Extended Family Visit Resource Guide for Families

Extended Family Vis

Resource Guide for Families

August 2024

500-GU020 R. 8/2024

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Extended Family Visit

Resource Guide for Families

The Department of Corrections has established an Extended Family Visit (EFV) Program in

Prisons for eligible incarcerated individuals to support building sustainable relationships important

to reentry and to provide an incentive for those serving long-term sentences to engage in positive

behavioral choices.

Participation is a privilege that is held to the highest screening requirements to ensure the safety

of incarcerated individuals and their loved ones, as well as the orderly operations of the facility.

Applying for Visits

Application Process

Family members start by gathering all required forms by visiting Prison Visits | Washington

State Department of Corrections under Extended Family Visits (EFV). Your next step is to

gather all the required documents that are applicable to your request.

Required documentation must be issued by the appropriate regulatory agency (e.g., Department

of H

ealth, court issued), showing direct lineage through birth, marriage/state registered

domestic partnership, or adoption. Documents will be copied by the Headquarters EFV Visit

Unit, and the originals will be returned to the applicant.

Required documents may include:

• Birth certificate(s)

o If “none listed” is on a birth certificate for a minor applicant, documentation must

be submitted that shows proof of parentage for that parent (e.g., paternity

documentation).

• Color copy of Government issued photo identification (e.g., passport, driver license o

tate ID card)

• Marriage license(s)/state registered domestic partnership certificate(s)

• Divorce decree(s)

• Death certificate(s)

• Adoption papers

• Other necessary documentation as identified by the Headquarters Visit Unit

Bot

h parents listed on the birth certificate must provide written, notarized consent on DOC 20-

441 Parent/Guardian Consent for Minor Visit and/or Escort.

If a parent has lost parental rights, court documents must be provided instead of the form.

Once the forms are filled out and required documents gathered, they are sent to:

Department of Corrections

ATTN: EFV Application

Post Office Box 41118

Olympia, WA 98504-1118

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Once you submit your packet, the Headquarters EFV Unit reviews your packet to ensure all

relevant information and documents are present. If not, we will communicate with you to submit

what is missing.

Facility Review

When the packet is complete, it is sent to the facility case manager who sends it to Health

Services for their review and recommendations. The case manager begins their review

normally at the same time as Health Services. That way, the Facility Risk Management Team

(FRMT) can convene to discuss the request with your loved one as soon possible.

Once the packet goes through the FRMT process and the Superintendent/designee makes their

decision, the packet is then returned to the EFV Visit Unit.

EFV Review Commi

ttee

When the packet comes back to the EFV Visit Unit, some cases are required to go through an

additional screening process called the EFV Review Committee. Crimes that trigger an

automatic review are aligned with the following sex offenses and serious violent crimes list:

Sex Offenses and Serious Violent Offenses

Sex Offenses as defined in RCW 9.94A.030(47)

Rape 1, 2, or 3 (RCW 9A.44.040, RCW 9A.44.050, and RCW 9A.44.060)

Rape of a child 1, 2, or 3 (RCW 9A.44.073, RCW 9A.44.076, and RCW 9A.44.079)

Child molestation 1, 2, or 3 (RCW 9A.44.083, RCW 9A.44.086, and RCW 9A.44.089)

Sexual misconduct with a minor 1 (RCW 9A.44.093)

Indecent liberties (RCW 9A.44.100)

Sexually violating human remains (RCW 9A.44.105)

Voyeurism (RCW 9A.44.115)

Custodial sexual misconduct 1 (RCW 9A.44.160)

Criminal trespass against children (RCW 9A.44.196)

Incest (RCW 9A.64.020)

Any felony sexual exploitation of children offense listed in RCW 9.68A

A felony that is a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit

a crime listed above

Failure to register as sex offender or kidnapping offender (RCW 9A.44.132) if the person

has been convicted of failing to register on at least one prior occasion

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Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to July 1, 1976, that is

comparable to one of the crimes listed above

A felony with a finding of sexual motivation under RCW 9.94A.835 or 13.40.135

Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state

would be a felony classified as a sex offense

Serious Violent Offenses as defined in RCW 9.94A.030(45)

Murder 1 and 2 (RCW 9A.32.030 and RCW 9A.32.050)

Homicide by abuse (RCW 9A.32.055)

Manslaughter 1 (RCW 9A.32.060)

Assault 1 (RCW 9A.36.011)

Kidnapping 1 (RCW 9A.40.020)

Rape 1 (RCW 9A.44.040)

Assault of a child 1 (RCW 9A.36.120)

An attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit one of these felonies

Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state

would be a felony classified as a serious violent offense

The EFV Review Committee consists of the Statewide Visit Specialist, Director of Correctional

Services, facility leadership, Deputy Assistant Secretary of men’s or women’s prisons, and other

committee members as

appropriate for each case.

Once the decision is made, the HQ EFV Unit will send a kiosk message to your incarcerated

loved one and a letter to family members. It is important to note that we will include the

disqualifying information in the notification of the identified person (the one with the disqualifying

criteria) and direct the other party to contact them for more information.

Appeals

If you receive a denial and believe it is in error, you as the family member or your loved one may

submit an appeal to other DOC Correspondence Unit

[email protected].

This information will be in your notification. Please make sure you include any new information

that you want considered for review by the committee, rather than just sending an email that

says, “I want to appeal the decision.”

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Your appeal will then be seen by the EFV Review Committee for consideration. Appeals take

approximately 30-45 business days and are final. Family members may reapply one year from

the date of the final appeal denial.

We’re Approved! Now what?

Each facility handles the scheduling of EFVs and your loved one starts the process by

requesting available dates.

How to Prepare for your EFV

While preparing for your visit, it is important that you review the following two documents:

• EFV Allowable Items

• EFV Minimum Standards & Supply List

The EFV Allowable Items educates you on what you can bring and the EFV Standards lets you

know what is available in the EFV Unit for your use during the visit.

Here are those documents for your review:

EXTENDED FAMILY VISIT ALLOWABLE ITEMS

ALLOWED FOOD ITEMS

Food items must come in transparent/semi-transparent, prepackaged factory and/or store-sealed packages

(e.g. deli meat, seafood including shell(s), bread, bakery items) and will be searched in the presence or the

visitor(s)

• Frozen food that can be scanned through x-ray.

• Bread; does not need to be double wrapped

• Ingredients must be listed in English

• Except for beverages, pull-top metal cans must have contents emptied into a plastic container

during processing before the visit

• Other cans that require a can opener are authorized and a smooth-edged opener will be

provided.

• Eggs must be brought in the original store carton

• Fruits and vegetables (e.g., mushrooms) must be pre-cut and placed in baggies because kitchen

knives are not provided, nor allowed to be brought in

STORAGE ITEMS AND PAPER TOWELS

The following are allowed provided the serrated strip has been removed and can be searched appropriately

by security personnel:

• Aluminum foil

• Plastic wrap

• Parchment/wax paper

One roll of factory-sealed paper towels

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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

One small bag (under 8 lbs.) of self-lighting charcoal briquettes if the facility has a grill available - the facility

will provide an ignition source (e.g., match, lighter) as they are not allowed to be brought by the visitor

One soft or hardback book per visitor - must not contain obvious racial, sexual, or construed as sexual in

nature, discriminatory, violent, or gang affiliated content

• Book covers are allowed

Disposable soft plastic eating utensils (i.e., spoon, fork, knife) will be allowed and may not be provided by the

facility

Baggies and clear plastic containers must be brought to transfer items from original containers

CLOTHING

Visitors may bring apparel that fits in the bag along with their hygiene items. The bag must fit through and

clear the facility scanner.

STORAGE/MEDICAL/HYGIENE ITEMS

• Items are per person unless noted

• Non-prescription medical & hygiene items must be unused/unopened, and/or factory sealed

unless noted; items will not be denied based on gender-specific designation

One suitcase, backpack, or duffel bag - must fit through X-ray or scanning machine

• Once items are searched and clear the scanning machine, along with any storage items that have

contents, the suitcase/backpack/duffel bag will be authorized

One pair hearing aids and one replacement battery for each hearing aid per 24 hour period

Two pairs of glasses

One makeup kit - does not have to be new and may

contain a mirror

One shampoo and one conditioner per family - containers cannot be more than 14 oz. each

One pair dentures, one denture cleaner, and one package of denture adhesive

One head scarf or religious headgear One shower cap

Contacts with a cleaning kit

One non-aerosol deodorant

One bottle body wash - no bigger than 14 oz. One loofah or body sponge

One hand/body lotion no bigger than 8 oz. (e.g., Vaseline, shea/cocoa butter)

Feminine napkins/tampons Cotton swabs (e.g., balls, pads, Q-tip)

One comb, plastic pick, and/or brush

One hairdryer

One non-aerosol, alcohol-free hairspray Electric curling iron/straightener

One non-battery-operated toothbrush One tube of toothpaste per family

One container of floss or dental soft picks per family

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INFANT/TODDLER ITEMS

Appropriate hygiene items and clothing for infant/toddler up to 3 years of age (e.g., factory-sealed

diapers/wipes, pajamas, socks, footwear, pacifier, teething ring, toys excluding stuffed animals, baby

blankets, bottles, clothing)

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED

Glass Opaque butcher paper/butcher-wrapped items Opened containers

Alcohol - not including items that contain small amounts (e.g., lotion, shampoo)

Energy/protein drinks - not including items that support health (e.g., Ensure, Glucerna, Pediasure)

Kombucha Poppy seeds or items containing them

Yeast - items may contain yeast, but may not be

brought in its original state as a single ingredient

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),

hemp, and any THC based item.

Homemade items including “take and bake” items

(e.g., Papa Murphy’s, etc.)

Aerosol products

Helpful h

ints for preparing for your EFV

• Visitors showing up for a scheduled visit must comply with clothing standards per

DOC 450.300 Visits for Incarcerated Individuals 450300.pdf

• Incarcerated Individuals will remain in state-issued clothing in accordance with DOC

440.050 State Issued Items 440050.pdf 440050a1.pdf

• Dollar store-type franchises may offer many listed items at a low cost

• Visitors should bring enough clear, plastic storage containers to allow for all items

that may need to be transferred to allow for searches of items brought for the visit

• Small, sealed seasoning packets are available at most grocery stores

• Whole fruits and vegetables that need to be cut up, will need to be prepared ahead

of the visit since knives are not allowed and will not be provided by the facility

• If a visitor’s suitcase/backpack/duffel bag will not fit through the x-ray or scanning

machine, it will not be allowed to be taken into the facility

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EFV Standards and Supply List

All prison facilities work to provide the same basic, minimum supplies for each EFV Unit.

Please review those expectations below to better plan for your visit.

Living Room

• Sofa/Couch

• Chair (at least one)

• End table

• Lamps

• Area rug when not carpeted

• Radio player

• TV-flatscreen (hung on wall whenever possible)

• DVD player – DVDs available in unit or for check out

Dining Area

• Table and chairs

Kitchen

Dishwasher

Measuring cups

Microwave

Measuring spoons

Coffee Pot

Rubber spatula

Griddle

Rolling pin

Rice Cooker

Mixing bowls (set of 3 different sizes)

Garbage can

Cakepan

Garbage bags

Heavy duty plastic silverware – Spoon, Fork,

Blunt tip knives (Set of at least 8)

Stove top cooking pots, large and small (2)

Plates (set of 8)

Non-stick Frying Pans (2) 10” & 12” with lids

Bowls (set of 8)

Cookie Sheets (2)

Plastic glasses (set of 8)

Ice cube tray

Coffee cups (set of 4)

Colander

Spatula (pancake turner)

Sink Strainer

Large silicone (or heat-resistant) spoon

Large silicone (or heat-resistant) slotted spoon

Sponge or bamboo brush

Tongs –with rubber tips

Soap and Soap Dispenser (refillable container)

Spoon with holes

Hand Towels

Wooden Spoons

Dish towels

Can opener (smooth edge)

Dishwasher soap

Cutting board

Dish drain rack (rubber)

Air fryer

Potholders

Paper towels

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Bedrooms

• Queen mattress on frame

• Bedside reading lamp

• 2 Twin beds or one bunk bed for children

• Bedding for each bed will include:

• 2 sets of sheets

• 2 blankets

• 1 comforter/quilt

• Pillows (4 for queen, 1 for each twin)

For Infants/Toddlers

• Crib with mattress or portable crib

• Changing table

• Children’s blankets/pillows

• Toy Box

• Toys – age appropriate for developmental stages

• Highchair

• Potty Chair (fits over toilet)

Bathroom

• Toilet paper

• Plunger

• Bathmat

• Non-slip stickers in tub

• Shower liner and curtain

• Hair dryer (wall mount, if possible)

• Garbage can

• Hand soap

• 4 hand & bath towels (each at a minimum)

Games & Books

• Gaming System with game controllers – e.g., PlayStation, Wii, Xbox, etc.

• Board games (family/age-appropriate games)

• Playing cards (e.g., standard, UNO, Skip Bo, etc.) and puzzles

• Children’s books and toys

Outdoors

• BBQ (where appropriate and must comply with burn ban orders)

• BBQ utensils (spatula, tongs; no BBQ forks or skewers)

• Outdoor games

• Lawn chairs or seating

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General

• Clock

• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors

• Fire extinguisher

• Blinds without strings (choking hazard) or Curtains

• Rug near front door

• Notepad and 2 pens

• Cleaning supplies

• All-purpose cleaner/disinfectant

• Mop and bucket

• Broom & dustpan

• Vacuum

• Toilet Brush

If during your visit you find any of these items missing, please let the facility staff know. You

may also request items for the units by working with your Local Family Council representatives.

When you arrive at the facility

Please make sure you review the facility web site for check-in directions and remember you and

additional family members must all follow visitor dress standards identified for visiting. Once

inside the EFV unit, you’ll be able to change and relax.

You can expect to go through standard search procedures when entering and leaving the

facility, consistent with DOC 420.340 Searching and Detaining Facility Visitors. You do have

the right to refuse the searches, but refusal will result in denied admittance to the facility and

may jeopardize future visiting privileges.

Just so you are aware, your loved one will be searched entering and leaving the EFV unit,

consistent with DOC 420.310 Searches of Offenders.

Visitors are allowed to bring only items identified in Extended Family Visit Allowable Items

available in this document.

An ice chest may be used to transport cold products from your car to the facilities x-ray

machines (where available) for staff to inspect and screen all food items. Staff will notify you of

any items that must be transferred to plastic bags/containers that you brought with you for this

scenario. Remember, liquid will not be transferred into plastic bags.

An important reminder when it comes to clothing: clothing brought in is only for the family. No

clothing can be brought in for your loved one as they must remain in state-issue clothing during

your visit. This is for two reasons; one, because street clothing is considered escape

paraphernalia and two, if we must remove them quickly back into the facility because of an

emergency and escort you out safely. Thank you for understanding.

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What Your Loved One May Bring

Each of the following items may be brought in as authorized per number of days spent in the

unit, not to include the set they wear in.

• T-shirts

• Sports Bra/fitted Sports Bra/Binder

• Underwear/Boxers

• Pants

• Shirts, button-up

• Socks

The following items are allowed as a single set:

• Shower Shoes

• Shoes

• Coat

• Hat

• Sweatshirts

• Sweatpants

• Shorts

These additional items are authorized to bring in as needed:

• Hygiene items for menstruating persons (e.g., sanitary napkins, tampons)

• Incontinence supplies

• Authorized durable medical equipment (e.g., walker, cane, CPAP, etc.)

• Contacts and cleaning solution/glasses

• Dentures and denture adhesive

A hygiene bag with soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrush is provided upon request.

Visitor Medications & Durable Medical Equipment

Each facility has established a process for visitor medications that fits their operations. Family

members are required to document any newly prescribed and non-prescription/over-the-counter

medication on DOC 16-102 Visitor Medication/Durable Medical Equipment Questionnaire and

send the form to the facility prior to the visit.

• Family members may bring only the prescribed and/or non-prescription/over-the-counter

medication to last the duration of the visit.

• Prescription medication will only be allowed if current and in the original container

purchased from and labeled by a licensed pharmacy.

• Non-prescription/over-the-counter medications must be in original container.

• Prescription drugs are for visitor use only. Family members may not bring in prescription

drugs for anyone else.

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• Glucometer or other medical applications that are used with cellular phones will not be

available to family members since cell phones are not authorized in the EFV units.

Please work with your doctor to accommodate your needs by a method that does not

include the use of your cell phone.

• Durable medical equipment, such as walkers, CPAP/Bi-PAP machines, or other

necessary items must be listed on the form for review to ease your check-in experience.

• Prescription medication that requires refrigeration will be managed per the local facility

process with assurance of refrigeration.

Please note: If your loved one is prescribed medications, a health services staff will arrive at

stated times with correctional personnel to provide those medications.

Checking In to the EFV Unit – O

rientation for Families New to the Unit or Process Only

Once the screening and searches are completed, the staff will escort you with your ice chest to

the assigned EFV Unit where they will perform an orientation for families new to the unit or

process. The orientation will include:

• Check-in and -out procedures

• Review of Allowable Items

• Unit walkthrough & appliance use

• Noise concerns

• Supervision of children

• Garbage & sanitation expectations

• Counts and wellness checks

• Formal/informal counts

• Employees must visually and verbally communicate with all family members and

your loved one at least once every 8 hours.

• EFV Medication procedure

• Emergency procedures

• Other facility specific information

Once the orientation is completed, your loved one will be brought in to start your visit. You may

contact staff at any time if there is a problem.

Donations

Families may request to provide new, factory sealed CDs, DVDs, and computer games in

advance for use at your upcoming visit. The item will be searched and held for your visit and

then circulated for others to use after the completion of your visit. Donations will follow DOC

210.060 Donations, and the donated CDs, DVDs must be rated Early Childhood, Everyone, G,

Everyone 10+, Teen, PG, PG-13, or equivalent. Unrated (i.e., “NR”) items will not be allowed.

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Family Planning and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Family planning information is available through community agencies or upon request from

facility Health Services at the facility where your loved one is assigned.

Spouses/state registered domestic partners will be responsible for providing any additional

condoms/barrier protection and/or alternative birth control (e.g., birth control pills) as noted on

the EFV Allowable Items section of this document.

Service Animals

Service animals that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may be

allowed to attend the visit with their designated escort. The following link provides you the

information regarding service animals:

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-

requirements/. Please understand that the service animal will not be allowed when a

participating individual has a documented history of animal abuse, mistreatment, or documented

allergies.

You must accompany and supervise your service animal during the entire visit, and remember

the following expectations:

• Always maintain control of the animal,

• Ensure the animal does not cause damage to any property,

• Understand you will be responsible for any damages caused by the animal

• Ensure the animal is leashed when outside the EFV unit, and

• Clean up waste. Prior to entering the EFV or during orientation, please ask the staff to

provide the materials and instructions on waste management.

Summary

The Department hopes you enjoy your visit with your loved one and encourages you to review

the following reference section for additional information. Please make sure to let us know how

we can improve your visits!

REFERENCE SECTION

IMPORTANT NOTE: RCW 72.09.015 defines “immediate family” as: children of the

incarcerated individual, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents, stepparents,

grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and a person legally married to or in

a state registered domestic partnership. This includes an individual who was adopted as a child

or an adult but does not include an individual adopted by another individual.

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Domestic Violence Screenings

The Department uses a combination of information to identify domestic violence concerns. This

includes but is not limited to:

• History of arrests for domestic violence flagged cases

• Convictions of domestic violence flagged cases or cases where domestic violence is

described by police reports, pre-sentence investigations, probable cause statements and

other crime descriptions

• Court filings may not be counted unless additional factors are present as noted below.

• Convictions where there is no domestic violence flag, but crime details reflect evidence

of domestic violence victims. This may occur when an individual takes a plea to a lesser

offense.

• Protection orders, Anti-Harassment orders, No-contact orders on the side of either the

visitor or the incarcerated individual. The screening reviews “who” the identified

protected person is, the protected person’s relationship to the named defendant, and

any additional information revealed through records search.

Additional considerations:

• Victims of domestic violence convictions are not eligible for EFVs.

• Visitors or incarcerated individuals deemed to have a domestic violence indicator against

a “like” or similar victim (e.g., individuals who assaulted a spouse/state registered

domestic partner, intimate partner, parent, child, or other family member) may not be

eligible for EFVs.

• Infraction record that reflects violent or aggressive behaviors may impact eligibility.

Factors considered in addition to domestic violence:

• Internal investigation or confidential information received that substantiates a threat to

safety and/or security if privileges are granted (i.e., escape concerns, drug introduction,

etc.).

• Pending infractions that will disqualify individuals if found guilty (application may be held

pending outcome of hearing but will not be held through appeal process).

The Department also applies applicable definitions as provided in RCW 71.105.010.

Washington State Definition of Domestic Violence

Substitute House Bill 1901 (SHB 1901)

Passed: March 8, 2022

Effective: July 1, 2022

Updates our state’s definitions within RCW 7.105.010: Definitions. (wa.gov)

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Domestic violence as defined in RCW 71.105.010 (9):

“Domestic violence” means:

(a) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of physical harm, bodily injury, or

assault; nonconsensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration; coercive control;

unlawful harassment; or stalking of one intimate partner by another intimate partner; or

(b) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of physical harm, bodily injury, or

assault; nonconsensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration; coercive control;

unlawful harassment; or stalking of one family or household member by another family or

household member.

Dating Relationship as defined in RCW 7.105.010 (8):

“Dating relationship” means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that the court

may consider in making this determination include: (a) The length of time the relationship has

existed; (b) the nature of the relationship; and (c) the frequency of interaction between the

parties.

Intimate partner as defined in RCW 7.105.010 (20):

“Intimate partner” means: (a) Spouses or domestic partners; (b) former spouses or former

domestic partners; (c) persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have

been married or have lived together at any time, unless the child is conceived through sexual

assault; or (d) persons who have or have had a dating relationship where both persons are at

least 13 years of age or older.

• Renumbers several subsections within RCW 9.41.040.

• Changes the relationship requirements for Washington’s MCDV prohibitor.

• Changes our state’s protection order prohibitor to mirror the requirements of Brady.

• RCW 7.105.325 requires that law enforcement agencies enter protection orders with

firearm restrictions from the court into the NICS Indices. (An email of this update was

sent out on 7/25/2022)

Family or household members as defined in RCW 71.105.010 (13):

“Family or household members” means: (a) Persons related by blood, marriage, domestic

partnership, or adoption; (b) persons who currently or formerly resided together; (c) persons

who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren

and grandparents and grandchildren, or a parent’s intimate partner and children; and (d) a

person who is acting or has acted as a legal guardian.

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SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE REVISIONS?

The Department of Corrections welcomes feedback on all our policies. Family, staff, and

community members can provide feedback at any time by visiting the Policy Revision Feedback

Survey at https://doc.wa.gov/information/policies/feedback-survey.htm

It is important to remind families and community members that under RCW 72.09.490: Policy on

extended family visitation. (wa.gov), the Department must present the revised policy to the

appropriate legislative committees and identify any changes. The committees then provide us

any recommendations or advice on the proposed changes. For more information, please review

the full statute.