Section 2602.210  Visiting

a)         Minimum Standards

1)         Visit Regulations

The superintendent shall establish written procedures regarding visits.

A)        A liberal visiting schedule shall be established identifying no fewer than two visiting days each week, one of which must be during the weekday evening hours and one during the weekend. Additionally, visiting shall be allowed on all legal holidays. A facility can, on a case-by-case basis, allow visits outside the normal visiting hours to ensure at least weekly visitation if the parents' or guardians' work schedule precludes visits during regular hours or a family emergency exists (e.g., death in family).

B)        Facility policy shall prioritize family engagement with youth during custody. Minimally parents and grandparents shall be allowed visits with consideration for siblings, extended family, children of the youth and other concerned adults. A list of authorized visitors for each youth shall be developed in consultation with the assigned court services or aftercare worker.

C)        No restriction shall be placed on visits by attorney, clergy, social workers, probation officers or other persons professionally associated with a youth's case at reasonable non-scheduled hours. These visits shall not count against any limitation that may be placed on the number of visits allowed.

D)        Youth shall be authorized at least one hour for each visit.

E)        Visits shall be supervised only to the extent that privacy is assured. Visits shall be contact visits unless specific concerns preclude contact visits for identified individuals.

F)         Facility policy shall have an option for video conferencing.

2)         Privileged and Confidential Visitation

An area for private interviews between youth and attorneys, religious advisors or other professional person shall be provided and arranged to ensure privacy.

3)         Security Precaution

All adult visitors shall be required to provide identification and sign a visitor register before being permitted to visit a youth.

4)         Searches

The visiting area should be thoroughly searched before and after each visit. Visitors are subject to search, and a search notice sign must be conspicuously posted. Youth must be thoroughly searched after each contact visit. A strip search may be administered to a youth only when there is individualized, reasonable suspicion.

b)         Restrictions

1)         Persons prohibited by court order from contact with a youth shall be denied visits.

2)         Persons suspected to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs should be denied visits with youth.

3)         Visitors shall be prohibited from bringing personal items in accordance with rules of contraband. Facilities shall provide, free of charge, space for individuals to secure personal belongings.