Section 2525.50  Restriction of Visitors

a)         The Chief Administrative Officer may limit the frequency and duration of visits in accordance with the availability of space and staff.

b)         The Chief Administrative Officer may limit the number of persons allowed per visit in accordance with considerations of space, time, and security.

c)         Visiting privileges may be temporarily suspended by the Chief Administrative Officer during an institutional emergency or lockdown and for a reasonable time thereafter, upon the approval of the Director.

d)         Visitors and youth shall not be permitted to exchange any item during a visit, except with prior approval of the Chief Administrative Officer.

e)         The Chief Administrative Officer may deny, suspend, or restrict visiting privileges based, among other matters, upon the following:

1)         Security and safety requirements;

2)         Space availability;

3)         Disruptive conduct of the youth or visitor;

4)         Abuse of the visiting privileges by the youth or visitor; or

5)         Violation of State or federal laws or departmental rules by the youth or visitor.

f)         Any of the following actions on the part of a visitor may result in a temporary restriction of up to six months:

1)         Disruptive conduct of a minor nature.

2)         Disobeying an order or posted rule.

3)         Refusal to submit to search.

4)         Possession of drugs when the visitor has demonstrated there was no intent to conceal or introduce drugs into the facility.

5)         Possession of alcohol when the visitor has demonstrated there was no intent to conceal or introduce alcohol into the facility.

6)         Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

7)         Possession of other contraband as defined under State, federal, or local laws or other departmental rules not specifically outlined in this Subpart.

g)         Any of the following actions on the part of a visitor may result in a permanent restriction:

1)         Assaultive behavior on any individual.

2)         Sexual misconduct.

3)         Possession of weapons.

4)         Possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia.

5)         Unauthorized possession of money.

6)         Possession of escape paraphernalia.

7)         Possession of alcohol.

8)         Providing false identification or information.

9)         Disruptive conduct of a major nature.

10)         Violation of State, federal, or local law during a visit, including arrest or conviction based on any action committed during a visit.

11)         Any recurrence of an action that previously resulted in a temporary restriction.

h)         Employees who have been involved with youth or former employees who have either resigned or have been terminated as a result of involvement with youth may be permanently restricted from visits if it is determined they may be a threat to safety or security.

i)          If contraband is discovered in the possession of a youth either during or after a visit, it will be assumed that the contraband was introduced by the youth's visitor.

j)          Visits of youth hospitalized in the community may be restricted to the immediate family and shall be subject to the general visiting policies of the hospital.

k)         Written notification of temporary or permanent restriction of visiting privileges shall be sent to the visitor and to the youth.  Any person excluded from a youth's visiting list at one youth center shall be excluded at all youth centers.  The notice of temporary restriction shall state the exact length of the restriction.

l)          Notices of permanent restrictions shall inform visitors and youth that they may request that the Chief Administrative Officer review the decision after a six month period.  After the initial six month review, permanent restrictions shall be reviewed by the Chief Administrative Officer on an annual basis upon request of the youth or their visitors.  Written notification of the decision shall be sent to the visitor and to the youth.

m)        The Chief Administrative Officer may restore visiting privileges at any time.