“The mission of Western State Hospital is to promote recovery and well being in partnership with the people we serve.”

Center for Forensic Serivces - Visitor Information

This page provides an update on CFS visiting protocol/policies effective July 5, 2002. The contents of this page will be incorporated into CFS Policy and supercedes and in many cases, which will be evident, replaces current visiting standards, policies and procedures that have been CFS practice.

Please share this information with your visitor(s), so they understand the impending changes. If you need assistance in sending this memo to your visitor(s), ward staff will help you, at WSH expense.

**Visiting Hours**
DAY	HOURS	TYPE of VISITORS	WARD
Friday:	6:00PM to 7:00PM	Visitors with Minors	Level I and above Level B & C
	7:10PM to 9:00PM	Age 18 and above	Same
Saturday:	1:00PM to 2:00PM	Visitors with Minors	Same
	2:10PM to 4:00PM	Age 18 and above Same	Same
Sunday:	1:00PM to 2:00PM	Visitors with Minors	Same
	2:10PM to 4:00PM	Age 18 and above	Same
Monday:	6:00PM to 7:00PM	Visitors with Minors	Same
	7:10PM to 9:00PM	Age 18 and above	Same
(Holiday Visiting will take place using the afternoon schedule.)

INPATIENT VISITING ISSUES:

CI/CR/CC patients who are level three and above may be moved I:I by CFS security cleared staff, within the new CFS Building.
Up to eight sets of visitors, (3+patient) can be scheduled to use the contact visiting area at the same time. Wards are to coordinate scheduling visits to ensure each authorized visit can be accommodated.
It is the visitor(s) responsibility to arrive and leave in a timely manner as scheduled or the visit may be cancelled or cut short. There will be no exceptions made that cross between designated times for minor and adult visiting.
Each treatment team is responsible to assess the appropriateness of any patient they authorize to be in the visiting area when minors are present.
Whenever a patient will be bringing any items back to the ward from the contact visiting area, this must be identified on the visiting form.
CI/CR/CC patients who are level four or five have the choice of visiting either in the contact visiting area or on their home ward.

CONDITIONS FOR ON WARD VISITING:

The treatment team must ensure there is ample staffing and space to accommodate the visit on the ward.
No food or beverages are to be consumed during the visit, nor are minors allowed on the ward. Visitors may bring pre-approved items to give to the patient, which can include non-perishable/factory sealed food items that are to be stored in the patient’s snack locker. Complete descriptions of any exception and any items to be given to the patient must be specifically identified in the comment section and be approved by the ward coordinator and when required by the unit manager.
Visitors may use the interview room or other locations on the ward that does not interfere with the other patient’s day-to-day activities. (Group/TV rooms may not be used for visiting at any time.)
Visitors are not allowed in any patient room, shower area or patient bathrooms, nor may they eat patient food provided by the ward or hospital. Visitors may not go to the exercise yard at any time with the patient.
Visitors must use the staff bathroom and must be monitored by staff, when in the staff only area.
Unless it has been pre-approved on the visiting form by the treatment team, visitors are to have only courtesy communications with other patients on the ward and are prohibited from either receiving or giving anything to any patient, except the patient they are visiting.

OTHER ISSUES:

Legal Guardians have the right to conduct official business with their client in CFS whether it is a defendant or patient, seven days a week, 24-hours a day. However, they are requested to prearrange appointments so they occur between the hours of 9:00am and 9:00pm. All business is to be conducted in the interview room on the ward. Since the purpose of the meeting is business, they may not bring any food, gifts, beverages, etc. to the patient/defendant nor may they give to or receive anything from the patient unless it is related to official business. E.g. Legal papers, documents, forms, information, etc.

If the legal guardian is also a family member, relative or personal friend, etc. and they are here to see the patient/defendant for social purposes, this is considered a social visit and all policies and rules regarding visitation are in effect. The ward coordinator/manager and unit manager must approve any exception on the visiting form.

Non-Contact Visiting: It must identify on the visiting form whenever a patient or defendant is to be moved to and from the ward in SCD’s for a visit in the non-contact visiting area. This must be coordinated at least 48 hours in advance of the visit with CFS security. During the actual visit CFS security cleared staff, with a radio, will need to be present to monitor the patient/defendant as CFS security staff will not remain in the area. Once the visit is finished CFS security will assist in returning the patient/defendant to the ward. CFS security will respond to any problems should they arise during the visit. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the unit manager in conjunction with CFS security.
Adequate Documentation: CFS Security are not authorized to allow any exceptions to established visiting policies and procedures and will only process visitation forms that have the appropriate signatures present.
Ward Manager/Coordinator signature required: (in addition to the primary therapist)
1. The patient will receive up to $5.00 cash at the time of the visit.
2. Visit on the ward during “normal” visiting hours.
3. Non-contact visiting during the 9:00am to 9:00pm time frame and the patient/defendant is a level A patient, patient without level, or level 0 patient, or on Hold and they will be moved to and from the ward in SCD's.
4. The visitor is a patient at WSH. (Note: A Doctors order is also required for both patients' for each visit.)
5. The patient will bring specifically identified items from the contact visiting area to the ward.
6. The patient will receive non-factory sealed audio or videotapes.
Unit Manager signature required: (in addition to the ward coordinator/manager) (If there is any question about needing a signature, please feel obligated to get it!)
1. A level A patient, patient without level, or level 0 patient is authorized to visit in the contact visiting area, with or without SCD's.
2. Visitors bring food items to the ward to be consumed at the time of the visit. E.g. Birthday cake, special event, etc.
3. Any visit in the non-contact visiting area outside of the hours of 9:00am and 9:00pm seven days a week.
4. Any visit in the contact visiting area or on the ward made at any time, other than at the established visiting hours.
5. Any on ward visit that interferes with scheduled treatment activities.
  E.g. M-F 8:30am to 10:30am and 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
6. More than three in the visiting party.
7. Any minor visiting on a ward.

On behalf of CFS Staff, your cooperation in this matter is appreciated. If you have any concerns, comments, or recommendations, please forward them to the CFS Unit Manager, your ward RAC representative, or treatment team member.

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