Friends Outside Visitor Center Program

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is legally mandated to contract with a non-profit agency or agencies to establish and operate Visitor Centers at each California State Prison with a population over 300 inmates. Friends Outside is a non-profit, community based organization that has provided Visitor Center services since 1971.

ALL SERVICES PROVIDED ARE FREE OF CHARGE

Services Provided California Penal Code §6352 mandates that each Visitor Center provide: Transportation is provided by prior Reservation. 1. Transportation: Utilizing a 15-passenger van, which is provided by the institution, Visitor Centers transport visitors from local, predetermined locations (bus stations, train stations, etc.) to and from the institution Utilizing a 15-passenger van, which is provided by the institution, Visitor Centers transport visitors from local, predetermined locations (bus stations, train stations, etc.) to and from the institution

2. A Sheltered Area: Visitor Centers are a sheltered area, outside of the secure perimeter, for visitors to wait at before or after visits. Friends Outside strives to provide a clean, safe, comfortable, and pleasant environment that will enhance the visit of a family member or friend Visitor Centers are a sheltered area, outside of the secure perimeter, for visitors to wait at before or after visits. Friends Outside strives to provide a clean, safe, comfortable, and pleasant environment that will enhance the visit of a family member or friend Only individuals cleared to visit are allowed to stay at the Visitor Center

3. Children’s Services: Activities Activities Children’s Program Coordinators provide activities with the intent to reduce anxieties as children come in and out during the course of the visiting day Children’s Program Coordinators provide activities with the intent to reduce anxieties as children come in and out during the course of the visiting day Childcare Childcare Children ages 6 to 17 can stay in the Visitor Centers for a maximum of 3 hours, if they meet certain criteria, while the parent or guardian visit. (Please contact Visitor Center staff for criteria before referring children for care) Children ages 6 to 17 can stay in the Visitor Centers for a maximum of 3 hours, if they meet certain criteria, while the parent or guardian visit. (Please contact Visitor Center staff for criteria before referring children for care) Children’s Snacks Children’s Snacks Visitor Centers offer complimentary, pre-packaged (individual), healthy snacks and beverages to each child during their stay at the Visitor Center Visitor Centers offer complimentary, pre-packaged (individual), healthy snacks and beverages to each child during their stay at the Visitor Center

4. Emergency Clothing: Visitors whose attire does not meet visiting room policy may be referred for an exchange of clothing. Visitors whose attire does not meet visiting room policy may be referred for an exchange of clothing. Visitor Centers provide: Visitor Centers provide: Shirts Shirts Pants Pants Dresses Dresses Skirts Skirts We do not provide undergarments or shoes for health and safety reasons

5. Visiting Information Visitor Centers provide information on visiting regulations and processes to facilitate visiting. Staff will provide clarity for visitors who may have difficulty understanding regulations or processes Visitor Centers provide information on visiting regulations and processes to facilitate visiting. Staff will provide clarity for visitors who may have difficulty understanding regulations or processes 6. Referrals Visitor Centers also provide referrals to other agencies and services to help reduce and/or eliminate personal crisis situations that include, but are not limited to, car trouble, illness, and emergency overnight housing Visitor Centers also provide referrals to other agencies and services to help reduce and/or eliminate personal crisis situations that include, but are not limited to, car trouble, illness, and emergency overnight housing