Staff, volunteers, visitors and inmates will no longer be required to wear masks inside most areas of the prison facilities. Proper PPE is still required in situations where transmission of COVID is still probable or where high risk offenders are housed (i.e. infirmaries and isolation/quarantine areas).
Masks will still be available upon request for any staff, volunteers, visitor or inmate who elects to wear them.
All other visiting protocols remain as outlined below.
As the incidence of COVID 19 decreases across the state, we are anxious to resume the programming and visitation privileges for the offender population within the facilities. We continue to recommend being fully vaccinated and up to date with the booster to best protect yourself from COVID 19. Programming, to include classes and volunteer services, has resumed at 100% capacity beginning Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
In-person visiting will resume at 75% capacity beginning the week of March 14, 2022. Effective March 23, 2022 the department has lifted the mask requirement for all staff, volunteers, visitors, and individuals in our custody. Masks will remain available upon request to anyone who wishes to wear one. Effective March 25, 2022 the department has reinstated the normal physical contact allowances as outlined in Administrative Regulation 300-01 - individuals in our custody will be authorized to holds hands with visitors and may have a brief hug and appropriate closed mouth kiss at the beginning and end of each visit.
These restrictions will be re-evaluated weekly and will be adjusted according to a number of variables based on the incidence of COVID-19 within the community and in compliance with the CDC and CDPHE.
In-person visiting is scheduled to resume starting the week of March 14, 2022. Visiting guidelines/requirements will be as follows:
● Visiting rooms can operate at up to 75% capacity.
● Inmates will be screened prior to visit. Inmates with symptoms or who refuse screening will have their visit(s) that day canceled.
● Vaccination is no longer required for visitation; neither inmates nor visitors are required to be vaccinated to participate in in-person visiting.
● No inmates on isolation or quarantine status may have visits.
● Special Visits can be scheduled.
● Facilities can allow a maximum number of visitors per inmate, following their facility’s IA and space allowances.
● Visitors will complete health screening forms and temperature checks prior to entry. If a visitor checks “yes” on any of the screening questions or if the visitor is running a fever, the visit will be canceled. Legal guardians will complete screening forms for minor children who are unable to complete the form on their own.
● If visiting staff observe any visitor or inmate appearing to display symptoms of illness, they will cancel/end the visit.
● Visitors and inmates may not share food or drink items during visits.
● Physical contact between visitors and inmates is authorized as outlined in Administrative Regulation 300-01 - inmates may hold hands with visitors and a short embrace and brief closed mouth kiss will be permitted at the beginning and end of each visit.
● Staff will continue to ensure appropriate and frequent cleaning and disinfection of the visiting area(s) are completed and documented.
● Hand sanitizing stations will be available at the entry/exit points and throughout visiting area(s).
● East Canon Complex facilities may have multiple facilities having visits on the same day. Visiting transport buses may run at 75% capacity.
Video visitation remains available at all correctional facilities for those individuals who are unable to travel to visit or prefer to visit by video.
We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we continue to navigate these uniquely challenging times.