Visitation

If the visitor is under the age of 18, the underage visitor shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or approved adult or show proof of marriage if the minor is the spouse of an inmate.

Inmate visitors under the under the age of 18 who are either emancipated minors or married to an inmate, must have approval from the Officer in Charge prior to the visit.

The accompanying adult of a minor must have copies of documents that prove the child’s relationship to the accompanying adult, such as:
• Birth Certificate
• Adoption Papers
• Court Orders indicating child custody
• Notarized Permission from the parent or legal guardian of the child

In the event that proper documentation (i.e. birth certificate, custody papers etc.) cannot be attained, a notarized document which states the minor’s relationship to the inmate to be visited and to the parent or legal guardian will be accepted. 

In the event that a parent or legal guardian has provided permission for another adult to
accompany a minor child during a visit, the adult must have a notarized document indicating
approval from the parent or legal guardian.

Visits may be denied or terminated to maintain the safety, security, health and good order of the facility and/or the safety and security of the inmates, staff, visitors, contractors or the community.

Violation of visiting rules of conduct by a visitor shall result, at a minimum, in denial or termination of the current visit.

Continuous violations of visiting rules of conduct by a visitor shall result, at a minimum, in denial of future visitation as follows:
a. 2nd violation – one week
b. 3rd violation – two weeks
c. 4th violation – three weeks
d. 5th violation – referral to Facility Security Unit Manager
Note: Length of term may be extended depending on violation.

Visitors may apply for a review of the visitation denial or termination by submitting a written request to the MCSO Facility Security Unit Manager.

These rules do not cover every situation that may arise during the visitation process.
Circumstances occurring outside of these rules should be referred to the Officer in Charge

Jail staff control inmate visiting. The security system may video record visits as a part of normal checks. A visit cannot take place during jail shift change, a health care appointment, a jail program class, or when safety and security are at stake. An inmate may refuse to visit. As a visitor, you must check in and out with jail lobby staff. You must comply with jail rules. If you do not, jail staff will end your current visit and may deny you future ones. 

1. You must not be under any influence of drugs or alcohol. Use of intoxicants is prohibited: visitors who exhibit indication of the use of alcohol, narcotics, or other intoxicants shall not be permitted to visit.
2. You must not take or attempt to bring contraband into the jail. If you do, you are subject to arrest and prosecution under ORS 162.185. Contraband is anything jail staff have not authorized or issued. It includes things like weapons, drugs, cigarettes, lighters, sharp objects, and food.
3. You must not behave in a manner that threatens the safety, security, and good order of the jail.
4. You must not dress or behave in a suggestive or inappropriate manner. Refer to Dress Code for Visitors to MCSO Jail Facilities section below.
5. If you are a social visitor, you may not take pens, matches, lighters, tobacco, sharp objects, pocketknives, or containers into the visiting area. Containers include briefcases, purses, fanny packs, and diaper bags. If you are an official or professional visitor, jail staff must approve and search your containers before the visit. All visitors must empty their pockets if jail staff ask.
6. You cannot leave items in the waiting area while you visit. Lockers are available off the
   lobby to store your personal belongings. The jail is not responsible for items left in lobby
   or in lockers.
7. You must watch and control your children at all times. They must stay seated and not be
   left alone. Children cannot be left unsupervised in the jail lobby or in vehicles parked in
   the parking lot. Children are any child under 18 years of age.
8. You must go directly to and from your assigned visiting area--no loitering. All other areas
   are off limits.
9. You must not tamper with, damage, or mark jail property.
10.  You must end your visit within the allotted time. 
11. You must submit to a search of belongings or a pat-down search if jail staff have
    reasonable suspicion you are trying to take contraband into the visiting area. You may
    refuse a search. Jail staff will not allow you to visit if you refuse.
12. Persons with outstanding restricted warrants shall not be allowed to visit.
13. Visitors shall not possess or carry onto the grounds of any Multnomah County Sheriff's
    Office facility explosive devices, firearms, ammunition, alcoholic beverages, narcotics,
    dangerous drugs, or objects or materials or any kind, which might be used to compromise
    the safety and security of the facility 
14. Once a visitor or an inmate leaves the visiting area, for any reason, the visit shall be
    terminated.
15. Neither a visitor nor an inmate shall be permitted to visit with a person who is not
    specifically authorized for the current visit.
16. Sexual activity, as defined below, is prohibited and will cause the visit to be terminated
    and denial of future visitation. 

All visitors, including official and social visitors, must be fully dressed in appropriate which is not unduly provocative, suggestive, or revealing, and does not resemble attire worn by adults in custody. Clothing standards for inmate visitation include: 

1. Clothing must be worn. Clothing, jewelry, and any other accessories with words/symbols
   affiliated or associated with gangs or hate groups, that are offensive to others, and/or are
   associated with drugs or alcohol are not allowed.
2. The chest area must be covered from the bottom of the armpits to the navel. The groin and buttocks must also be covered, and remain covered even when seated. Exposing these areas by manipulating clothing, and any sexually explicit behavior is strictly prohibited, and will result in termination of the visit and may result in the loss of future visiting privileges.
3. All visitors must successfully pass through a metal detector without causing it to alarm to enter the visiting area, unless you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe to do so. If this is the case, speak to an officer at the desk to discuss an alternative search.
4. Pockets must be emptied before going through the metal detector. Metal buttons, body
   piercings, jewelry, underwire bras, and some shoes may cause the metal detector to alarm. Avoid wearing metal as much as possible, and be prepared to remove and/or secure certain
   items in order to not alarm the metal detector. Facilities have a limited number of lockers
   available for securing personal items.
5. Shoes must be worn at all times, though you may be asked to remove shoes briefly when
   clearing through the metal detector. Closed toed shoes are required for contact visits. Steeltoed footwear is not allowed.
6. Coats, jackets, and sweatshirts must be worn through the metal detector successfully. If any of these cause the detector to alarm they cannot be worn into the visit, and must be
   secured. Clothing underneath must meet the requirements of this policy.
7. All visitors must be readily identifiable; head coverings (such as hats or hoods) are not
   allowed to be worn in the visiting area. Speak to the officer at the desk if you have religious or medical concerns.
8. Clothing, jewelry, or other accessories that present a possible threat or could be used as a weapon are not allowed in the visiting area. 

Clothing must meet the dress code at the time the visitor signs up for the visit.
The visit will be canceled if clothing does not meet the dress code when the visitor begins to clear security screening to go into the visit.

Visitors who argue in a disruptive manner with staff or in a manner that delays visiting access to others will not be allowed to visit and must leave the facility. Visitors who disagree with the application of this policy may ask to speak with an available Supervisor.

Please note:
Visitors who are unable to comply with this policy may explore video visiting options. Please ask an available officer for details.