General Guidelines

Visiting applications are valid for one year. Prior to an in-person and remote visits, all visitors must re- apply using the attached link Visitor Request and Authorization Form.

All approved in-person visitors will be subject to a health screening for COVID-19.

Hospitals reserve the right to deny visitation based on infection prevention measures not included in these guidelines.

Visitor Process Requirements

All visitors must complete the Visitor Request and Authorization Form and submit it with a copy of photo identification to the Hospital Police Department prior to visiting. You may also submit via PSHTelevisitation@dsh.ca.gov or mailed to 3102 East Highland Ave Patton, CA 92369.

Visitor Identification Requirements

Upon arrival, all approved visitors must check-in with the Visiting Center officer and present the officer with their acceptable form of identification listed below. In addition, the officer will ask the visitor to give his/her name, date of birth, address, telephone number, and relationship to patient. This Information will be kept on file.

The following shall be acceptable forms of identification:

• Valid driver's license with picture
• Valid Department of Motor Vehicles' identification card with picture
• Valid federal passport with picture
• Armed forces identification card with picture
• Identification cards issued by the United States Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service
• Valid Mexican Consulate identification with picture

Approval is expected to take 1 - 2 weeks, based on the number of registration forms received.

Email to inquire status of approval. Once approved, register for your visit via: Visit Request and Scheduling

The visitor will be allowed restricted (no contact visits), pending the California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS) review. Hospital police will still run the CLETS and if criteria is met to have a no contact visit or restrict the visit all together, then the information will be placed on the visitors list and the Hospital Administrator and Executive Director will be notified.

General In-Person Visitor Information

All visits are confirmed via email. DO NOT come for a visit without prior email confirmation of visit.

Day of Visit: We ask that all visitors arrive 30 minutes prior to their visit to ensure the screening process is complete and to ensure a timely visit.

Number of Visitors: No more than two (2) persons may visit any one patient at a time.

Children Visits (limited to Saturday afternoon): No more than three (3) persons may visit any one patient at a time. (This may be one (1) adult and two (2) children or two (2) adults and one (1) child).

Length of Visit: For in-person visits, length of visit will be scheduled for one (1) hour per visit per patient.

Long Distance Travel: Visitors who reside 100 miles or more from DSH - Patton may request extended visits during available appointment times any day of the week (except during children's visits on Saturday afternoon), depending on space availability, and only in keeping with the above schedule. Contact the patient's Social Worker (Special Visitation Request must be competed) to request approval.

Patients' Visitation Rights: Patients have the right to refuse any visit.

Disabled Access: Disabled parking is a premium, very limited and often filled during visitation hours. Visitors are advised to plan on coming extra early and dropping the disabled person off near the West Compound Gate, so that they can use the benches while waiting to go inside for their visit. During the summer, be aware of the warm weather and wear hats, and long sleeves/ protective clothing to avoid excessive exposure to the sun while waiting to visit. Sometimes the area is quite crowded, and people have to stand and wait in the sun.

Visiting With Children

Children cannot be left unsupervised while an adult visits. Failure to comply with this may result in termination of visit.

All children under the age of 18 may only visit a patient with the approval from both a parent/guardian of the child and from the patient's interdisciplinary team. A copy of the child's birth certificate is also required. An approved adult escort must accompany the child throughout the visit.

• Permitted Visiting Days:
• All children under the age of 16 (sixteen) may only visit on Saturday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm provided the above-mentioned approvals are in place.
• Children between the ages of 16 (sixteen) and under 18 (eighteen) may visit any day of the week provided the above-mentioned approvals are in place.
• Physical Contact: Physical contact between patients and children will be permitted only when authorized by the interdisciplinary team and when supervised by staff on a one-on-one ratio (A brief hug upon initiating the visit and a brief hug upon termination of the visit is the only physical contact allowed in an attempt to protect patients, staff, and visitors from Corona Virus (COVID-19)).
• Emancipated Minors: Authorized adult visitors must be over 18 years of age. Those children who are emancipated minors must bring proof (original copy of documentation) from the court in order to visit as an adult. Identification will be required to show proof of age.

Visitor Center Regular Hours (Including Holidays)

Sunday through Friday

• From 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Adult visits only (unless a child visit has received special approval and scheduling).
• Times for scheduled visits: 8:30a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please note that visits are now scheduled for 2 hours, either the AM or PM time slots.
• Patient Count - From 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. there is a pause in visitor processing during the patient count procedure, NO VISITORS WILL BE PROCESSED DURING THIS TIME AND VISITOR PROCESSING WILL RESUME AT 12:30 p.m.
• Visitor processing ends at 2:00 p.m. each day.

Saturdays

• 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Adult visits only
• Patient Count - From 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. there is a pause in visitor processing during the patient count procedure, NO VISITORS WILL BE PROCESSED DURING THIS TIME AND VISITOR PROCESSING WILL RESUME AT 12:30 p.m.
• 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Approved children visits only (with adult escorts).
• Visitor processing ends at 2:00 p.m. each day.

Contraband and Allowed Items for Patients

Any item that constitutes a safety or security concern can be denied or confiscated. The ALLOWABLE PROPERTY/CONTRABAND LIST identifies items that are not allowed and the reason why they are not allowed. It also lists items that can be allowed under limited conditions and what those conditions are.

This is especially important as it is a misdemeanor crime (Welfare and Institutions code 4139) to deliver to a patient in a State Hospital any of the following items:

• A cellular telephone or other wireless communication device, or any component thereof, including, but not limited to, a subscriber identity card (SIM card) or memory storage device.
• Tobacco products.

Before you bring any items to a patient, make sure to review the list linked above and make sure you are not violating hospital policy. Any visitor found bringing contraband into the facility may have their authorization to visit withdrawn for a minimum of 30 days.

Contraband Items

The following items, are not allowed to be brought into the Visitor Center may include but are not limited to:

• food items
• alcoholic beverages
• drugs/medications
• cigarettes or tobacco products
• poisons
• glue
• firearms or any weapons
• cameras or recording devices
• pets (except for service animals)
• radios or televisions
• musical instruments
• diaper bags or strollers
• pens or pencils
• papers, books, written material, photos
• legal documents

Allowed Items while Visiting

When visitors have children with them, they are permitted to the take the following items into the visiting room:

• one (1) baby carrier/car seat
• one (1) baby blanket
• three (3) diapers
• three (3) clear plastic bottles
• one (1) container of baby wipes
• one (1) toy (noiseless and non-stuffed)

FOOD & DRINK UPDATE

No outside food is allowed during visits. Vending machines are available and are limited to drinks and snacks.

• Each visitor is allowed to bring in no more than $15.00 in change for vending machine purchasing. No debit card/electronic payment will be permitted.

Funds lost when using the vending machine may be refunded by the Trust Office. Refund slips are available from Visiting Center staff.

• Visitors are not permitted to give patients any money at any time during the visit.
• Patients are not allowed to handle any money at any time during the visit.
• Patients are not to operate the vending machines at any time.
• No exceptions to the above rules. Violation of these rules could lead to discontinuation of visit.
• Water will be provided upon request.

No Contact Visits

The “NO CONTACT” area may only be utilized for visits with patients who have been identified, through credible documentation, to have done the following:

• Used, sold, possessed, or transported tobacco, illegal drug, drug paraphernalia, or other contraband.
• Tested positive for narcotics or illicit drugs within the past 90 days or where there have been clinical indications of the patient being under the influence and a drug screen has been refused by the patient.
• Currently presents a physical risk to visitors or may compromise the safety and security of this facility.
• The “NO CONTACT” visiting will be considered prior to a formal denial of visitation rights.

Proper Attire

Visitors must be fully clothed and appropriately dressed and groomed.

The following items are prohibited:

• No dark brown or khaki clothing that resembles patient's clothes.
• No tank tops, halter-tops, low cut tops, bare midriff, or revealing tops.
• No short shorts - no higher than 2 inches above the knee (Bermuda shorts acceptable)
• No short skirts or dresses (no higher than 2 inches above the knee)
• No slits in garments that expose more than the knee.
• No see through clothing or skintight (all spandex type shorts or pants must be covered with a shirt or blouse down to the middle of the thigh)
• No headgear (hat, scarves, etc.)
• No clothing with obscene or disparaging language or pictures
• No clothing resembling any notorious group.
• No uniforms of any type (except active military), no military fatigues
• No wigs or hairpieces shall be allowed without approval of the Watch Sergeant (approval shall be based on need, e.g., baldness)
• No sunglasses unless prescription sunglasses
• No neckwear (scarves, ties, necklaces, etc.)
• No heavy metal jewelry and no sharp edges. Visitors should wear a minimal amount of jewelry (e.g., wedding bands, , one bracelet, and watch)
• No "wire type" underwire bras (plastic stay version are allowed)

General Guidelines for Remote Visitation

Visit Request and Scheduling ((NOTE: best viewed using Chrome)

Guidelines for Remote visits with a patient:

• You will be required to present your ID at the beginning of the web conference. The information provided will need to match what has been submitted, so please fill out the form with your legal name as it appears on your state-issued ID.
• You will be required to present your ID at the beginning of the web conference. The information provided will need to match what has been submitted, so please fill out the form with your legal name as it appears on your state-issued ID.
• Remote visits with minors will take place on Fridays only.
• We recommend visitors remain logged in while the meeting is loading.

Technology Requirements to Participate in a WebEx Meeting

Computer:

• Headphones with microphone (preferred)
• Telephone
• Webcam
• Stable internet connection 
• Computer WebEx Tutorial

Mobile Device:

• WebEx App
• Stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
• Headphones with microphone (preferred)
• Front facing camera
• Computer WebEx Tutorial

Additional information:

• All applications for visitors for remote visits will be processed by Department of Police Services in the manner like in-person visiting. If the visitor is restricted from grounds or has an active warrant, the remote visit will be denied.
• Once approved and the visit is scheduled, the visitor will receive a confirmation email with remote visit day, time, and link to the remote visit.
• Approved visitors will have their identity verified at the beginning of the remote visit. Only previously approved visitors can participate I the remote visit and be visible on the screen. No restricted visitors will be allowed to participate. The visitation may be terminated for failure to comply.
• During the visit, the patient and the visitor will be expected to adhere to the same rules and regulations as in-person visits. This includes but is not limited to attire, appropriate behavior, and the showing of photographs. Any misconduct may result in termination of the visit.
• Criminal activity observed during the visit will be processed in accordance with applicable laws.

Patient Trust Office

Visitors wanting to leave funds for a patient can either mail checks/money orders to the Trust Office or visit the Accounting Office in the Administration Building. Accounting Office is open Monday-Friday 0800-1630, closed holidays, and weekends. . Visiting Center staff are prohibited from accepting funds for deposit to patients account or for delivery to the Trust Office.

Please fully complete the checks/money orders and make payable to: Patton State Hospital for (insert patient's name). If mailing, please address envelope:

Department of State Hospitals - Patton
Attention: Trust Office
3102 East Highland Avenue
Patton, California 92369

If wanting to use a debit/credit card, please visit https://accesscorrections.com or call (636) 888-7004 (Access Corrections). Must have patient 7-digit patient identification number with the number "8" in front of the identification number.