Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 33-601.727 - Visitor Conduct

(1) Visitors must conduct themselves in accordance with the following requirements while on department property.

(a) There shall be no loitering.

(b) Visitors are prohibited from using cameras on department property.

(c) Visitors shall not possess, introduce, attempt to introduce, conspire or otherwise agree to introduce contraband or illegal items into or onto the grounds of any department institution or facility nor shall they solicit, command, encourage, hire or request another person to engage in specific conduct which would constitute such offense or an attempt to commit such offense. Violations shall result in the suspension of visitation privileges by the warden or designee. Contraband items not of an illegal nature shall be seized by staff when found and shall be returned only on the approval of the duty warden.

(d) Under no circumstances shall any department employee offer or be allowed to keep any item for the visitor.

(e) Visitors shall not play vehicle radios loudly while on department property.

(f) Visitors shall not yell or exhibit loud, boisterous, threatening language or disorderly behavior while on department property.

(g) Visitors shall keep accompanying children orderly during their visit so as not to disturb other inmates and visitors. If the visitor is unable to control his or her children, the visit shall be terminated and the visitor and children shall be escorted out of the institution or facility.

(h) Visitors shall not visit with any inmate except the inmate the visitor was admitted to visit or with any other visitor.

(i) A visitor shall not under any circumstances leave an unattended child or animal in any vehicle or elsewhere on department property while visiting.

(j) Visitors shall not give to or receive from the inmate any item of any description nor take any article whatsoever from the visiting area or grounds of the institution unless authorization is first obtained from the warden or duty warden. The only exceptions are food and beverage items purchased by visitors from vending machines or canteens (where applicable) and photographs purchased through the inmate photo project. The visitor may pass the food or beverage only to the inmate he or she is visiting. However, all food and beverages shall be purchased and consumed in the visiting area. The visitor shall not give cash, currency, or any other form of payment directly to an inmate.

(k) Visitors may exchange a brief embrace and kiss with the inmate to be visited once at the beginning and end of visit.

1. A visitor and inmate may hold hands if visiting park staff can observe the holding of hands. However, the holding of hands in the lap of either the visitor or the inmate is prohibited.

2. Small children of the inmate or of the visitor may be held by the inmate.

3. No other forms of affection or physical contact between visitors and inmates are authorized.

(l) Visitors who are nursing may breastfeed their babies during their visit. In the interests of safety and security, nursing mothers must cover their breasts with a non-quilted baby blanket while nursing. At no time shall the nipple of the mother's breast be uncovered and exposed in the visiting park. A mother may choose to leave the visiting park to breastfeed her baby and she shall be permitted to reenter the visiting park subject to a search of her person and belongings. Nursing mothers shall not be directed to the institution's restroom to breastfeed.

(2) Visitors shall be allowed to attend institutional church services and other special programs if consistent with security considerations.

(3) Those visitors with an authorized service animal, as defined in Rule 33-601.713, F.A.C., must ensure that their animal conforms with acceptable behavior. A service animal, must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal's work or the visitor's disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the visitor must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. A visitor is responsible for any and all damage caused by himself or the service animal. Department staff are not required to provide care or food for a service animal.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 33-601.727

Rulemaking Authority 944.09 FS. Law Implemented 944.09, 944.23, 944.47, 944.8031 FS.

New 11-18-01, Formerly 33-601.708, Amended 5-27-02, 9-29-03, 3-29-07, 2-21-13, 6-18-13, 8-12-13, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 006, January 10, 2023 effective 1/26/2023.

New 11-18-01, Formerly 33-601.708, Amended 5-27-02, 9-29-03, 3-29-07, 2-21-13, 6-18-13, 8-12-13, 1-26-23.