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.

Personal items are not permitted inside the visiting area. This includes purses, backpacks, cameras, cell phones, food, beverages, cigarettes, weapons, strollers, and car seat/carriers. Visitors will be instructed to lock the items in a vehicle or locker or return at another time without the items. Under no circumstances will staff accept any personal property from a visitor for safekeeping. The Sheriff’s Office is not responsible for lost or stolen items. The only permissible items include:

• The individual’s identification
• Keys
• Sunglasses
• One blanket, diaper, wipes, bottle, and pacifier may be brought in with an infant.
• Toy (one per child). May not be motorized, electrical, or a weapon facsimile (e.g., knife, gun, grenade, etc.).

All visiting areas are equipped with a metal detector, and all visitors must pass through the metal detector prior to entrance into the facility. Processing may require the removal of shoes, jackets, sweaters, suspenders, belts, jewelry, or other accessories for closer inspection or separate processing.

You may be asked to submit to a search of your person or property. You have the right to refuse. However, if you are asked to submit and you refuse, you will be denied visiting for that day.

Visitors are to refrain from loud talking or any disruptive behavior. Additionally, visitors:

• Shall NOT sit on the visiting table.
• Shall NOT undress or expose body parts.
• Shall NOT take photographs. (Cell phones are prohibited.)
• Shall NOT visit with other inmates.
• Shall hang up the phone and exit the visiting area at the conclusion of the visit, or when otherwise instructed to do so.

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 suspended.

Visitation may be denied or terminated if the visitor poses a danger to the security of the facility or there is other good cause, including, but not limited to the following:

• The visitor is not appropriately attired in accordance with the visitor dress code (see below).
• The visitor does not have appropriate identification, or has attempted to falsely identify himself/herself to gain admittance into the facility.
• The visitor appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The visitor refuses to submit to being searched.
• The visitor or inmate violates facility or visiting rules.
• The visitor causes damage, destruction or vandalism to the visitation room or Lobby.
• The visitor fails to supervise and maintain control of any minor accompanying him/her into the facility.
• The visitor disrupts other visits/visitors.
• The visitor has attempted to enter the facility with contraband.

Any person found to have a cell phone in their possession will be banned from visiting for ninety (90) days. A subsequent violation may result in criminal prosecution and permanent expulsion.

Visitors are expected to dress appropriately. Inappropriate attire will be reason to deny a visit.

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.
• Buttons, snaps, and zippers shall remain fastened.
• 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.

• Sleepwear and Bedroom Slippers
• Swimwear
• Clothing that:
• Exposes the breast/chest area, genitals or buttocks. Tops must cover the entire trunk of the body. Anyone wearing clothing considered to be too revealing will not be allowed to visit.  This includes bodybuilding tank tops, halter tops, belly shirts or crop tops, racer or backless tops, strapless or “spaghetti” strap tops, wide armhole 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).
• 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. 

The Sheriff's Office will ensure reasonable accommodations are made available to disabled visitors. Visitors who will require reasonable accommodation are asked to notify the ADA Coordinator (600-8455) or on-duty Watch Commander (600-8440) of their needs prior to visiting.

Medical and disability-related assistive devices needed by visitors are permitted inside the Jail facilities, however, they are subject to inspection and search. Visitors using assistance devices will be provided reasonable accommodation to comply with all security measures. They may be screened using alternative security devices, including use of a handheld metal detector.

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 seven (7) days duration, have given birth, or for those having life-threatening or critical injuries or illnesses. Visits are restricted to immediate family members.  Exceptions are subject to the approval of the Watch Commander.

Pregnant inmates may request to have a support person present during childbirth. The approval for the support person will be made on a case-by-case review by the Compliance Lieutenant (or on-duty Watch Commander in cases of emergency). 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 Booking #
  (This can be obtained from the FSO website by use of the inmate locator)
  P.O. Box 872
  Fresno, CA 93712

Mugshots

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office may only release mugshots of those suspects directly involved in its own investigations.  Although the Sheriff's Office operates the Fresno County Jail and has photos of all inmates, it will not release a mugshot of another law enforcement agency's arrestee without first receiving its consent.