When you want to visit an inmate, especially if this is your first time, you may have no idea what things that you can take. Prisons are not places like mall, zoo or other places that you can visit as you want. Prisons have restrictions and rules that you have to obey. So, what things can we bring when we visit an inmate?
Items You can Take When Visiting a Prisoner
According to the Prison Pro site, some facilities may have lockers that you are able to rent to store the things that you bring. The lockers are provided because not all items are permitted to bring when you visit an inmate. However, according to the Prison Pro site, usually the items which are permitted to bring are your ID, single car key, eyeglasses (for medical), small bills or change for the vending machines which are in the visitation room. If you have a small child or baby, a single bottle and diaper may be permitted to bring.
So, how about the things that we cannot bring? The items that you are not able to bring are medications, cigarettes, or any illegal substances to visitation. If you take these items, it can cause immediate revocation of visiting privilege d possible criminal charges.
On the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation site, it is explained about the items that you can take when you visit an inmate. According to that site, here are the items permitted to bring without prior approval.
-
- You are permitted to bring a $70 limit per adult and $40 limit per minor where it is only as dollar bills, dollar coins and quarters (change machines are generally available but they may be out of order or out of change);
- You are permitted to bring a small (generally 6” by 8”) clear, plastic purse or bag;
- You are permitted to take two keys on a ring with no other attachments. Note that one key may be an electronic car keys;
- You are permitted to rake identification;
- You are permitted to bring a comb or brush; non-metallic, no pointed end or detachable parts;
- You are permitted to bring a small unopened pack of tissues or a handkerchief; no bandannas;
- You are permitted to bring a pair of prescription glasses;
- You are permitted to bring ten Photographs, no larger than 8” by 10”. You may show the photos to the prisoner, but the photos must be taken out by the visitor at the end of the visit. photos are not able to be Polaroid and may not include any sexual or gang images. You also need to note that photos will be viewed by staff during processing;
- You are permitted to bring documents up to 10 pages, no larger than 8-1/2” by 11” (standard size typing paper). Usually, such documents are papers for the prisoner’s signature (for example, tax forms), information to share with the prisoner (for example, pages showing classes available through a correspondence course), or family papers (for example, a child’s report card, certificate of achievement, or drawing), but they are able to be anything that can be sent to the prisoner through the mail. Documents will be seen and read by staff during processing and must be taken out by the visitor at the end of the visit;
- These baby items are permitted if you are bringing in an infant or toddler: any combination of 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; three non-glass containers of baby food in sealed packaging; one plastic spoon; six disposable diapers; one small blanket; one sealed package of baby wipes; one burp cloth; one change of clothing; two searchable small toys; one transparent pacifier; baby carrier; and clear plastic diaper bag (12” by 20”);
- You are permitted to bring inclement weather gear that may include hoods, raincoats, hats, scarves, and gloves during the winter or sun hats during the summer. However, you need to note that prisons still vary on inclement weather gear so you have to check prior to your visit.
It is important for you to note that the items that you can bring above is according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation site which means that the rules above may be different with other corrections, facilities, or prisons. So, it is better for you to contact the facility where the inmate is incarcerated to make sure about the items that you can bring to the prison.
Medical Items Permitted to Bring
How about medical items? Are these prohibited to bring? Let’s say that you need to bring items relating to a medical condition. If so, you need to have documentation from your doctor as to its need. In the documentation, there should be the doctor’s name, address, telephone number, and medical license number and needs to be updated every two years. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if you have this documentation, you will be permitted to take these medical items.
-
- You are permitted to take prescription medications which sustain your life or stabilize your condition such as inhalers or nitroglycerin. The medications need to be put in the original pharmacy container with the name of the patient, the pharmacy name and the name of the doctor and also the name of the medication. The quantities of medications that you bring may be limited to what you may need during the visit.
- You are permitted to bring mobility devices such as crutches, canes, and wheelchairs. However, you need to note that some prisons do not permit personal canes, crutches, or wheelchairs to be taken into visiting but it requires the visitor to exchange his or her personal device for a prison-issue device and then exchange back after the visit.
- You are permitted to bring hats with documentation that they are medically necessary.
- You are permitted to bring seat cushions or backs with documentation that they are needed medically.
- Let’s say that you have an implant or prosthetic device that includes metal and will trigger the metal detector. If so, you need to have documentation from a doctor that explains the nature and location of the implant or device. By having the documentation, staff will use a wand to sweep your body and will not use the metal detector to ensure security.
Well, the rules above is according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation site which seems that it probably applies for visitors who visit inmates who are incarcerated in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. If you want to know the rules of items that you may and may not bring to visit an inmate, you are able to contact the facility where the inmate is incarcerated.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
