Corrections Department to resume visitation

Image
  • Corrections Department to resume visitation
Body

OKLAHOMA CITY – The state Corrections Department is set to resume inmate visitation next
weekend, the agency announced Friday.

Visits will be “highly structured to accommodate social distancing,” DOC Communications Director Justin Wolf said. Visiting sessions will be two hours long and offered multiple days a week. More information will soon be available on visitation schedules, Wolf said.

All visitors must abide by the following rules and any other rules posted inside the visitation
room:

  • Remain in their vehicle until it is their time to enter the facility.
  • Wear a facemask provided by the facility while at the institution.
  • Complete health-screening questionnaire and have temperature measured prior to entering the visitation room.
  • Visitors presenting with Covid-19 symptoms will be required to leave facility grounds.
  • At all times maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing.

“Facility personnel will immediately end any session where a visitor is not adhering to these or other posted rules,” Wolf said. “The safety of our inmates and staff is our first priority.”

The facility will ensure visiting rooms and visitor’s restrooms are cleaned and disinfected before each session. Facilities will provide hand sanitizer stations at visitation checkpoints and inside visitor bathrooms.

Visitors are allowed to bring inside the facility only an identification card, car key, and baby care items (if a young child is present). Visitors are not allowed to bring money inside the visitation room. Visitors also are not allowed to use vending machines at this time.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections will cease visitation privileges if the state realizes a significant increase in Covid-19 cases or if the health or safety of staff or inmates is jeopardized.

The DOC canceled all visitation and all volunteer access to facilities on March 13 “to keep staff, inmates, and volunteers safe from the spread of Covid-19.”