Visitation

Procedures

INMATE NOTIFICATION OF VISITING PROCEDURES

Written information regarding procedures governing visitation will be made available to inmates upon their arrival at the institution. At a minimum, the information will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Institution address/phone number, directions to the institution.
• Days and hours of visitation.
• Approved dress code and identification requirements for visitors.
• Items authorized in the visiting room.
• Special rules for children.
• Special visits

Each inmate is responsible for notifying his/her family and friends if they are approved or denied for visiting privileges or if visiting privileges have been suspended or terminated.

Visitor Applications

• Each visitor must complete a visitation application and return to the address listed on the form. The inmate is responsible for providing visitors with applications.  Applications are then processed, reviewed and either approved or denied by the Warden. This process can take from seven days to six weeks. A criminal history check is done on all prospective visitors.
• Minor children, under age 18, may not be allowed to visit unless accompanied by an approved adult visitor, or upon proof of emancipation.
• Visitors age 12 and older are required to provide photo identification for entry into a correctional facility

Visitation Hours and Number of Allowable Visitors

Visitation is either Saturday or Sunday. The inmate’s custody classification can determine when or if visitation is allowed. After you have been approved to visit the inmate, check with the individual unit for specific visiting hours. No visitation is allowed on the fifth Saturday or Sunday of the month or on holidays.

Four visitors are allowed during any one visit, including children. However, the spouse of an inmate and all children, regardless of the number, may visit when no other adults are present.

Special Visits

If the warden or center supervisor approves, special visits may be allowed any two days during the week and during regular visiting hours for approved visitors who live more than 300 miles from the unit. The visitor must request the visit 24 hours in advance during regular business hours. No special visits are allowed on holidays.

Entrance into Correctional Institutions

Any person or vehicle entering a correctional unit can be searched for contraband. Visitors in wheelchairs and those wearing wigs or religious headgear are also subject to search. If a wig is being worn for medical reasons and a medical prescription is provided, the visitor will be searched privately. Visitors must also pass through a metal detector. Units randomly drug test visitors by use of an Ion Scanner. A positive scan can lead to a search of the visitor and his or her vehicle. Visitors are not allowed to bring cameras, pagers, cellular phones, pocketknives, or food into a facility. Visitors are allowed to bring a small coin purse, billfold, identification, baby bottles, baby diapers, diaper wipes, car keys and jewelry (being worn). The warden/center supervisor or designee may set limits on the amount of money that a visitor will be allowed to bring in. Visitors age 12 and older must provide photo identification.

Visitor Dress Code

Visitors cannot wear sleeveless tops, halter-tops, tank tops, hats, shorts, mini-skirts/dresses; see-through clothing or camouflage attire to any correctional facility. Brief cut or otherwise provocative clothing will not be permitted. Children age 10 or younger may be allowed to wear shorts during visitation. The department can deny visitation to any person who is dressed inappropriately

Inmate Telephone

Inmates are provided with coinless telephones during set hours of use. Inmates can only make collect calls to pre-approved numbers. Inmates cannot have cellular phones or calling cards. Inmates can lose their telephone privileges for disciplinary reasons. Each unit has its own telephone policy, so please check with the particular unit for specific hours of use. Boot Camp inmates may write and receive letters only. They have access to telephones only in emergency situations or to notify family or friends prior to graduation from the Boot Camp.

Tobacco Policy

Inmates are not allowed to have any kind of tobacco. This policy became effective January 17, 2000, and prohibits inmates from possessing “any smoking or smokeless tobacco product.” If an inmate does have tobacco, it is considered contraband and the inmate will be disciplined. Visitors and employees must leave all tobacco products in their vehicle. Bringing tobacco products into a facility will result in loss of visitation privileges.

Mail/ Money

How to Address Correspondence

Inmate’s name and ADC number
Name of unit P.O. Box or street address
City, state and zip code

What can be sent by mail

All books, magazines, newspapers and catalogs must be mailed directly from the publisher, bookstore, educational institution, or recognized commercial or charitable outlet. No food or care packages may be mailed into an inmate. All incoming and outgoing inmate mail may be read, except for privileged correspondence with the inmate’s attorney; federal, state, and local court officials; any administrator of the Department of Correction, Board of Correction; and the media. If properly marked as privileged, the correspondence will be opened in front of the inmate and only inspected for contraband.

How to send money

Send money orders only. Include the inmate’s name and ADC number so that the correct account can be credited. Inmate will notify you of correct form to attach with money order and mailing address. Family and friends can also send money through the Department of Correction’s website. This method requires a credit card and involves a small processing fee.

Inmate Classification

New inmates go through a diagnostic process called intake. Male inmates are received at the Diagnostic Unit in Pine Bluff for intake. Female inmates go to the McPherson Unit in Newport for intake. Inmates cannot have visitors during intake, but telephone calls are allowed. After intake, inmates are transferred to a parent unit for their initial assignment. Exceptions for initial assignments are made for Boot Camp, health reasons or security concerns. Initial assignments last for a minimum of 60 days. Behavior, bed space, job availability and institutional need dictate future assignments. Inmates are classified in three ways: custody classification, good time earning classification and medical classification.

Inmate Discipline

When an inmate is written a disciplinary, it means the inmate has been accused of breaking a rule. A disciplinary hearing officer, who decides whether the inmate is guilty or innocent, will hear the inmate’s case. Being found guilty of a rule violation can result in a loss of privileges, classification level, job assignment and good time. Rule violations can lead to a confinement in punitive isolation. Disciplinary actions may be appealed as outlined in the Inmate Handbook and in department policies available in the unit law libraries.

Transfers

Any inmate can request a transfer, but the decision to transfer someone is based on bed space availability, institutional needs and other factors.

Hospital visits & Funeral Travel

Inmates are allowed visitors at the hospital. Emergency furloughs may be granted to inmates when there is a critical illness or death in their immediate family.

Victim Services

VINE – Arkansas Victim Notification Program Notification for Arkansas Department of Correction inmates will be made as follows to all registered victims:

• Release from confinement
• Death
• Escape
• Return to custody from escape
• Commutation of sentence or pardon
• Release on furlough, work release, community program. These notifications are made 30 days in advance.
• Cancellation of a scheduled release
• Parole hearings. These notifications will be made 30 days in advance.
• Cancellation of a parole hearing
• Parole hearing results