Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) Visitation Center

VISITING AN INMATE AT SMCI

GENERAL PROCEDURES

At all times while on the grounds of the Mississippi Department of Corrections a visitor is subject to search of his person, vehicle, personal property, or any/all items one may have in his possession. Guns, knives, ammunition, alcohol, drugs, weapons, or any instrument or tool that may be used as a weapon, or any other items declared by the institution to be contraband are strictly forbidden. Contraband will be confiscated and violators will be prosecuted.
Visitors are required to park their vehicles in the designated parking area.
Visitors are prohibited from taking personal property or articles of any kind into the institution, with the following exceptions:
1. Visitors may have a maximum of $20 in coin. Visitors seeing RID facility will not be allowed to have any money. A change machine is provided as a courtesy to those visitors wishing to use the vending machines in the visiting rooms. The change machines are located in the entrance buildings at Area-I, Area-II, and Area-III.
2. All paper currency must be converted to coin prior to admission to the visiting room. Any visitors found with paper currency in their possession in the visiting room will have their visit terminated and may be subject to suspension of future visiting privileges.
3. Visitors with infants may have one diaper bag with up to two diapers, and one bottle, one change of baby clothes, and any necessary medications for the infant. All diaper bags will be thoroughly searched. Visitors may use a clear see-through diaper bag to make for easier searches.
4. Visitors who are on any kind of prescribed medication may have the necessary dosage in their possession. However, all prescribed medicine must be kept at the front desk.
5. All other articles and/or items of any kind are prohibited. Cameras, cell phone cameras, or any type of recording devices are not allowed on the grounds of the South Mississippi Correctional Institution. Visitors must leave beepers, wallets, purses, handbags, change purses, and all other non-allowable items locked in one of the visitor lockers provided in the entrance building for Area I or lock them in their vehicles.
The visitation rooms are designated as non-smoking areas.
The Mississippi Department of Corrections is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal possessions belonging to visitors while they are in or on the grounds of the institution.
Visitors will only be permitted to visit one offender unless they are related (immediate family) to another offender. Visitors who claim immediate family relationship to an offender may be required to provide verifiable proof of relationship.
Visitors under the age of eighteen (18) may visit, but must have on file with the institution the written permission of their parent or guardian. MINORS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.
All visitors fourteen (14) years of age and older must have photographic identification
Visitors who claim to be the spouse of an offender must provide a valid certified copy of their marriage license, as well as the location where the marriage took place (state, county, city); name of the church, courthouse, etc., where the ceremony was performed; and if possible the name of the person who performed the ceremony.
Persons on probation, parole, or other forms of conditional release will not be permitted to visit an offender unless a verifiable family relationship can be established, and then only with the written approval of the Superintendent.
No more than five (5) persons (including babies/children) will be permitted to visit an offender at one time.

DRESS CODE

MALE VISITORS

Shirts must be worn
No tank tops or bare midriffs
Shorts may not be above the knee
No cut-off shorts, jogging shorts, or biking shorts
Shoes/tennis shoes must be worn
Under shorts will be worn
Shorts and long pants must be worn above the hips
No hats or head covering of any kind

FEMALE VISITORS

Shorts may not be above the knee
No hip hungers, cut-offs, jogging shorts or biking shorts
Skirts and dresses will not be above the knee
Slits will not extend above the knee when seated
No sheer clothing
No tank tops or bare midriffs
Shoes/tennis shoes must be worn
Bras and panties will be worn
No hat or head covering of any kind

VISITING DAY

Upon arrival at the institution, visitors will be processed in the following manner:
Present proper photographic identification (all persons over fourteen (14) years of age).
Sign the visitors sign-in log.
Submit to a search of their person by frisk search and/or scan with a metal detector.
Submit to a search of any/all items in their possession that are allowed to be carried into the institution.
Visitors who are not on an offenders approved visiting list will not be granted admission to the institution.
Inquiries concerning clarification, explanation, or errors in visiting lists should be directed by the visitor to the institution between the hours of 0800 and 1700, Monday through Friday.
Visitors who are admitted to the institution will proceed directly to the Visitation Centre.
Visitors shall not be permitted to leave designated visiting areas. When a visitor leaves the designated visiting areas for any reason, the visit will be terminated.
The visiting processing officer will instruct visitors not having proper identification to wait until all other visitors are processed. It will then be determined if the visitor can be positively identified. If not, the visitor will not be permitted to visit.
Upon conclusion of visitation hours, visitors will not be permitted to leave the institution with any items or property that was not in their possession upon entering the institution except inmates personal property which has been confiscated.
Offenders and visitors are prohibited from giving, trading, selling, or receiving anything to or from each other or other offenders or visitors.
If the visiting room becomes overcrowded, the first visitors to register will be asked to exit.
Communication between offenders and visitors is prohibited after the visitors departure from the visiting area.
Children must not disturb others. Failure to supervise children may result in termination of the visit. Absolutely no toy guns or knives will be brought into the institutional grounds.
The dress code will be enforced for both offenders and visitors at all times.
Visitors are expected to converse normally. Loud talking, arguing, loud laughing, yelling and so forth may result in termination of the visit.
Combing of hair within the visiting building is prohibited.
Visitors may leave the visiting area at any time. Once a visitor leaves the visiting area for any reason, he/she will not be permitted to return that particular day.
Visitors may not visit with more than one offender unless they are members of the same family.
Any visitor or offender who becomes disruptive or disrespectful to a staff member will be reported and the visit immediately terminated.
Offenders and visitors must keep the area clean (i.e., all cans, paper, paper cups, and other trash will be placed in trash containers).
During an emergency or disturbance, all visitors will be asked to leave immediately

PRESCRIBED MEDICATION

Visitors required to take prescribed medication during the time they are visiting an offender MUST follow the procedures outlined below:
Medication will be left with the Visitor Centre Officer.
The visitor will notify the Visitor Centre Officer of the specific time the medication is to be taken.
The visitor will be permitted to recover the necessary dosage from the officer at the appropriate time.
Visitors required to possess prescribed medication at all times, such as heart medication, must follow the procedures outlined below:
1. The visitor must submit a written request to the Area Warden prior to bringing medication into the institution's visiting area. A written doctors statement is required verifying the name of the individual, the prescribed medication, and the fact that the individual is required to maintain the medication in his/her possession at all times.
2. Upon complying with the above, the Area Warden or designee will notify the visitor in writing of his approval.
3. The visitor must present both the written approval and the medication to the Visitor Centre Officer who will verify the approval and inspect the medication vial, if necessary.
4. In addition to relinquishing the medication vial to the officer for inspection prior to entering, he/she will also do the same upon departing the institution.
5. Medication brought onto institutional grounds by visitors other than as outlined above will be considered promoting dangerous contraband and appropriate action will be taken.
6. No over-the-counter medication of any kind will be permitted.

AFFECTIONATE BEHAVIOUR

Affectionate behaviour is accepted and expected; however, visitors and offenders are expected to demonstrate appropriate affectionate behaviour at all times.
Appropriate affectionate behaviour at this institution is defined as: a brief kiss and embrace upon entry and exit, holding hands, walking or sitting with arms around the shoulders or waist, or hands resting on any part of the body not considered sexual.
Any person involved in inappropriate behaviour may have their visit terminated immediately. Inappropriate affectionate behaviour is defined as:
Touching or fondling of areas considered sexual
Sexual activity
Prolonged body kissing or body embracing
Lip kissing except for beginning or end of visit
Sitting in such a manner so as to expose to view areas of the body considered sexual
No sitting in each others lap does not apply to children under the age of 12 years
Sitting or lying on the grass is prohibited

QUESTIONS/CONTACT

Visitation Area I & III- Officer E. Miller Visitation Area II- Officer J. White 601.394-5600 Ext.1060
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VISITING AN INMATE AT CMCF

APPROVED VISITORS

Under the age of eighteen, must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Visitors fourteen and older will have photographic ID each time they wish to visit. Visitors will not be permitted entrance to the institution without photographic ID.
Individuals on probation or parole or other forms of conditional release will obtain the permission of both their program supervisor and the Superintendent prior to being allowed to visit

UNAPPROVED VISITORS

Individuals who have been convicted of a felony will be prohibited from visiting offenders except in those cases where immediate family relationships can be established.
Individuals who, through investigation, are believed to pose a threat to the offender or institution will be excluded from visitation.
A visit between an offender and the offenders victim will not be permitted unless approved, in advance, in writing by the Superintendent.

LENGTH AND FREQUENCY OF VISITS

Only the institutions schedule, space, and personnel constraints or where there are substantial means to justify such limitation will limit the length and frequency of visits. It is the responsibility of the offender to notify his/her visitors of the days and hours of visitation.
Quick-bed A building B custody offenders will be allowed to visit the first and third Saturday of each month.
Quick-bed B building B custody offenders will be allowed to visit the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
C custody offenders will be allowed to visit the second Tuesday of each month and the fifth Sunday.
All approved offenders will be allowed to receive visitors from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on scheduled visiting days.

VISITORS ENTRY TO INSTITUTION

All visitors will be required to properly identify themselves with Visitor ID cards, drivers license, Military ID or State ID and will be required to register at the visitor registration desk.
All cars are to be parked in the assigned parking areas and are subject to search.
Visitors will not be allowed to maintain possession of their personal keys while in the visitation centre.
Visitors will be allowed to bring in $20.00 currency and coins to purchase bagged items at the visitation processing centre. No monies will be allowed in the visitation centre.
Visitors are not allowed to bring cigarettes and/or tobacco in the institutional visitation centre.
Visitors will be allowed to bring prescribed medication into the institution only in the necessary dosage.
Visitors will leave cell phones, wallets, purses, handbag, change purses, excessive clothing, etc., locked in their vehicles.
Visitors with infants may have 1 diaper bag, 2 diapers, 2 bottles of formula or juice, 1 pacifier, 1 infant receiving blanket and 1 change of baby clothes. Car seats, carriers and strollers are not allowed.
Visitors will have the top of the right hand stamped prior to entry into the visitation centre.
Visitors are prohibited from trading or selling anything to a visitor.

VISITOR DRESS CODE

Visitors will be dressed appropriately. No tank tops, see-through clothing, low-cut articles of clothing exposing the upper torso, miniskirts or mini-dresses, or any form of seductive garments will be allowed.
Shorts and skirts must be no more than three inches above the knee. Visitors must wear full-length shirts (long or short sleeve). Shoes designated for street wear, including tennis shoes, must be worn. House slippers, beach sandals (i.e. thongs, flip-flops) and shower shoes are not permitted. Individuals improperly or inappropriately dressed shall not be allowed to visit.

TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF VISITORS

A visit will be denied or terminated and visiting privileges suspended by the Superintendent or designee for any of the following circumstances:
If a visitor is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If a visitor refuses to submit to a search
If a visitor refuses or fails to produce sufficient identification or falsifies identifying information
If a visitor violates institutional visiting rules
If a visitor fails to prevent children from acting in a disturbing and disruptive manner in the visiting area
If a visitor displays excessive physical contact with an offender
If in the judgement of the respective Unit Administrator, necessary order and security cannot be maintained, action will be taken to terminate the visit
If the visitor is improperly dressed