House of Correction Visiting Policies

The following is provided as general information and does not detail all established visiting rules.

THESE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Visitors should not come to the House of Correction without having scheduled an appointment in advance.

Approved visitors must arrive at the House of Correction 1 hour prior to the start of their scheduled visit for processing.

It is a felony in Massachusetts for a person to deliver any article to an inmate without the permission of the Superintendent. It is also a felony to procure an article to be delivered or to possess it with the intent to deliver it or to deposit or conceal it with the intent for an inmate to obtain it.
Any person who carries or attempts to carry any article into the facility without the expressed consent of the Department is subject to arrest, prosecution and/or loss of visiting privileges.
All inmates are eligible to receive visits; Depending on the inmate’s status, he/she may be eligible to receive up to three visits per week and one visit per day.
Each visit can last up to one hour within the limits of the scheduled visiting hours.
Any visitor who appears to be under the influence of an intoxicating substance will not be allowed to enter the facility.

Visitor Requirements

In the fall of 2004, a collaboration between the Sheriff’s Department and Boston Medical Center resulted in a survey being conducted among inmates, visitors and staff. All of the groups surveyed voiced concerns focusing on children visiting. In an attempt to balance security and access to inmate visits, we have determined that we will enact important operational changes to the visiting protocol.

The visitor registration process has been restructured beginning October 3, 2005. At this time, contact visits resumed under new guidelines that will include important safeguards.

Visitor Selection cards have been distributed to all inmates. Each inmate will have the opportunity to designate up to 3 adults from whom they wish to receive personal visits. Each visitor will be required to complete an application and will be subject to a criminal records check as well as an identification check. Applicants may have to provide additional documentation as requested. We hope that this change reduces the amount of time that visitors have to wait to come into the facility.

Visitor applications will be available at the lobby registration desk, daily between 3-11pm only. Each visitor application must be returned for processing with copy of their identification card and a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE). The application processing may take up to 10 days and the applicant will be notified of their visiting status via US Mail.

Visitors must make an appointment to visit inmates and children will only be allowed on institution property until 6:00 p.m. No children will be allowed at the 6:30 or 8:15 visiting periods.

Visiting Rules

Visitors shall listen to and follow all orders of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department personnel. Failure to comply with their directions will result in the termination of your visit. Visits conducted in the Contact Visiting room are limited to TWO (2) adults and TWO (2) children. One of the children must be able to fit on your lap. Visits conducted in the Non Contact visiting rooms are limited to ONE (1) adult and ONE (1) small child up to age five.

Visitors are expected to closely supervise their children while on the premises. Children should not be left unattended at any time. A visit shall be terminated if a child is ill, is disruptive, unruly, or disturbing other visitors.

Visitors are expected to behave in a manner that is not offensive to others. Offensive language or inappropriate physical contact is cause for termination of the visit.

There is no kissing of any kind while in the visiting room. During the visit, visitors and inmates shall remain seated in separate seats and are required to keep their hands visible at all times.

All visitors’ personal property (wallet, pocket book, money, cell phone, etc.) are not allowed beyond the main lobby. Personal property may be secured in the lockers located in the main lobby.
No article other than the orange locker key is allowed in the visiting room. No article is to be passed to the inmate at any time.
Any person entering this facility is subject to being searched.
Any person who refuses to be searched will not be allowed to visit and will be asked to leave.

Identification Requirements

A valid and current PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD i.e., Massachusetts Driver’s License, Massachusetts Identification card, or Passport is required for all adults. Children under the age of 18 are considered minors and must be accompanied by a parent or documented legal guardian unless a completed minor consent form is presented. All minors must have an original birth certificate while on visiting and on our premises.

Application for visiting privileges from individuals that meet one or more of the following will not be granted:

The applicant has been confined to a penal facility within the past six months;
The applicant has a criminal complaint pending;
The applicant is a convicted felon who, as a condition of probation, is prohibited from associating with other felons; and/or;
The applicant is the "victim/witness" of any individual incarcerated at the facility;
The applicant has an active restraining order (MGL c. 209A/CORI-A) issued against any individual incarcerated at the facility.

Any applicant with a prior felony conviction or with an incarceration history with the Department may submit a written request for visiting privileges through the office of the Superintendent. Approval of the request must be granted before visitation privileges are granted.

Dress Code

Visitors must conform to the following dress code or the visit will not be allowed:

Women

NO: Shorts, culottes, capris, halter tops, hip-hugger pants, sweat suits, mini skirts, wrap around skirts or dresses, full zippered shirts, hooded shirts, uniforms or bare feet. All skirts must be below the knees. Nothing is to be worn in the hair. Hats and scarves are not allowed.

The only jewelry allowed is one (1) wedding ring and one (1) religious medallion.

Men

NO: Shorts, jumpsuits, sweat suits, fatigues, hooded shirts or hats.

The only jewelry allowed is one (1) wedding ring and one (1) religious medallion.

Any other article of clothing deemed inappropriate at the discretion of the visiting supervisor.

Inmate Property

Inmates who are scheduled to appear in court may have clothing exchanged between the hours of 8am - 11:15am and 7pm - 9pm Monday through Friday.

Inmates may receive one set of clothes, which must be swapped for all clothing in the inmate’s property bag. When bringing in court clothes identification must be shown.

No inmate property will be accepted on Saturday Sunday or Holidays. No food of any type will be accepted for inmates. Soft covered books, magazines and newspapers are accepted from publishers only.

Inmate Funds

Funds to be placed in an inmate’s account will be accepted between the hours of 8am - 2pm and 4pm - 9pm daily.

Bank checks and money orders will be accepted for deposit into inmate’s account.

Cash, travelers’ checks and personal checks are not accepted.

Deposits into an inmate’s account shall be limited to and will not exceed $500.00 per transaction.

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