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Home > Adult Facilities > Charleston > Visiting

Visiting Charleston Correctional Facility

Scheduling Visits

  1. All visits are by appointment only. The Visit Telephone number is: 285-7027.
    All visitors must have an appointment regardless of age. There will be no exceptions to this pre-appointment process. If there is a change needed to a visit, it can be made by calling during the next appointment time.
  2. Visiting hours will be held as follows:
    Tuesday ……7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    Thursday ……7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    Saturday ……8:00 AM - 9:30 AM & 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    Sunday .…...8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
  3. Visit appointments will be taken by telephone only as follows:
    Monday ……9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Tuesday ……9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Wednesday ……7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (A third visit appointment may be accepted after 8 PM if there is enough space.)
  4. Visits may be scheduled at the times listed above and can only be made for the immediate week. Visitors who wish to schedule two visits must do so on two separate appointment days.
  5. No more than three (3) visitors may visit a prisoner at any given time. A fourth person may visit, but must be under the age of (6).
  6. Only visitors who are on the prisoner’s approved visiting list will be permitted to visit. Any person wishing to visit who has not previously been an approved visitor must submit a visitor application.

    Prisoners will be notified if their potential visitors are approved or denied visitation.
  7. Visitors may visit only one prisoner at a time, unless they receive prior approval in writing from the Director.
  8. Former prisoners of the Charleston Correctional Facility or other Department of Corrections facilities must have been released a minimum of one year before being considered for visitation. Former prisoners who have been released for at least one year must obtain advanced approval in writing from the Director before a visit will be allowed.

    Special consideration for visitation will be given to relatives of prisoners who are former prisoners regardless of their release dates.

    Anyone on Probation/Parole must obtain written permission from his/her Probation/Parole Officer as well as the Director in order to schedule a visit.
  9. Visitors will not be allowed through the traffic gate until fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the scheduled visiting period.

    Adult visitors shall be required to present government issued photo identification upon admittance (such as a driver’s license).

    Minor visitors may be required to present government issued photo identification, such as a State of Maine identification card or other government issued identification, such as a birth certificate, upon admittance to the facility.
  10. All visitors are to remain in their vehicles until the Visiting Room door is opened.
  11. The Facility reserves the right to search any visitor and vehicle it deems necessary under the authorization of the Director or designee. Prisoners may be subject to a search for contraband at any time, during or after visits if the need is indicated by any of the officers on duty or the On-duty Sergeant.

Attending Visits

  1. Visitors must be properly attired.
    ACCEPTABLE DRESS: Jeans and slacks, skirts and dresses knee length or longer. Tops and shirts that are loose fitting and completely cover the upper torso.

    UNACCEPTABLE DRESS: Gym shorts, boxer shorts, short-shorts or any items of clothing with revealing holes. Clothing which makes reference to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence or with vulgar or obscene language. Bare midriffs, half shirts, halter tops, tank tops, pajamas, lingerie, or see-through clothing of any kind. No bare feet.

    Dress code rules may be waived in cases where children (0-10) and senior citizens (60 and over) are involved.

    Officers will use common sense, respect and discretion. In instances where clothing worn by a visitor comes into question, the Visiting Desk Officer will notify the Duty Sergeant. Following a visual inspection, the Sergeant will make the determination if the visitor will be permitted to visit.

    If the visit is not allowed, the visitor will be advised to leave the property. There is no appeal.
  2. Prisoners will be properly dressed for visits. This includes a shirt buttoned up and tucked in, boots/shoes properly tied. Jackets and hats will not be worn in the visit room.
  3. A prisoner and visitor may embrace or kiss briefly at the beginning and end of the visit. Prisoners and visitors may hold hands during the remainder of the visit. Petting or sexual contact may be considered reason for ending the visit. The hands of the prisoner and visitor must be visible at all times. Unless otherwise restricted, prisoners may hold their minor children in their laps. All conduct during visits must be within proper limits of decorum out of respect for others.
  4. The on-duty supervisor may choose to assign seating.
  5. Visitors will keep their children under close supervision at all times. Visitors will not be allowed to bring food or drink into the visiting room with the exception of infant’s nutrition.

    All children must be seated within the immediate vicinity of the parents or guardians. They may not sit unsupervised. They may not climb on furniture or disturb other visitors in any way, which includes yelling, screaming, throwing things.
  6. Nothing will be passed between the visitors and the prisoner unless it has been cleared by the Visit Officer.

    Contraband for the purpose of this section is defined as "a dangerous weapon, any tool or other thing that may be used to facilitate a violation of Section 757 (Escape), or any other thing which a person confined in official custody is prohibited, by statute or regulation, from making or possessing.

    Examples of contraband are: weapons, cutting blades, drugs, marijuana, alcohol, files, money, and tobacco. Persons violating this rule will be suspended from visiting and are subject to criminal prosecution. It is a felony to aide in the escape of a prisoner.
  7. There will be NO LOUD or PROFANE language. Be respectful of others.
  8. Visitors will leave all handbags, suitcases, briefcases and other items not necessary during visits locked in their automobiles. No property will be allowed to be brought in by visitors. Visitors who bring diaper bags into the visit room must leave them with the Visit Officer. Visitors coats/jackets will be stored in the prescribed area. The Facility will not assume responsibility for any of the visitors’ personal effects.
  9. Persons suspected of carrying a weapon, who appear to having been drinking intoxicants, or appear to be under the influence of a controlled substance will be not admitted. Consuming or possessing alcohol or drugs on State property is a violation of State law.
  10. No cameras or cell phones are allowed. Visitors will not be allowed to take photographs in or about the Facility.
  11. Prisoners will remain seated once visits commence except to speak to the Visit Officer. Prisoners and visitors shall not move about the visit room or visit with other prisoners or their visitors.
  12. If there is only one visitor, the visitor and prisoner must sit across from each other. Prisoners are required to sit facing the Visit Officer at all times.
  13. All items purchased in the canteen machines for the prisoners will be consumed in the visiting room.

Conclusion of Visits

  1. All visitors who leave the Visiting Room must go directly to their vehicles.
  2. Prisoners will remain seated at the end of the visit until the Visit Officer directs him to leave. The prisoner will straighten the chairs and clean up his/her visit area.
  3. A prisoner may be prohibited by the Director from receiving a visit from any other person when there is reasonable suspicion that allowing a visit between them would facilitate criminal activity or violation of facility rules and/or would create a risk to the safety of persons, security, or orderly management of the facility.

Other Visit Provisions

  1. The Director may allow special visit accommodations, provided space and staff are available. Some examples of special visits which may be considered are:
    • A visitor traveling from out of state.
    • A family making a one time visit from out of state.
    • And other special circumstances.
  2. Professional visits may be allowed after receiving approval from the Director. Professional visitors may include an attorney, a representative of a legal advocacy organization, Department of Corrections’ staff from outside of the facility, law enforcement officials, clergy, and others, as determined by MDOC Policy & Proc. 21.4 (.pdf 100K).*
    Professional visits shall be provided in an area that affords an opportunity for confidentiality.
  3. Failure to comply with the visiting policy may result in termination of the visit, as well as suspension of future visiting privileges.
  4. The Facility will provide a private area to accommodate breastfeeding mothers for mothers and children only. Prisoners will not be allowed in these areas

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