In-person visiting will be limited to ensure COVID-19 precautions and safety
As of today, there are 14 active cases in the state’s 35 prisons, with 24 prisons reporting zero cases
Sacramento.— After suspending in-person visiting statewide in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has worked closely with our health care partners to begin a phased reopening that will allow limited in-person visitation beginning April 10, 2021.
“CDCR recognizes the value of visitation for the incarcerated population and the importance of maintaining family and community ties, which is why we have worked hard to be able to bring it back as quickly and as safely as possible,” said CDCR Secretary Kathleen Allison. “We also continue to work to reopen all rehabilitative programs so that the incarcerated population may take advantage of the life-changing opportunities available.”
There will be significant changes to visiting operations, including new protocols such as temperature and symptom screenings, COVID-19 testing, physical distancing, face coverings, limiting the number of visitors at a given time, length of time allowed for each visit, and other expectations for visitors. CDCR will provide more specific details for visitors, as well as steps to schedule in-person visits, in the next few days. Video visitation, which has been ongoing at all 35 state prisons since late last year, will continue at institutions and fire camps where feasible. More details will be forthcoming.
Additionally, the Warden and the Chief Executive Officer of each institution will determine whether facilities within institutions are safe to conduct in-person visiting. Institutions will update their web page on the CDCR website to keep visitors informed. The date that an institution resumes in-person visiting will depend upon the number of active patient and staff cases at each institution.
It is important to note that multiple considerations may affect the speed at which institutions and program areas reopen. Institutions will continuously evaluate and monitor positive COVID cases and reinstate precautionary measures, as needed, to protect all of those who work and live in California’s correctional settings.
“This is an important step forward, and we will work with the incarcerated population, families and staff to ensure a smooth transition into this new normal,” added Allison.
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