For inmate information, please call 508.995.6400, extension 2535
 
 
 
  Inmate Property Exchanges
  Bail Information
  Sending Mail to an Inmate
  Inmate Phone System
  Directions to Facilities
   
   
  Visitors: Download Request Forms
  "Request to Visit" Forms will no longer be available from a facility security reception desk. Please download and print the forms below:
   
  "Request to Visit" Form (pdf)
  "Minor Request" Form (pdf)
   
  (To view pdf. files, use Adobe Acrobat Reader)
   
   
 
 
VISITING RULES AND REGULATIONS
    The policies mentioned on this website are subject to change without notice. Rules and regulations shall be available to visitors and posted in the entrance of each BCSO correctional facility:
 
  • Inmates and visitors must have consideration and respect for others during visits. They must, therefore, refrain from disruptive or distractive behavior; profane or threatening language and/or physical contact (if possible) that could allow the passing of contraband.
 
 
PROHIBITED CLOTHING AND CONTRABAND FOR INMATE VISITORS
(Click here for the Portuguese or Spanish Version)
 
 

TO:     ALL BCSO INMATE VISITORS
FROM: STEVEN SOUZA, SUPERINTENDENT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
RE:     PROHIBITED CLOTHING AND CONTRABAND FOR INMATE VISITORS

THIS LIST IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN PORTUGUESE & SPANISH

BE ADVISED THAT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 26, 2011, THE FOLLOWING LIST OF PROHIBITED CLOTHING AND CONTRABAND MATERIALS SHALL BE ENFORCED FOR INMATE VISITORS AT EACH BRISTOL COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. 

PROHIBITED VISITOR CLOTHING:

Visitors shall not wear the following clothing items or accessories during an inmate visit:

        1. Sweatpants, sweatshirts, sweat suits, exercise attire (i.e. weightlifting pants, exercise shorts, muscle shirts), or outfits made of the same material as sweat pants or sweat suits; (allowable for age 8 and younger);
        2. Fatigue or camouflage style clothing (unless worn by military personnel with official credentials);
        3. With the exception of undergarments, spandex or spandex type clothing;
        4. Bare midriff, low cut, excessively revealing, sheer, or transparent clothing with or without undergarments;
        5. Clothing similar to those issued to inmates or uniformed personnel (i.e. hospital scrubs, police, postal and utility uniforms);
        6. Hats, hair wraps, or other hair coverings (Religious or medical hair coverings are permitted but shall be subject to search.);
        7. Bobby pins, barrettes, and ribbons;
        8. Jackets, coats, vests, or similar outer garments. (Lockers shall be provided to store such garments.);
        9. Double layer clothing (i.e. two (2) pairs of under shorts, a sweater/shirt combination);
        10. Leg warmers;
        11. Bibbed clothing of any type: shorts, dress, pants, overalls, jumper, etc. (allowable for age 8 and younger);
        12. Clothing with patches, torn clothing (including torn pocket linings), with holes or missing buttons;
        13. Hooded tops including hooded sweatshirts or ponchos;
        14. Pajama style clothing (allowable for infants only);
        15. Pants that are excessively baggy or excessively tight;
        16. Wigs, toupees, hair extensions, weaves, and braids may be worn, but shall be subject to search. (It shall be the responsibility of the visitor to inform the Officer that they are wearing a hairpiece during the search process.);
        17. Tights, leotards, or body suits of a dance/exercise fashion shall not be allowed as an outfit, but permitted with pants, skirts, or shirts that meet the required measurements (please refer to #23);-
        18. Wrap around shirts or skirts. (Wrap around skirts may be allowed for verified religious reasons.) ;
        19. Tank tops, halter tops, tube tops and other sleeveless tops;
        20. Tops that expose the back beyond the upper shoulder area;
        21. Non-traditional undergarments. (The wearing of a bra shall be determined at the discretion of the Security Reception Officer. Thongs are not permitted. Nylons or underwear with holes in the immediate crotch are not permitted);
        22. Bathing suits, shorts, any clothing with excessive pockets, metal or drawstrings. (Children age 8 and younger may wear shorts.); 
        23. Dresses or skirts that exceed approximately 4 inches above the knee shall not be permitted; 
        24. Skirts with slits extending 4 inches above the knee;
        25. Clothing with zippers that go the full length of the garment with the exception of outerwear. (allowable for children age 8 and younger);
        26. Facial/body jewelry, necklaces, bracelets. The Security Reception Officer shall instruct visitors to remove or cover such items prior to visit. (The only exception regarding jewelry is a traditional engagement ring/wedding band, religious medallion on a necklace/chain and medical alert jewelry. Rings that can not easily be removed from fingers are also permitted.);
        27. Nose, eyebrow, tongue rings, check rings, etc. or brands are not allowed;
        28. Watches (except for legal visitors, DSS, auditors, and other government officials).

The following additional dress code procedures shall also apply:

        1. Footwear (shoes, sneakers, boots, sandals, or any open toed shoe) must be worn on BCSO property at all times. Boots worn above the knee are not allowed. Bare feet are not permitted.
        2. Visible tattoos and/or clothing depicting, describing, or otherwise referring to the following matters shall not be worn during inmate visits and must be removed or covered prior to visit:
          • Sexual conduct, preference or acts, sexual organs or other body parts;
          • Intolerance of, or discrimination against, any race, religion, gender, sexual preference, or national origin;
          • Organizations or groups that advocate intolerance, discrimination, gang affiliation, gang “colors” or violence;
          • Logos or characterizations that reference alcohol or illegal substances.
        3. Law enforcement, public safety or military t-shirts, hats, or other clothing must be covered or removed before an inmate visit, unless such clothing is worn in a verifiable, official capacity.

 

CONTRABAND ITEMS: With the exception of persons identified, no inmate visitor shall be permitted to bring the following contraband items inside an inmate visiting room: (Lockers shall be provided to store such items);

              1. Firearms, knives, mace/pepper spray or any other self-defense instrument (unless so ordered by staff during an emergency situation);
              2. Pocket knives;
              3. Pens or pencils (except for legal visitors, DSS, auditors and other government officials);
              4. Non-Prescription medicine and prescription drugs (except for approved, keep-on-person, lifesaving drugs);
              5. Chewing gum;
              6. Money;
              7. Tobacco products of any kind, lighters, and matches;
              8. Nail polish, perfumes, or polish remover;
              9. Letters or notes (except for legal visitors, DSS, auditor and other government officials);
              10. Newspapers, magazines, periodicals, news clippings, paperback books, or hard cover books;
              11. Umbrellas;
              12. Photographs;
              13. Radios, TVs, audio/visual equipment, MP3 players, computer games, etc.;
              14. Any type of computerize equipment – laptops, Kindles, I-pads, etc.  (except only  when so authorized by the Superintendent or designee);
              15. Cellular phones, beepers, pagers and/or any radio frequency alerting device, (unless BCSO issued or  when so authorized by the Superintendent or designee);
              16. Glass bottles or jars or thermos bottles with glass removable liners;
              17. Beverages in bottles or cardboard beverage containers;
              18. Containers, packages, purses, knapsacks/book bags, fanny packs, or gym bags (NONE of these items are allowed in an inmate visiting room, unless for legal purposes.);
              19. Handcuffs and cuff keys (unless BCSO issued);
              20. Food or beverages;
              21. Briefcases, leather binders, paper, notepads (except for DSS, legal visits,  auditors, and other government official);
              22. Any other items as determined by the Sheriff or his designee to be contraband within an Inmate Visiting Room.

Infants: The following items are allowed with infant visits: One receiving blanket, one pacifier and one bottle of formula, subject to search. Diaper bags are not allowed.

BCSO Correctional Officers shall ask any visitor who fails to comply with these procedures to vacate the premises, unless the visitor can quickly remedy the situation to the satisfaction of the Security Reception Officer.

All visitors are subject to search.

 

VISITOR SCREENING AND APPROVAL PROCESS

  • During inmate orientation/admission, each inmate shall provide to their assigned Social/Case Worker the names of no more than five (5) adults to visit them while incarcerated. The five-name limit shall not include attorneys or minor children. No inmates shall be permitted visits prior to the completion of the visitor approval process.
  • As stated above, each inmate will be permitted to have up to five (5) adults approved for visitors. During or following their orientation, an inmate’s Social/Case Worker will provide him/her with “Request to Visit” forms. At that time, the inmate will mail “Request to Visit” forms to those individuals they wish to visit them. Interested visitors are required to complete the “Request to Visit” forms and mail their completed forms back to the Bristol County Sheriffs Office. All visit request should be addressed as follows:

Bristol County Sheriffs Department 
Attention: COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
400 Faunce Corner Road,
North Dartmouth Ma  02747.             

NOTE:  “Request to Visit” Forms will no longer be available to the general public from a facility Security Reception desk. You may download and print the form from the link on the top of this webpage.

All forms must be processed according to the procedures established above.
 

  • APPROVAL PROCESS: The Communications Division of the Bristol County Sheriffs Department will review properly completed “Request to Visit” forms and verify that the visitor is listed on the inmates visit list. If the visitor is listed on the inmates visiting list, a Warrant Check & BOP on the requesting visitor will be generated. The results of this processing will be forwarded to the Facility Assistant Superintendent of the facility in which the inmate resides for approval or disapproval of the visit request. A person may be disapproved from visiting an inmate for the following reasons:
      • Disciplinary sanctions;
      • Criminal prosecution;
      • Outstanding cases needing court validation;
      • Warrants on the Warrant Management System;
      • Has been released from a correctional facility in the last 6 months (in accordance with BCSO policy 20.01)      
      • Failure to state the truth on the “Request to Visit” forms.
      • Security threat group (STG) membership.
      • Provide the inmate with notice of the approved/denied “Request to Visit”.
 
  • It will be the responsibility of the inmates to contact their visitors (by telephone or mail) to inform them whether their request to visit was approved or denied. 
  • Inmates will only be allowed to change their five (5) selected visitors names on a quarterly basis. Inmates will submit their changes within the first seven (7) days of each quarter on an Inmate Visitor Form with their Social/Case Worker. The quarters are January, April, July and October of each year. The approval/disapproval process identified here shall re-apply for each new submitted Visitor Request Form.
 
ROUTINE VISITOR PROCESSING PROCEDURES
  • Prior to admittance into a BCSO correctional facility, adult visitors (18 yrs of age or older) shall be required to produce a current and valid government issued photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, passport, welfare ID)
  • The on-duty Security Reception Officer at the facility will confirm the individual’s approval to be a visitor by reviewing the Inmates Visit List in the BCSO Inmate Tracking System. Individuals who have not been approved to visit with the inmate will not be permitted to visit with the inmate.
  • All visitors will be subjected to routine sign-in and search procedures, in accordance with BCSO policy and procedures.
MINOR VISITS:

(You may download and print the consent form on the top of this page)

  • Prior to an inmate visit, parents and/or legal guardians of children under the age of 18 shall complete a “Minor Visit Consent Form”. Inmates may obtain “Minor Visit Consent Forms” from their assigned Social/Caseworker.
  • All “Minor Visit Consent Forms” shall be completed and notarized.
  • Individuals who completed and have notarized a “Minor Visit Consent Forms” should mail the form to the Bristol County Sheriffs’ Department Facility:

    
Bristol County Sheriffs Department 
Attention: COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
400 Faunce Corner Road,
North Dartmouth Ma  02747         

  • Properly completed “Minor Visit Consent Forms” will be reviewed by the Communications Division to ensure that the guardian of the minor visitor is on the inmate’s visiting list. If so, the visit request will be processed by the BCSO Communications Division. The results of this processing shall be forwarded back to the Facility Assistant Superintendent in which the inmate resides, for final approval or disapproval.
 
  • Inmates will be provided with the original approved/denied “Minor Visit Consent Form” request. (Inmates will be responsible for sending the approval or denial to the parent or guardian of the minor)
  • During each visit with an inmate, minors under the age of 18 shall be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, unless so determined by the facility Assistant Superintendent.
 
  • Minors accompanied by their parent or guardian may visit inmates in accordance to the BCSO visiting schedule.  At the time of visit, the parent or guardian of the minor will be required to produce a current and valid government issued photo ID (i.e. driver’s license, passport, welfare ID), a certified copy of the minor’s Birth Certificate, and the original approved “Minor Visitor Consent Form”.  These documents will be required at each visit. The Security Reception Officer will not permit minors to enter the BCSO facility with out verification of such documents.
 
  • NOTE: Copies of Minor Visit Approvals prior to May 10th, 2009 will continue to be honored during an inmate's current period of incarceration, as long as a certified copy of the minors Birth Certificate accompanies it.
 
NOTARIZATION OF FORMS:  It is the policy of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office that no staff member will notarize Inmate Visiting Request Forms or Minor Visit Consent Forms.
 
 
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Bristol County Sheriff's Office Address: 400 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 Phone: 508.995.6400 Web: www.bcso-ma.us