Visitation

Visitation at NJ Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities is by appointment only.

All visitors must:

• Call the facility to schedule your visit
• Wear a face mask
• Sanitize your hands upon entering the facility
• Body temperature screening upon entry

Visitation precautions depend on if incarcerated individuals and their visitors are "up to date" on COVID-19 vaccines.

You are "up to date" if you have received all COVID-19 vaccines in the primary series and all booster doses recommended for you when eligible. Everyone is encouraged to get their COVID-19 booster so they can remain eligible for in-person visitation.

To determine what safety precautions will be in place at a particular facility, DOC will use NJ Department of Health's color-coded COVID-19 Activity Level Report.

Orange (High Risk):

• Not Up to Date Incarcerated Person: No in-person visitation.
• Up to Date Incarcerated Person: Socially distanced outdoor, non-contact visitation.
• Visitor Also Up to Date: Indoor socially distanced, non-contact visitation.

Yellow (Medium Risk):

• Not Up to Date Incarcerated Person: Socially distanced outdoor, non-contact visitation.
• Up to Date Incarcerated Person: Socially distanced outdoor, contact visitation.
• Visitor Also Up to Date: Socially distanced, indoor, contact visitation.

Green (Low Risk):

• Not Up to Date Incarcerated Person: Socially distanced, indoor, non-contact visitation.
• Up to Date Incarcerated Person: Socially distanced, indoor, contact visitation.
• Visitor Also Up to Date: No additional enhancement.

For more information on specific visitation policies, contact the facility you wish to visit.

Health Precautions

In consultation with the Department of Health, the Department of Corrections has taken steps to protect those in custody, employees, and visitors from COVID-19 including:

• Offering onsite COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to staff and inmates
• Conducting health screenings of all individuals entering its facilities
• Providing all inmates and residents with face masks
• Completing universal baseline testing of staff, inmates, and residents at all Corrections Facilities, Residential Release Programs, and Assessment Centers. For more information about cases and deaths, visit the DOC COVID-19 dashboard.
• Inmates with known exposure to COVID-19 are quarantined in a specifically designated quarantine unit within the facility, and the Department is providing alternative housing for its staff who have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Limiting foot traffic in facilities, with the implementation of flexible work arrangements for non-essential personnel that includes a reduced and rotational workforce.
• Modifying, suspending, or minimizing group activities, dining, recreation, religious gatherings, and education to minimize potential exposure and encourage social distancing.

More information about the steps DOC has taken during this time along with the number of confirmed cases at DOC prisons, halfway houses, and other locations can be found here: https://njdoc.gov/pages/COVID19Updates.shtml

Source: https://njdoc.gov/pages/COVID19Updates.shtml