Visiting

With the exception of minor children, all visitors are required to have proper identification. Acceptable forms of identification are limited to:

• A valid DMV or other State-issued Driver’s License or Identification Card with picture
• A valid United States Armed Forces identification card with picture
• A valid Passport with picture 
• Foreign consulate picture identification cards (e.g., Matricula Consular de alta Seguridad (MCAS) issued by the Mexican Consulate)
• Identification card issued by the United States Department of Justice or the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services with picture (includes Permanent Resident Cards – formerly known as Alien Registration or “Green” Card).

Check cashing cards, temporary licenses and foreign licenses are not acceptable as proper identification.

The following visit regulations must be observed:

• Nothing is to be brought into the facility except ID and car keys.  One blanket, one diaper, and one bottle can be brought in for a baby.  The following items are specifically prohibited: purses or bags; cameras, cell phones, and other wireless communication devices; food or beverages; pets; firearms, knives, or other weapons; drugs or alcohol; and cigarettes.  If a visitor is found to have a cell phone in their possession, the visit will be immediately terminated and they will be banned from visiting for ninety (90) days.  A second violation may result in criminal prosecution (Penal Code §4575) and permanent expulsion.
• No sitting on the visiting table
• No undressing or exposing body parts  
• No visiting with other inmates
• No loud talking or any disruptive behavior
• Hang up the phone and exit the visiting area when notified
• Abide by the visitor dress code (see below)

Visitors who do not follow the visiting rules or who are rude, disruptive or disrespectful to staff may be subject to having their visit denied, terminated, or have their name permanently removed from an inmate's visiting list.  Any visitor under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to visit and will be subject to arrest.

Visitor dress rules apply equally to male and female visitors.  Visitors shall remain fully clothed when visiting.   Appropriate attire includes undergarments; a dress or blouse/shirt with skirt/pants or shorts; and shoes or sandals.

Visitors shall adhere to the following dress standards:

• Shoes or sandals shall be worn at all times.  Shower shoes and bedroom slippers will not be allowed.
• Buttons, snaps, and zippers shall remain fastened.
• Undergarments shall be worn beneath translucent clothing, under all circumstances.
• All shorts, skirts, and dresses, including slits in the garment, shall not expose more than three (3) inches above the knee when standing.  This applies to all visitors regardless of age.

Prohibited Attire - clothing that:

• Exposes the breast/chest area, genitals or buttocks.  Anyone wearing clothing considered to be too revealing will not be allowed to visit.  This includes swimsuits, tank tops, halter tops, strapless or “spaghetti” strap tops, loose or oversized sleeveless tops, and low necklines.
• By design, or by the manner in which it is worn, allows the anatomical detail of body parts to be clearly viewed (e.g., Spandex, Lycra, clothes with holes in inappropriate places, or excessively tight clothing).
• Are sheer or transparent (including see-through lace and mesh materials).
• Exposes the midriff area.
• Attire or accessories displaying obscene/offensive language, drawings, or objects.
• Promotes violence, hate, drug use, sex acts or gangs.  Includes any attire or accessories displaying any type of gang insignia, gang artwork, or any affiliation with gangs.
• Any other clothing, garment, or accessory that when compared to the expressly specified standards above would warrant disapproval. 

Hospitalized inmates will not be allowed to have personal visits, except as approved by a Watch Commander. Special visits may be arranged for those inmates who experience hospital stays in excess of thirty (30) days duration or for those having life-threatening or critical injuries or illnesses. Visits are restricted to immediate family members.  

Pregnant inmates may request to have a support person present during childbirth. The approval for the support person will rest with the Watch Commander and will be granted on a case-by-case review. After giving birth, the appointed guardian of the infant and/or family members may be permitted to visit the inmate in the hospital with the approval of the Watch Commander.

If the inmate is authorized to receive visitors, visiting will be in accordance with both the hospital's and the Jail's visiting policies and will be monitored by the assigned officer. 

The following rules apply to visits occurring in hospitals:

• All visits must conform to the hospital’s regular visiting hours and policies.
• Only two visitors will be allowed in at a time.
• Children under age 12 are not allowed to visit patients unless special arrangements are made with hospital staff.
• The privacy curtains surrounding the hospital bed shall remain open. 
• There shall not be an exchange of any items. Absolutely no food or clothing may be brought in for the inmate (e.g., no home-cooked meals, fast foods, canned sodas, etc.). 
• There shall be no physical contact between the inmate and their visitor(s) at any time.
• Visitors are not permitted to take photographs unless authorized by the Watch Commander.

Officers retain the discretion to limit or deny visits to guarded patients, as space and activity in the room allows. 

News media representatives have no greater right of access to detention facilities or inmates than any other member of the public. A visit by news media personnel shall be considered a social visit, not a professional visit. The Public Information Officer does not process requests for interviews.

Media representatives seeking an inmate interview should proceed as described below:

• Get on the inmate’s personal visitation list. Any visit will be counted as a personal visit for the inmate. There are no special "professional" visits for the media. If you do visit an inmate, you will not be allowed to use any audio or video recording equipment. You may only take notes
• You can have the inmate call you (media) on the phone. This is a collect call. You may record that conversation, but you need to advise the inmate that the call is being recorded.
• Requests to gain contact with the inmate or get on the inmate's visiting list will need to be done by mail. Personal messages will not be delivered and mail dropped off at the jail will not be hand delivered.
• Send via U.S. Mail to:
  Fresno County Jail
  Attn: Inmate's name
  JID # and/or Booking #
  (This can be obtained from the FSO website by use of the inmate locator)
  P.O. Box 872
  Fresno, CA 93712