Notice
Due to concerns over the coronavirus, all visits to the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction will be suspended until further notice. This suspension does not apply to attorneys and religious advisers.
We are taking this step out of an abundance of caution and are working to ensure that our inmates have increased access to telephone services so that they may maintain their connection to loved ones. This is a fluid situation and will be assessed on a daily basis. Thank you.
Click here for COVID-19 precautions from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Entrance Procedures
Visitors for Inmates
1. All visitors with the intention of seeing an inmate must obtain and complete the Visitor Registration Form, with the exception of the individuals listed on the back of the form. The Visitor Registration Form may be obtained at the Outer Control Front Desk.
a. Visitors shall only visit with the inmate indicated on their Visitor Registration
Form.
b. Any visitor under the influence of liquor, or with its odor on his/her breath, or under the influence of any drug, shall be denied entrance to the correctional facility or to any HJHC office. A written report of such denial shall be forwarded to the Sheriff or his designee.
c. Visitors who are ex-offenders (felons) shall only be allowed access with the permission of the Sheriff or his designee.
2. Before being admitted to the HJHC, a visitor shall be required to produce a current photographic identification such as a Massachusetts driver’s license or a passport.
3. Failure to supply all required information and perform the required entrance procedures may result in a denial of the visit. A written report of such denial shall be forwarded to the Sheriff or his designee.
4. All attorneys are required to produce a Bar Card and a current photographic identification.
5. All clergy are required to produce a current photographic identification and identification from a recognized religious organization.
Entrance Procedures
1. Upon submission of the above mentioned, Visitor Registration Form and picture ID, the visitor is required to lock up all personal property in a locker, including but not limited to jewelry in his/her possession. Permitted jewelry includes one wedding band, one traditional engagement ring, and one religious medal permitted along with a Medical Alert Bracelet.
a. When locker keys are issued for storage of personal property, identification must be exchanged for the locker key and posted on the board and maintained for this purpose at the Outer Control Front Desk. The HJHC is not responsible for any items secured in a locker by a visitor.
2. Visitors are not allowed to carry anything into the facility such as pocket knives, purses, prescription drugs (unless lifesaving drugs, see below), chewing gum, rings (unless a reasonable attempt is made to take off rings), earrings, watches, or any other types of jewelry, nor any other items which may be defined as contraband. This includes food and drink, books, magazines, letters, notes, pens, pencils, periodicals, newspapers, etc.
3. No one is permitted to bring a camera inside the facility, other than into the lobby and administrative area, without the approval of the Sheriff or his designee.
4. If an infant enters the facility, one clear plastic bottle is permitted.
5.Visitors requiring lifesaving medication in their possession must notify the officer in charge of the Outer Control and request to bring in a required supply. Approval will be received from the shift supervisor.
Search Procedures for Visitors
1. Any visitor may be subject to a search prior to entering the facility. All visitors failing to successfully pass the metal detector shall be searched prior to entering the facility. A sign shall be posted in the lobby warning that ALL VISITORS ARE SUBJECT TO BEING SEARCHED and, containing the same wording in Spanish, TODAS LAS VISITAS ESTAN SUJETAS A REVISION.
2. All visitors must successfully pass through the metal detector and hand held metal detector before being allowed entrance to the facility. If an individual still cannot successfully pass through the metal detector and hand held metal detector after several attempts, the visitor shall be asked to submit to an authorized body search.