Important Health Information:

Please read the below information carefully. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our visiting policies have changed.

Televisiting: We are still providing televisiting Monday - Friday. Televisiting can be used as an option to in-person visiting. Televisiting is conducted Monday – Friday only. For further information please refer to the televisiting information.

July 5, 2022 Update: The following units are quarantined, with no patient movement, including attorney and evaluator visits, until further notice, due to positive Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19 cases. Visiting may occur using the televisiting system. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

MA 1, Unit 5, Unit 10, Unit 13, Unit 22, Unit 25, Unit 26

Visitation Scheduling ( NOTE: best viewed using Chrome)

Screening Process

In-Person visiting hours will be from 8 A.M. to 3:45 P.M. seven days a week.
Visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of their scheduled visit to allow time for screening and testing protocols.
In-person visiting may be modified or suspended based on the hospital's current COVID-19 conditions or as recommended by the CDC, CDPH and local Public Health Department guidance.
Visitors will park in the east parking lot.
When visitors walk up to the secured facility visitors will be screened starting at a screening tent located on the east end of the breezeway between the main administration building and the secure facility.
Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to being allowed to continue with the visiting process.
Visitors are screened for COVID-19 signs and symptoms and close contact with individuals with COVID-19 in the prior 14 days.
Visitors will have their temperature taken.
Visitors who are screened out will be asked to leave the hospital immediately and reschedule the visit.
- Part of the screening process may require the visitor to be escorted to the nurses' tent for further screening.
Visitors are encouraged to test for COVID-19 prior to the visit.
A negative PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of the visit can be used as proof of virus status and assist in the screening process.
If a visitor has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days but are no longer positive the visitor will be required to provide proof of the positive test.
No visitor who is currently positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to visit.
After passing the screening process the visitor will be directed to the nurses’ tent for a COVID-19 antigen test (if indicated) which involves a nasal swab performed by a hospital nurse.
Antigen testing of visitors 16 years of age and older is required for in-person visiting. A negative test is required for the visit.
After taking the antigen test the visitor will be able to continue with the entry process however the visitor will not be allowed to enter the visiting room until a negative antigen test is confirmed.
- Visitors testing positive on the antigen test will be asked to leave the hospital immediately and reschedule the visit.
Risks associated with visitation shall be explained to patients and visitors.

Visiting Room Rules

Vaccinated and unvaccinated patients are allowed in-person visiting.
Up to two (2) patients will be permitted to participate in a visit. Patients may reside on different units or programs.
Patients positive for COVID-19 or on quarantined or isolation units will not be allowed to visit until cleared by medical staff members.
Visitors will be limited to two (2) adults and one child due to seating arrangements made for social distancing concerns. Child visitors will have to be preapproved per the normal approval procedure.
All visitors and patients will be required to wear a mask while visiting the entire time.
The capacity of the Visiting room during social distancing protocols has been reduced, if maximum capacity is reached, any visitor waiting will be allowed in on a one-in, one-out basis.
Visitors will complete an online application form before the visit. The Department of Police Services will confirm the visit with the visitor before the date of the visit.
It is recommended that visitors be vaccinated before the visit.
Visitors should arrive 30 minutes prior to their visit to be screened, antigen tested and complete the visitor screening process.
Visitors will begin the screening process at the first tent, given a liability/screening waiver to complete, get their temperature taken and then proceed to the nursing tent for antigen testing. Visitors will then be processed at the CDCR sally port using the normal process. If visitors indicate they have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, they will be required to provide appropriate verifying documentation. If for any reason visitors cannot provide proof, they must be antigen tested. Educational forms will be provided to a visitor who tests positive for COVID19.

The nurse at the nursing tent will inform the officers at the CDCR sally port of results of the antigen test before the visitor can enter the visiting room.
DPS personnel will advise any visitor who tests positive for COVID-19 of their status and that the visit will be cancelled and rescheduled.

No outside food or drinks will be allowed inside visiting areas. Five minutes prior to the end of the visit, food can be purchased for the patients from the vending machines. Any food purchased from vending machines during the visit is to be taken with the patient back to the Unit.
Visitors may bring their prescribed medications.

Visitors will be briefly escorted outside when needed to take their medication and water will be provided.

Visitors and patients will be allowed a brief handshake or hug at the beginning and end of the visit.
At all times patients and visitors will be monitored to ensure that social distancing protocols are maintained. If there is an issue with noncompliance of the social distancing guidelines, the visitor and patient will be warned, and the guidelines will be reiterated to them. If the issue continues the visit will be terminated and a report will be generated. Patients will be required to wear a mask.
Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to visiting and in the patient search area for the visitor and patient to sanitize their hands before and after the visit.
Table and chairs will be cleaned by the Custodial crew every morning to ensure the visiting area is sanitized prior to opening.
After each visit concludes, officers will sanitize the table and chairs that were used for the last visit.
All the private rooms will remain open for attorney or evaluator visits and are not reflected in the room capacity. Social distance will be maintained in these rooms by the patient and their attorney/evaluator sitting diagonally across from each other in the room. Face masks will be required as well in these areas.

Please note: You will be required to present your ID at the beginning of the web conference. The information provided will need to match what has been submitted, so please fill out the form with your legal name as it appears on your state-issued ID.

To make tele-visitation available as soon as possible, this process has been implemented while still in development. Due to current limitations and the need for individual background checks, only one visitor will be allowed per time slot. We hope to allow for multiple visitors at once as soon as possible.

Tele-visiting is not available on weekends or holidays.

Visiting Room Regulations

Welfare and Institutions Code 4139 makes it a misdemeanor to deliver to a patient in a State Hospital any of the following items:

A cellular telephone or wireless communication device or a component thereof such as a SIM card.
Tobacco products.
Money in excess of the limitations and restrictions adopted by the hospital.

Coalinga State Hospital encourages visits from relatives and friends. We recognize them to be an important part of the individual’s therapeutic process. Authorized visits will not be denied unless such a visit is declined by the individual, or deemed to be harmful to the individual.

Incoming Patient Unit Phones

Department of State Hospitals – Statewide Contraband List

In accordance with Welfare & Institutions Code Section 7295, to ensure its safety and security, the Department of State Hospitals has developed a list of items deemed contraband at every state hospital.

A. "Contraband" means materials, articles, or goods that patients are prohibited from having in their possession because such materials, articles or goods present a risk to safety and security in the facility. (Welf. & Inst. Code, 7295, subd. (i); Cal. Code Regs., tit. 9, 881, subd. (e).)

B. Items restricted to use only under supervision or control may be considered contraband for the purposes of this list, as they should not be in patient's possession without supervision. All items that are illegal to possess are by default considered to be contraband, whether specifically contained in this list or not. This includes any items prohibited as a condition of parole as it applies to any patient on active parole while housed in a DSH facility.

Statewide Contraband List

Site Specific Contraband List

Visiting Hours:

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 7- days per week, including holidays *No visitors will be processed after 1:45 p.m.

Visitor Processing and Required Identification:

Visitor processing takes approximately 30 minutes. The last appointment starts at 2:00PM.
Visitors must present a valid government issued form of photo identification, address, telephone number, vehicle license number if applicable and relationship to the Individual.
Visiting is on a first come, first serve basis. Should Visiting Room capacity be reached, some visitors may be asked to shorten their visit. Visiting may implement a rotation system if necessary.
This is a secure facility and for safety and security reasons visitors are subject to search.
Attorneys requiring room reservation for clients, please contact(559) 934-3061 or (559) 934-3062 at least two business days prior to requested date. Rooms are subject to availability.

Special Visitor Clearance Required:

Minors (under the age of 18), International visitors, former employees, students or contract employees of DSH, former patients and former CDCR Inmates or staff, must advise and/or obtain written permission prior to the visit. Please contact External Affairs for special instructions (559) 935-4099.

Clothing:

Visitors are expected to dress to meet the constraints of the hospital setting. Attire shall be conservative and non-revealing. Visitors not properly dressed will not be admitted into the visiting room.
Clothing that is prohibited is that which represents the uniform or clothing worn by Individuals, staff or officers. This includes scrubs and khaki colored clothing, etc.
Examples of inappropriate clothing; strapless garments, halter, bare midriff or tank tops (male or female), transparent clothing, wrap-around tops, under wire garments, shorts, or clothing with hoods. Skirts or dresses shorter than mid-thigh, exercise type clothing (i.e., spandex, leotards), excessively loose, skin-tight or excess clothing (i.e., hats, gloves). Clothing with language, images or symbols identified as gang or gang affiliated, clothing with logos that are derogatory or anti-therapeutic, e.g profane, disrespectful, sexual, or make reference to drugs, alcohol or criminal activity. Clothing with metal and/or gemstone decoration and clothing with hoods are not allowed.
Wigs will be permitted when worn for medical reasons and prior approval has been obtained from DPS.
Open toed shoes or shoes without a back strap are not allowed.
Jewelry should be kept to a minimum, e.g. a watch, a wedding band, one bracelet. No facial jewelry other than earrings that are 1/4" or smaller.
Visitors shall not wear any item that encircles the neck that could be used as a choking or strangulation device. Examples include, but are not limited to: neckties and scarves.
DSH-C is not responsible for damage or theft of any item brought into the Visiting Room.

Items Allowed in Visiting Room:

Up to $30.00 in $1.00 increments or unwrapped coins for use in vending machine.
Thirty (30) loose photographs. DPS will review the photographs to assure suitability.
Medication required by visitor is limited to life-sustaining medication only in pill form. Only the amount needed during the visit will be allowed. All medication must be accompanied by a note from the prescribing physician. **no refrigeration capability exists for the Visiting Room**
Direct transfer of property between Individual and visitor is prohibited. Property must be given to the Visiting Center Police Officer for proper handling.

Visiting Room Conduct:

Individual and visitor may embrace and kiss at the beginning and end of each visit which is limited to momentary contact.
During visit, the Individual and visitor may hold hands. Any other contact is prohibited and may result in termination of the visit.
Any misconduct may result in termination and violators may be subject to prosecution if determined to be a violation of the law.