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1. When are the visitation days and times?

The Rensselaer County Correctional Facility allows visitation seven days a week during the following time periods:

• 6 pm to 7 pm
  (All inmates except those assigned to the Restricted Housing Unit)
• 7:45 pm to 8:45 pm
  (All inmates except those assigned to the Restricted Housing Unit)
• 9:30 pm to 10:30 pm
  (All Inmates including those assigned to the Restricted Housing Unit)

2. How do I schedule a visit?

It is not necessary to schedule a visit, the facility honors walk up visits on a “first-come, first-serve” basis provided there is room.

3. How many visits am I allowed?

Each inmate is allowed two visits per week. The visitation week runs from Monday through Sunday. Two visitors are allowed to see the inmate at each visit. One child younger than 4 years of age will not be counted as a visitor if seated on the lap of the adult during the visit.

4. Who can visit an inmate?

Anyone the inmate wishes to see (barring there are no orders of protection). If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by your parent/legal guardian or provide written and notarized permission from your parent/legal guardian and be accompanied by an adult.

The written permission must be able to be verified before you will be allowed to visit.

Rensselaer County Correctional Facility Minor Visitation Consent Form (PDF)

5. How do I obtain contact visitation privileges with an inmate?

You must provide the Visitation Control Officer with a government issued photo identification card.  The Officer will enter your information into the inmates’ visitor log as a permanent visitation record.

6. What property, packages, accounts, and deposits are allowable for inmates?

View the Inmate Allowable Property / Packages / Accounts / Deposits page for more information.

7. What if I come to visit an inmate who has just arrived?

In Accordance with New York State Commission of Correction Minimum Standard 7008.4 each new Inmate will be afforded the opportunity to receive an initial secured visit within 24 hours of their arrival at facility. The visit will occur in the secured area of the visitation room during normal visitation hours. Inmates will not be allowed contact visitation until they have been medically cleared and classified. The purpose of the visit is to advise family, friends of the situation, arrange bail, arrange counsel or care of any other pertinent matters. The length of the visit shall be at the sole reasonable discretion of Visitation Control Staff so as to ensure the opportunity be afforded to all new arrivals. The same standards of Identification and registration are required to receive an initial visit. The initial visit is not considered or counted against an inmates allowable two scheduled weekly visits.

Special Notes

• All visitors will be required to be screened by electronic screening devices prior to entering the visitation area. Additionally a Trained K-9 And Handling Officer will be used for the purpose of control and contraband detection in the visitation area.
• Their will be no splitting of visits to accommodate additional visitors.
• Once a visitor leaves the visitation area for any reason (bathroom, phone call etc.), they will not be permitted to re-enter the area.
• The facility reserves the right to refuse to admit any visitor to the facility who is not properly attired. Refer to item number 18 of the Visitation Rules and Regulation concerning visitor dress code.
• The facility will only accept valid and verifiable emergency phone calls, such as a medical emergency or death in the family).
• Do not call the facility to leave personal messages.

8. What rules and regulations am I expected to follow during a contact visit?

While in the facility for contact visitation, you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with reasonable standards of public decency.  Review the inmate visitor information guide. You must comply with all staff orders and directions while on facility grounds.