assist a patient to escape or attempt to escape from a state hospital (W&I Code, Section 7326).