CO DOC - Bent County Correctional Facility (BCCF) - CoreCivic Visitation Center

Bent County Correctional Facility - Visitation

VISITING DAYS AND HOURS

Visiting days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:50 pm. Initial processing begins at 9:30 am. Holidays are no exceptions.

Visitors may stay as long as they wish during the visiting hours. Visitors will not be allowed back into the facility once they leave. In the event of over-crowding, visitation staff may first ask for volunteers to leave and then will begin terminating visitors in the order processed into the visiting room, unless the visitor has traveled more than 400 miles or on the amount of space needed.

Visitors arriving on or after 3:00 p.m. will not be allowed to visit that day. Processing ceases from 10:30 a.m. until approximately 11:45 a.m. each visiting day for inmate count procedures.

Visitors may visit during the times and days referenced above. In the event that we have more visitors than space allows, visits may be cut short on a "first-in, first-out" basis. Exceptions may be made for visitors from out-of-state

Visiting Application must be mailed to:
Attention: Private Prison Monitoring Unit
Colorado Department of Corrections Headquarters
1250 Academy Park Loop
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Questions regarding applying for visitation: 719-226-4929 (PPMU)

Questions regarding visitation rules: 719-456-2610 (BCCF)

Contact the facility operator for answers to questions concerning visitation rules. Phone: 719-456-2610 Address: 11560 County Rd. FF75 Las Animas, CO 81054

The change from coin-operated machines to card-operated machines has been made. Visitors are required to purchase a card ($1.00) from the machine in the front foyer and then may load an amount of money onto the card via the same machine utilizing denominations from $1.00 to $20.00. The card then acts similar to a gift card in the vending machines.

SEGREGATION POPULATION: All visits for segregated inmates will be arranged exclusively through the office of the Chief of Security. These visits will be non-contact, one-hour visits.

Entering a Facility for Visitation
Visiting a correctional facility can feel intimidating, especially for the first-time visitor.
We have our own specific processes and rules, strict security measures, uniformed staff and words and terminology you may not be familiar with. Ultimately, those security features are in place to protect you and your loved one although we understand the potential for concern or confusion.
Our goal is for visitors to be comfortable, even impressed, by our facility environment during your visit. We simply ask that you help us maintain safety and security by following our important guidelines.
Contraband and Personal Items
When entering one of our facilities, typically, visitors are only permitted to bring in an ID and a small amount of cash ($10 or less) or a vending card for use at the facility’s vending machines during visitation. Please check with the facility prior to visitation for specific information on the use of vending cards or cash.
Proper identification must be a valid driver’s license or a government-issued ID. Some facilities require a birth certificate to be presented for children attending visitation, so check the requirement of the specific facility you are visiting.
For security reasons, visitors will not be allowed to take any personal items or gifts into the facility – including cell phones, wallets, purses, food, gifts, magazines or books.
Attempting to pass any of these unapproved items through security, even if accidentally, is illegal. Please leave all personal items in your vehicle. Some facilities offer lockers in the facility lobby for storing these items.
Additionally, attempting to introduce illegal contraband, such as cigarettes, drugs and alcohol, weapons and cell phones, to a facility inmate is considered a security threat and will result in immediate legal action.
While we understand that some of these rules may be inconvenient or difficult for our visitors, it is our responsibility to keep all of our inmates, staff and visitors safe. These strict safety procedures are very important and are just one of the many ways we maintain a safe and secure environment.
Visitation and Inmate Contact
There are different types of visitation, depending on the facility and the inmate’s classification – contact visitation, non-contact visitation and, occasionally, video visitation.
Most of our facilities have both contact and non-contact visitation. Appropriate contact with your loved one – such as hugging – varies. Our staff will help you understand the appropriate contact rules for your time with your loved one.
Typically contact visitation will be held in a large room with tables. Some facilities have a designated visitation room. Others may use educational rooms for visitation.
Noncontact visitation includes the use of individual booths with telephones for speaking with inmates.
Video Visitation
A small number of CoreCivic correctional facilities provide video visitation. Video visitation is especially useful for those inmates incarcerated in another state.
To participate in a video visitation session, the inmate must schedule a specific visitation time. CoreCivic will partner with a local church or other organization to provide the video visitation equipment and session for the visitor.
For specific information on video visitation, please contact the facility directly.
Preparing for Visitation

At CoreCivic, our dedicated team of corrections professionals goes to prison or jail every day. Uniforms, metal detectors, security measures, policies and procedures, closed doors and locked gates – it’s all second nature to us.
But if you’re not accustomed to correctional facility life, you may have some questions or concerns, maybe even nervousness, about what to expect if you are planning a visit.
Being well prepared for your visit to one of our correctional facilities can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that sometimes accompanies visitation.
From what to wear to what to leave behind, here are a few tips and instructions to help you prepare for your upcoming facility visit.
Visitation List and Approval
During the inmate orientation process, inmates will mail a visitation application form to the friends and family members who want to visit.
It is the inmate’s responsibility to mail the applications. Individuals who receive the application must complete the form and mail it back to the specific CoreCivic facility to initiate the approval process. All facility visitors must be approved through a background check prior to visiting an inmate.
Once the background checks are completed, the inmate is responsible for informing friends and family members that they are approved for visitation. Please ensure that, as a visitor, you have been approved before planning your visit.
Some CoreCivic facilities require that all visitations be scheduled in advance of the visitation appointment. Or there may be special requirements if an individual is in restricted housing. You may wish to contact the facility directly if you are unsure.
An inmate can change or update their list over time. If an inmate is transferred to another correctional facility, please check with the facility before visiting to ensure all records were transferred at the time of the move.
Passing Security
Every visitor who enters our correctional facilities must pass through our security measures before proceeding to a visitation area.
Visitors will be screened through a metal detector, much like what you would experience in an airport. However, our metal detector settings are much more sensitive than typical metal detectors. When preparing for your visit, please be sure to consider any metal on your clothing, including underwear and shoes.
Visitation Dress Code
Understandably, many of our visitors do not realize that what they are wearing can impact their ability to visit with their loved one.
Every facility has a strict dress code for visitors, and each facility’s dress code may vary, sometimes depending on the specific requirements of our government partner. Please review the specific dress code requirements for the facility you are visiting prior to your visit.
A few general guidelines that apply at every facility include:
Skirts and shorts must be knee-length or longer.
Only closed-toe shoes are permitted. No sandals or flip-flops.
No revealing or low cut shirts. No tank tops or halter tops.
No see-through or extremely tight clothing.
No strapless dresses. No swimsuits.
No gang or obscene messages or designs.
No hats or hoodies on shirts
No sunglasses or excessive jewelry.
Underwear must be worn at all times, but not visible.
Everyone must clear the metal detector.
Visiting from Out of State
If you must travel a great distance to visit your loved one, you want your limited visitation time to go smoothly. To help ensure you are prepared, we’ve assembled our most important advice for a successful visit.
Inmate Visitation Checklist
Before arriving at a correctional facility, think through the following checklist to ensure that you are prepared for visitation.
___ I am on my inmate’s approved visitation list.
___ I have returned my paperwork and passed the visitation background check.
___ I have my driver’s license or government ID.
___ I have planned my visit during the facility’s visitation hours.
___ I have packed facility dress code approved clothes and shoes.
___ I will clear the metal detector.
___ I have ensured that my car, purse and pockets are clear of any inappropriate items before entering the facility grounds.
___ I have checked to see if there are special visitation requirements, such as a scheduled appointment.

General Information and Approval Process

The number of visitors an offender may receive and the length of visits may be limited only by the facility's schedule, space, and personnel constraints. The intended visitor must complete a Visitor Application and return the completed, signed form to the facility where the offender is housed. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
Minors must be listed on the application of the legal guardian or immediate family member that will accompany the minor on the visit. Minor children must be named on the Visitor Application, but will not be counted toward the twelve (12) approved visitors.

Only one (1) adult name per application will be permitted.
The Administrative Head is the assigned authority to approve, deny, or delete names of visitors on visiting lists. An offender's visiting list shall be subject to the following restrictions:

• No person will be allowed to socially visit more than one (1) offender unless the person is a member of the immediate family of each offender being visited.
• Approval for a person to change from the visiting list of one offender to another offender will only be considered if the visitor applicant has been placed on inactive status with the original party for a period of at least one (1) year.
• Any person representing any potential health hazards to offenders, staff or other visitors will not be approved for visits, until the health hazard is cured (i.e., communicable disease). Staff medical practitioners will render final decisions in such matters.
• Any other person(s) who have become acquainted with an offender in any manner during the course of the offender's incarceration WILL NOT be allowed to visit.
• When an offender transfers to another public facility the approved visitors list will be honored at the new facility.
• Persons, including immediate family members, who are on active parole, probation or other forms of conditional release, e.g., community programs, furloughs from custody, etc., or who have a felony record within the past three (3) years, will not ordinarily be approved for visits.
• Any victim of the offender who wishes to visit the offender must submit such request in writing to the Administrative Head seeking authorization to visit. The Administrative Head will respond to the victim indicating the decision within thirty (30) days from the receipt of such letter.
• If it is determined that an individual is likely to have a detrimental effect on the offender, or present a security threat, he/she will not be approved for visits.
• All visitors under age 18 must be listed on the Visitor Application (DC Form 300-01A) and be accompanied by at least one adult who is identified as legal guardian or immediate family member authorized to accompany those specific minors listed on their application. Exceptions will be made for emancipated minors.
• The approved visitor application and subsequent changes will be entered into the Department of Corrections Information System (DCIS) visiting computer system for system-wide utilization and access during the course of the offender's incarceration.
• An approval to visit an offender may be revoked when information which would have resulted in denial of visits becomes known after an approval to visit has been granted. Revocation and/or suspension of visits may be ordered by the Administrative Head for any activity or event occurring subsequent to the approval for visits (See Section IV.L.). All revocations and/or suspensions with beginning and ending dates will be entered into the DCIS visiting computer system.
• An official valid document with the visitor's photograph secured thereupon (driver's license, student identification card, etc.) is necessary to establish visitor identification.
• An individual who is listed on the approved visitor list, but has never visited that person for one (1) year will be placed on inactive visitor status in the DCIS visiting computer system. Information Systems staff will automatically review visitor status quarterly. The visitor must re-apply and have a background clearance completed prior to being reactivated as a visitor.

Visiting Conduct and Dress

Offenders and their visitors are accountable to conduct themselves in such a manner as to not bring suspicion nor discredit upon themselves or be disruptive or offend the sensibilities of other visitors. Visitors and offenders are required to obey all staff instructions and to comply with all Administrative Regulations.
Contact
A short embrace and appropriate closed mouth kiss may be permitted at the beginning and at the end of each visit. During visits, offenders may hold hands with their visitor. Visiting conditions will permit informal communication and reasonable levels of physical contact between offender and visitors. In instances of substantiated security risks, the Administrative Head may establish non-contact visiting areas. Body contacts between offenders and visitors other than these will not be permitted.
Children and Minors
It is the responsibility of visitors to supervise and maintain control over their minor children. Any physical discipline of such minor children deemed necessary cannot occur on correctional facility property. If a minor becomes disruptive during a visit and is not controlled by verbal instruction from the supervising visitor, the visit will be terminated. Breast-feeding of infants is only allowed in the designated area noted in the facility Operational Memorandum.
Clothing Standards

• Visitors are not to wear any garment which exposes cleavage, back, stomach, midriff, and/or underarm.
• The only jewelry or adornment visitors will be permitted to wear into the visiting area is a wedding ring set, one religious necklace pendant, and medical alert badges. Medicine bags are not allowed. Dermal jewelry implants that cannot be removed by the visitor will be allowed.
• No controversial/objectionable gang, obscene, drug and alcohol designs, messages or profanity on clothing.
• Hair extensions and/or wigs will be permitted but are subject to search in a respectful and appropriate manner. Hair extensions which are attached to the hair with a clip or comb will not be allowed. Only hair accessories which are soft in nature will be permitted to be worn inside the visiting area.
• No top or bottom clothing which is solid green or solid orange.
• Shoes are required. Infants are not required to wear shoes until such time as they can walk. Infants and toddlers who are able to walk must wear shoes at all times during the visit. Minors are allowed to wear shoes that display lights.
• Appropriate undergarments are required, and will not be visible.
• Clothing which is sheer or transparent will only be permitted if non-transparent articles are worn beneath and no undergarments (bra or underwear) are visible. Clothing that contains holes and/or rips will not be permitted.
• Outer garments worn on the bottom half of the body must be no shorter than the knee while standing.
• Any clothing worn on the top half of the body must have sleeves and not expose the cleavage line at any time while standing, sitting and/or bending down.<
• Trousers will be worn in the manner intended (no sagging).
• Wrap-around clothing will not be allowed.
• Visitors are not to wear hats into the visiting area, except for religious hats or headgear. Gloves, scarves, or outer garments, such as topcoats, raincoats, jackets, and similar inclement weather attire will not be permitted within the visiting area. No hooded garments will be allowed in the visiting area.
• If a pull over, zipper, or button up sweater is worn, it shall be worn at all times inside the visiting area. A garment is required to be worn underneath the sweater within the guidelines of this policy
• Leggings and jeggings may only be worn under outer garments that must be no shorter than the knee while standing.

In facilities where restrooms are provided within the visiting area, the use of restrooms will be established by the facility Administrative Head and posted for visitor's information. Times will be posted as well as reflected in the facility Operational Memorandum.
Other than items from available vending machines, visitors shall not exchange any object nor article with an offender. Only those items approved by facility Operational Memoranda will be allowed into the visiting area.
The DOC will assume no responsibility for items lost, stolen or left in or around the visiting area or on DOC grounds. If an offender is found to be in possession of or use of contraband, either during or following a visit, it will be assumed that the contraband was introduced by the visitor(s) and the contraband will become reasonable suspicion for revocation or suspension of visiting privileges for that visitor(s).
Violations
Sanctions that will be Imposed for Violations
Revocation/Termination of visits
Ninety (90) days of non-contact visits
ninety (90) days of suspended visits
any combination of non-contact and suspended visits
For subsequent visiting violations an automatic one (1) year visiting suspension will be imposed.
Major visiting violations that jeopardize the security of the facility may result in permanent suspension of visiting privileges.
Any visitor whose visiting privileges have been revoked or suspended for one (1) year or permanently may request, in writing, periodic reconsideration, at six (6) month intervals. Requests are to be sent to the Administrative Head who rendered the decision.
Suspension and/or revocation from visiting privileges from one facility shall automatically include all other DOC facilities.
Possession and/or use of illegal drugs constitutes a serious threat to the security of all correctional facilities or offices, requiring that all efforts be employed to preclude entry and/or use of illegal drugs within a correctional facility or DOC office. Accordingly, upon verified possession or use of illegal drugs or participation in drug-related activities, to include refusals of drug screening procedures, forfeiture of the offender's social visiting privileges shall, at a minimum, be imposed as follows:
First conviction: Six (6) months suspension followed by three (3) months non-contact visiting, if available.
Second conviction: Twelve (12) months suspension followed by six (6) months of non-contact visiting.
Third conviction: Permanent suspension.
Forfeiture of social visiting privileges under these conditions will be ordered by the Administrative Head and will include the removal from visiting lists of all social visitors.
Verified possession will be by accepted testing procedures such as Narkit field testing and/or urinalysis screening.
Denial of Visitation
If a visit is denied or terminated for cause, the visitor shall be precluded from further or future visiting until subsequent determinations are made by the Administrative Head.
Reasons for a visit being denied, terminated for cause, suspended or revoked, or for any other reasonable cause include, but are not limited to:

• Offender refuses the visit
• The visitor and/or offender appear to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• The visitor and/or offender refuses to submit to required entry procedures, including failure to meet dress requirements, produce a valid I.D., or refusal of searches
• The visitor and/or offender are in possession of contraband, or the visitor is introducing any contraband, including weapons, explosives, escape devices, illicit narcotics/drugs, paraphernalia or intoxicants
• A violation of the Administrative Regulation, staff directives and/or other relevant rules occurs, or repetitive minor violations occur requiring cautions and/or warnings by
• Either the offender or visitor creates a disturbance, including failure to control minor children, during the visit
• The offender and/or visitor becomes involved in body contacts (other than hand holding or holding a young child) or engages in sexual conduct;
• The visitor engages in activity which appears intent upon aiding in the escape or attempt to escape from custody of any offender
• The offender or visitor engages in any behavior, action, circumstance which is deemed by the staff assigned to supervise visits as to risk the safety and/or good order of the facility;
• Any attempt to exchange with or give an offender any item other than that acquired through available vending machines during the visit
• The offender or visitor fails to promptly obey staff instruction;
• The offender or visitor directs verbally abusive language about or to staff
• The offender or visitor attempts to damage or damages State property;
• The visitor attempts to smuggle any item into or out of the facility. Such behavior need not have occurred in connection with a visit or in a visiting area, e.g., a visitor who leaves contraband in another area on, adjacent to, being used by, or associated with facility property or operations, for the offender to pick up
• A visitor has incurred a pending felony charge or has been released from supervision for a felony within the past three (3) years.
• Failure to visit for a one (1) year period.

A visitor who has been denied, terminated, suspended or revoked from visiting shall be advised of the reasons for such action without revealing any confidential information and the visitor may provide, in writing, any information deemed pertinent for the Administrative Head's consideration during the review process.
Visitor Entry, Searches, and Procedures
Visitors are to be required to present a valid picture identification prior to their admission for visiting. Acceptable identification would include:
Driver's License with picture
State identification card with picture
Passport
Military identification
Official or picture identification card need not be required for visitors under age 18 unless the visitor is an emancipated minor.
At facilities housing medium or higher custody offenders, all visitors will be required to have the back of their right hand stamped with an ultra-violet marker before entry into the facility, by the staff person authorizing entry. The marker stamped on the back of the right hand will be read by a "black light" to establish positive identification prior to authorizing the visitor's departure from the facility. Visiting rules prohibit the resumption of the visit after leaving the facility.
All visitors are required to register upon entry into the facility by completing DC Form 300-01B, Consent to Search Authorization which specifies the circumstances under which visitors may be searched. Visitors shall complete this form each time they enter a facility or office.
It shall be the responsibility of each visitor to notify DOC of any personal changes, verbally at the visiting center, or by completing DC Form 300-01C, Visiting Update as necessary, at each subsequent visit.
Information requested and/or submission of false information shall result in denial/revocation of visits.
All persons coming onto the grounds of a DOC facility, their vehicles, and articles of property in their possession are subject to inspection/search consistent with the security needs of the facility. In the event a visitor refuses to submit to any entrance or visiting procedure, that person will be denied visits and shall be required to leave DOC facility/property immediately.
All items of contraband found on a visitor during a search will be immediately seized.
No visitor shall be strip searched. If reasonable suspicion exists that the visitor is concealing contraband, local law enforcement officers or the IG Investigators are to be summoned.
Visitor personal items authorized by facility Operational Memoranda to enter the facility must be carefully inspected for contraband.
Except at minimum security facilities, as described by or when restricted by facility Implementation/Adjustment forms, no food may be brought into a visiting area with the exception of baby food. Baby food containers entering the visiting area must be factory sealed. No open food containers or food without containers will be permitted. Two (2) baby bottles containing food, water, milk or juice may be taken into the visiting area for each baby. Diaper bags may be taken into the visiting area with two (2) clean diapers, two (2) baby toys which can be easily checked for contraband, and one (1) change of clothes. The diaper bag must be left under staff supervision.
Visiting area vending machines are for use by visitors to obtain snack food items and beverages while visiting. Staff supervising visits are not responsible for the vending machines. Problems encountered in using the machines must be handled directly with the vendor. Complaint and refund applications will be provided by the visiting staff. Visitors will be allowed to retain excess food items or drink and take these items with them when the visit is concluded.
Visitors' vehicles are subject to inspection or search while on State property, as provided by CRS 17-19-101.
If staff interacting with visitors determine that reasonable suspicion exists regarding the possible introduction and/or possession of contraband, or has an outstanding warrant, the visitor:

• Shall be denied entrance
• May be detained for local law enforcement of jurisdiction or for IG Investigators. Physical force may not be used to detain a visitor unless there is an imminent threat to the life or safety of another person or to the security of the facility
• May be referred to the District Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution
• Shall be suspended or revoked from future visits.

Visitors shall not possess nor carry onto the grounds of a DOC facility any explosive devices, firearms, ammunition, alcoholic beverages, illicit narcotics, objects or materials of any kind which are readily adaptable for use to compromise the safety or security of the facility.
Visitors shall not bring into the visiting area books of any kind, pagers, portable telephones, credit cards, cameras or film of any kind, briefcases, cosmetics, prescription drugs other than the amount needed for the duration of the visit and as noted on the prescription, or other items which require shakedown or search procedures thus causing delay in facilitating visits.
No animals (except service animals) are allowed on state grounds.
Offender social visiting is a privilege.
The only jewelry or adornment offenders will be permitted to wear into the visiting area is a wedding ring, one (1) religious medallion and medical alert badges.
Searches
At a minimum, electronic searches using walk though metal detectors or hand held metal detectors will be used in processing visitors.
Pat searches will be conducted on as many visitors as time permits upon visitor entry. Pat searches will be conducted by staff members of the same gender.
Bandages, dressings, casts, etc., will be searched to the extent possible. Staff conducting the search will exercise care to be sure that they do not aggravate any injury, contaminate any wound or damage the coverings. Staff will use their discretion as to whether or not an adequate search of such items is possible. In questionable cases, a staff medical practitioner may be consulted.
Offender visiting policy recognizes offender social visiting as a privilege to be approved, denied, suspended, or revoked by the administrative head of the facility to which the offender is assigned.
Each administrative head may establish reasonable operational rules based upon individual facility differences. Such rules are to be fashioned toward creating a relaxed and normal environment; visiting facilities are to be conducive to informal communications. Custodial supervision and control are to be commensurate with the security level of the facility but shall be as unobtrusive as practical with minimum intrusion into the visit.
Each facility shall regulate the time schedule, frequency of visits, and the number of persons permitted, per visit, according to its security needs and space limitations. All limitations must be applied uniformly to all offenders of the same security level at each facility.
Within the facility’s implementation/adjustments governing offender visiting, the administrative head will establish criteria for determining whether the visit is to be a contact or a non-contact visit. Other special visiting restrictions may be imposed in consideration of facility scheduling, space availability, security, and/or DOC employee constraints.
When visiting areas are full and overcrowding exists, the visiting DOC employees may limit visits based on the following criteria:
Volunteer basis
First In First Out (FIFO); the first persons checking in and have visited a minimum of two (2) hours may be asked to leave in order to allow other visitors to visit
Frequency of visiting
Exceptions: special visits, visitors who have traveled distances greater than 200 miles one way.
All visits may be terminated any time a facility emergency exists; visitors must leave the facility/grounds promptly.
Visitors will be excluded from the visiting list with authorization from the Administrative Head if they:
Are victim of the sex offender they are attempting to visit, except under circumstances approved in advance and in writing, by the sex offender treatment unit and the administrative head.
Are under the age of 18 visiting an offender who has been convicted at any time of a sexual offense unless approved in advance and in writing, by the sex offender treatment unit and the administrative head.
Are victims of the offender or who are children under the age of 18 years of age, if such visits would be contrary to the rehabilitation of the offender. This is documented by mental health DOC employees or contract workers who will evaluate the offender and make recommendations regarding visits that may be detrimental to the offender’s rehabilitation.