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Children and Visiting
We get lots of questions about how families can bring children to visiting. This is so important that this page is dedicated to this question. If you don't find your answers here, please drop us an email at
VSPW IFC Webmaster
Children and Visiting
Minors are only allowed to visit when they are accompanied by an approved visitor such as a parent OR court appointed legal guardian, OR they have a written, notarized permission to visit from the child's parent or legal guardian AND a CERTIFIED birth certificate or embossed abstract of birth.
The visiting staff will verify the original certificate and make a copy of the birth certificate and place the copy in the inmate's visiting file. For cases when the inmate gives birth while in custody and another adult has responsibiility for the new born child, the Health Facility Minor Release Report would be accepted for the first sixty (60) days. After that date an original certified copy of the minor's birth certificate and a notarized permission letter to bring the minor into the prison by the inmate will be required. Visitor will have to bring the notarized letter and/or the court appointed guardianship papers to each and every visit. Notarized letters must have thenotary stamp on the original document; it must not be stapled or attached, unless that document is also stamped with the notary seal.
Visiting with minors shall be prohibited and/or restricted to non-contact visits for any inmate convicted for violating Penal Code Section(s) 187 or 192 involving a minor, 243.4, 261, 261.5, 262, 264.1, 266c, 266j, 273a, 273d, 273.5, 285, 286, 288, 288a, 288.2, 288.5, 289, 289.5, 311.1, 311.2, 311.3, 311.4, 313.1, 314, and 647.6 unless specifically authorized by a juvenile court, pursuant to Welfare and Institution Code Section 362.6. Arrests without a conviction and substantial evidence shows the crime has taken place may be used to prohibit visits.
Documents and Papers Required
As of September 2009, it is necessary to bring to each and every visit a CERTIFIED birth certificate and a NOTARIZED permission statement from the legal parent or legal guardian of the child.
Certified Birth Certificate: What is a 'certified' birth certificate? After July of 2003, state records departments started producing birth certificates that included an EMBOSSED STAMP on the copy of the birth certificate. This is a clamped-on indentation that the notary adds onto the surface of the paper. If you have a birth certificate that was issued before 2003, it may not be "certified". If there is no bumpy surface on the birth certificate, you'll need to apply for a new birth certificate from the State. This may take up to 3 or 4 months, especially in California, where the department handling these records has been drastically cut back. You CANNOT use a non-certified birth certificate, so check for the state seal stamped into the birth certificate that you have.
Notarized Permission Statement: What is a Notarized Permission Statement? This is a simple statement written by the parent on the birth certificate or by a legally named guardian (on court papers) that is responsible for the child.
If you are a step-parent or an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, or even a friend, you CAN take a child in to visit an inmate.
In order to do this, you must take the written statement, notarized by the parent or guardian. If the mother is in VSPW, she can get a ducat to see a notary inside the prison, and she can have a simple statement notarized naming you as the selected visitor to bring in the child. Remember -- it costs her $10 to see the notary inside. If she is indigent, you should consider sending in enough money for her to be able to pay for this. Since Restitution is 55% now, you should send in $22.10 to cover the cost of at $10 notary! The notary can be used by an indigent inmate, and the cost will be applied as a debit to her trust fund; she will need to follow the ducating procedure to see the notary.
We have seen various notarized statements that work. Here is a sample from a stepmother who was taking a niece in to see her aunt....
This statement must be notarized, and the notary stamp and information MUST BE on the same page as the statement. Don't let the notary staple their acknowledgement to the statement -- that will not be accepted by the prison!!
Number of Visitors Allowed, Including Children
Non-Contact Visits: Only 3 people are allowed in a non-contact visit (behind glass). That includes children.
Contact Visiting: Only 5 people are allowed at a time for visiting with an inmate in regular visiting. That includes children.
What Can I Bring In With the Child?
An infant requires several items, and you are allowed to bing in specific things to help you care for a small child during the visit. This includes the following items:
* Two small (less than 12 inches in length) solid toys.
* One infant carrier.
* Six disposable diapers.
* Factory-sealed baby wipes.
* Two transparent plastic baby bottles of pre-mixed formula/milk/juice per baby.
* One transparent pacifier.
* Three jars of factory sealed baby food and one plastic baby spoon.
* One single layer baby blanket.
* One transparent diaper bag.
* One change of baby clothing.
* One single-layer burp cloth.
Bringing in Money
You are allowed to bring in $50 per each visiting adult and $20 per each visiting child. Remember -- this must be either ONE DOLLAR BILLS or QUARTERS!!!
Visiting Room Procedures for Children
Each visitor and inmate is responsible for his or her own conduct while visiting. Violation of the rules and regulations may result in termination, restriction, suspension or denial of visits. Additionally, disciplinary action may be taken against the inmate. An inmate and her visitor(s) are allowed to briefly embrace and kiss at the beginning and end of their visit. Inmates may also hold minor children accompanied by an adult. Children are to remain under the direct supervision and control of the visiting parent or guardian at all times. Holding hands on top of the table in plain view is permitted, with no other physical contact. Excessive contact, (kissing, massaging, stroking, and sitting with legs intertwined or sitting on laps) could result in termination of the visit. Nursing mothers shall be discreet and covered when breastfeeding their baby in the visiting area. Failure to do so may result in termination of visiting for that day. Inmate cannot receive any items, gifts, money, jewelry, or documents during a visit. However, the adult visitor may ask for a pencil and notebook paper as needed.
Children and Visiting
Minors are only allowed to visit when they are accompanied by an approved visitor such as a parent OR court appointed legal guardian, OR they have a written, notarized permission to visit from the child's parent or legal guardian AND a CERTIFIED birth certificate or embossed abstract of birth.
The visiting staff will verify the original certificate and make a copy of the birth certificate and place the copy in the inmate's visiting file. For cases when the inmate gives birth while in custody and another adult has responsibiility for the new born child, the Health Facility Minor Release Report would be accepted for the first sixty (60) days. After that date an original certified copy of the minor's birth certificate and a notarized permission letter to bring the minor into the prison by the inmate will be required. Visitor will have to bring the notarized letter and/or the court appointed guardianship papers to each and every visit. Notarized letters must have thenotary stamp on the original document; it must not be stapled or attached, unless that document is also stamped with the notary seal.
Visiting with minors shall be prohibited and/or restricted to non-contact visits for any inmate convicted for violating Penal Code Section(s) 187 or 192 involving a minor, 243.4, 261, 261.5, 262, 264.1, 266c, 266j, 273a, 273d, 273.5, 285, 286, 288, 288a, 288.2, 288.5, 289, 289.5, 311.1, 311.2, 311.3, 311.4, 313.1, 314, and 647.6 unless specifically authorized by a juvenile court, pursuant to Welfare and Institution Code Section 362.6. Arrests without a conviction and substantial evidence shows the crime has taken place may be used to prohibit visits.
Documents and Papers Required
As of September 2009, it is necessary to bring to each and every visit a CERTIFIED birth certificate and a NOTARIZED permission statement from the legal parent or legal guardian of the child.
Certified Birth Certificate: What is a 'certified' birth certificate? After July of 2003, state records departments started producing birth certificates that included an EMBOSSED STAMP on the copy of the birth certificate. This is a clamped-on indentation that the notary adds onto the surface of the paper. If you have a birth certificate that was issued before 2003, it may not be "certified". If there is no bumpy surface on the birth certificate, you'll need to apply for a new birth certificate from the State. This may take up to 3 or 4 months, especially in California, where the department handling these records has been drastically cut back. You CANNOT use a non-certified birth certificate, so check for the state seal stamped into the birth certificate that you have.
Notarized Permission Statement: What is a Notarized Permission Statement? This is a simple statement written by the parent on the birth certificate or by a legally named guardian (on court papers) that is responsible for the child.
If you are a step-parent or an aunt, uncle, or grandparent, or even a friend, you CAN take a child in to visit an inmate.
In order to do this, you must take the written statement, notarized by the parent or guardian. If the mother is in VSPW, she can get a ducat to see a notary inside the prison, and she can have a simple statement notarized naming you as the selected visitor to bring in the child. Remember -- it costs her $10 to see the notary inside. If she is indigent, you should consider sending in enough money for her to be able to pay for this. Since Restitution is 55% now, you should send in $22.10 to cover the cost of at $10 notary! The notary can be used by an indigent inmate, and the cost will be applied as a debit to her trust fund; she will need to follow the ducating procedure to see the notary.
We have seen various notarized statements that work. Here is a sample from a stepmother who was taking a niece in to see her aunt....
|
Sample Notarized Statement from Parent/Guardian
As of this date, ___________________________, I, JANE DOE, legal mother of ______________________ (minor CHILD'S name), do hereby give permission for __________________________ , a 4-year-old minor child, to accompany ____________________________ (VISITOR'S NAME), an approved visitor, and current step-mother of said minor, to visit INMATE _______________________________(name of Inmate & CDCR#). Signed _________________________________ (JANE DOE, mother) |
Number of Visitors Allowed, Including Children
Non-Contact Visits: Only 3 people are allowed in a non-contact visit (behind glass). That includes children.
Contact Visiting: Only 5 people are allowed at a time for visiting with an inmate in regular visiting. That includes children.
What Can I Bring In With the Child?
An infant requires several items, and you are allowed to bing in specific things to help you care for a small child during the visit. This includes the following items:
* Two small (less than 12 inches in length) solid toys.
* One infant carrier.
* Six disposable diapers.
* Factory-sealed baby wipes.
* Two transparent plastic baby bottles of pre-mixed formula/milk/juice per baby.
* One transparent pacifier.
* Three jars of factory sealed baby food and one plastic baby spoon.
* One single layer baby blanket.
* One transparent diaper bag.
* One change of baby clothing.
* One single-layer burp cloth.
Bringing in Money
You are allowed to bring in $50 per each visiting adult and $20 per each visiting child. Remember -- this must be either ONE DOLLAR BILLS or QUARTERS!!!
Visiting Room Procedures for Children
Each visitor and inmate is responsible for his or her own conduct while visiting. Violation of the rules and regulations may result in termination, restriction, suspension or denial of visits. Additionally, disciplinary action may be taken against the inmate. An inmate and her visitor(s) are allowed to briefly embrace and kiss at the beginning and end of their visit. Inmates may also hold minor children accompanied by an adult. Children are to remain under the direct supervision and control of the visiting parent or guardian at all times. Holding hands on top of the table in plain view is permitted, with no other physical contact. Excessive contact, (kissing, massaging, stroking, and sitting with legs intertwined or sitting on laps) could result in termination of the visit. Nursing mothers shall be discreet and covered when breastfeeding their baby in the visiting area. Failure to do so may result in termination of visiting for that day. Inmate cannot receive any items, gifts, money, jewelry, or documents during a visit. However, the adult visitor may ask for a pencil and notebook paper as needed.
If you have any questions, please contact us at
Webmaster
and a volunteer will get back to you as soon as possible to help find answers to your questions!
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