Nevada DepartmentNevada Department of of

CorrectionsCorrections

Inmate VisitingInmate Visiting

Employee Development

Training/ Revised 2006

ObjectivesObjectives

1.1. Pre-VisitPre-Visit

2.2. Actual VisitActual Visit

3.3. Post-VisitPost-Visit

Pre-VisitPre-Visit

Visits fall under several categories…Visits fall under several categories…

•Regular visits; family & friends

•Irregular, Special or Bereavement visits

•Legal Visits

•Official Visits

•Religious Visits

Non-Human FactorNon-Human Factor

There are many areas that need to be searched prior There are many areas that need to be searched prior to letting visits begin. to letting visits begin.

•Visitor’s Area

•Waiting Room

•Restrooms

•Locker Rooms

•Furniture

•Security Barriers

•Entrance & Egress Areas

•Trash Containers

•Cleaning Equipment

Non-Human FactorNon-Human Factor

Background Checks

All visitors must have a background check

completed before they are authorized to visit an

inmate. The visiting room staff are responsible for

this.

Non-Human FactorNon-Human Factor

Who may visit inmates?

Family & Friends; Background Required

Attorney's; No background Required

Clergy; Approved by Chaplain or Warden/designee

News Media; Approval of Warden/designee

Inter-Institutional; Approval from both institutions wardens

Non-Human FactorNon-Human Factor

Who are the only persons required to get written approval from the director to visit

an NDOC inmate?

A Current EmployeeA Current EmployeeImmediate Family Members Only

Human FactorsHuman Factors

The human factor is where officer meets The human factor is where officer meets face to face with the visitors and the face to face with the visitors and the

inmates. This is where search’s will be inmates. This is where search’s will be conducted on the visitor and the inmate. conducted on the visitor and the inmate.

The officer must be ever vigilant but The officer must be ever vigilant but remain professional and courteous at the remain professional and courteous at the

same time.same time.

Human Factors- InmateHuman Factors- Inmate

Staff must be observant of inmates and their behavior patterns from visit to visit.

•Natural

•Irritable

•Nervous

•Inconsistent normal behavior

•Clothing; is it typical

•Excessive jewelry

Human Factors- VisitorsHuman Factors- Visitors

Visitors bring many differences to the visiting room.

•Cultures

•Backgrounds

•Relationships

•Age

•Dress

•Cooperative Spirit

•Uncooperative Spirit

•Anxiety, If 1st Visit

•Animosity

•Anger

•Shame

•Empathy

Human Factors- VisitorsHuman Factors- Visitors

Visitors could possibly bring contraband into a visiting room, be alert to their

behavior.•Are they irritable

•Are they agitated

•Are they wearing excessive clothing

•Do they avoid eye contact

•Is their speech broken, stuttering or weak

•Do they have a history with contraband introduction

Human Factors- Human Factors- SearchingSearching

Visitors must be searched as well as the Visitors must be searched as well as the inmates that visit. Be observant of the inmates that visit. Be observant of the

following….following….

•Mannerisms

•Their Speech

•Are they acting different

•Are they following the Rules

•Search the Children as well

Actual VisitActual Visit

The staff assigned to the visiting room must be familiar to the department & facilities

procedures and policies. If contraband is going to be

exchanged, this is where it is going to happen.

Actual VisitActual VisitNon-Human FactorNon-Human Factor

Visiting staff must be ever vigilant of:

•FurnitureFurniture

•Security BarriersSecurity Barriers

•Non contact areasNon contact areas

•Physical ActionsPhysical Actions

•Graffiti on walls & tablesGraffiti on walls & tables

Actual VisitActual VisitHuman FactorHuman Factor

Visiting room officers must work together and be vigilant of…

•Changes in the environmentChanges in the environment

•Changes in moods & behaviorsChanges in moods & behaviors

•ArgumentsArguments

•Bad newsBad news

•Pre-arranged disturbancesPre-arranged disturbances

Post - VisitPost - Visit

When a visit is completed, the post

visit operation is just as important as

the pre & actual visit. Your best

searches should be done at this time.

Post – VisitPost – VisitNon-Human FactorNon-Human Factor

Everything inside the visiting room Everything inside the visiting room must be searched and cleared of any must be searched and cleared of any

possible contraband left behind. possible contraband left behind.

Visit rooms

Restrooms

Connecting rooms

Furniture

Trash Containers

Vending Machines

Microwaves

Games & Books

Post – VisitPost – VisitHuman FactorHuman Factor

After the visit is complete the visiting After the visit is complete the visiting team must be alert to the following team must be alert to the following

factors…factors…•Visitors behaviors & mannerisms

•Did the visit have to be Terminated

•Was the visit good or bad by your observation

•What are the inmates mannerisms

SummarySummary

Inmates visits are Inmates visits are beneficial to an inmates beneficial to an inmates

rehabilitation and rehabilitation and management. It management. It provides positive provides positive

reinforcement to the reinforcement to the inmates behavior, inmates behavior,

conduct and attitude conduct and attitude within a prison settingwithin a prison setting

SummarySummary

As correctional staff, it is As correctional staff, it is our duty & responsibility our duty & responsibility to ensure a safe & secure to ensure a safe & secure visiting room. We must visiting room. We must

show our highest level of show our highest level of professionalism while professionalism while

dealing with visitors and dealing with visitors and inmates.inmates.

SummarySummary

The key to an The key to an effective visiting effective visiting

room is supervision room is supervision and management. and management.

Know your policies Know your policies & procedures and be & procedures and be

professional at all professional at all times.times.