Social Visiting

Social visits are between an inmate and his or her family, friends, or associates. They are a privilege for the inmate and the visitor, and visits are subject to availability of visiting space. Visits and visiting conditions are restricted to ensure the safety, security, and good order of the jail, inmates, and the public.

We adhere to a strict visiting schedule and rules for inmates and visitors. We present a brief overview of social visiting on this page and all the details in the attached Inmate Social Visiting Guide.

Visitor Names Must be on the Inmate's Approved Visiting List

Once lodged in our jail, inmates must list the names of up to five people they wish to have as visitors. Inmates choose to add or delete visitors on the list. Inmates may refuse to add visitors.

Jail staff review and determine if the named visitors are suitable based on jail policy. For instance, we reject visitors who:

• Are on parole or probation

• Have been released from a correctional facility in the past 60 days

• Who have a history of drug charges in the past six years 

Remember there are specific rules for different ages of child visitors.

If you would like to visit an inmate but your name is not on their approved list, you can mail a postcard to let the inmate know that. The inmate will need each visitor's full name (no nicknames), date of birth, driver's license or ID number with state of issue, address, and telephone number. Jail staff will not relay visiting details to inmates for you.

Planning a Visit

An inmate may only have two social visiting sessions per visiting week, which starts on Monday. Each visit may last up to one hour, and may include up to two visitors. One baby or toddler sitting on an adult's lap during the visit will not count in the two-visitor limit.   

1. Confirm you and any visitors who join you are on the inmate's approved visitor list. You can do this in person in the jail lobby, or you may call (503) 846-2600 at any time.

2. Confirm the inmate still has visiting time for the current week, again in person or by phone.

3. Read jail visiting rules before your visit. A brochure is attached with all the details you need about how to dress, items not allowed, and behavior.

4. Bring required ID, dress appropriately, and avoid bringing contraband items with you.

5. If you are visiting with a child, bring the required documentation (see the Inmate Social Visiting Guide).

6. Check in at the jail lobby during normal social visiting hours.

Visiting Hours

When You Arrive

When you arrive at the lobby for your visit, you will be required to place all your personal belongings in one of the lobby lockers (available free of charge). This will include your purse, cell phone or other two-way communication device, any sharp items, lighters, tobacco, etc. It may also include your coat, sweater, or other layers of clothing that could conceal contraband. You will also be asked to walk through a metal detector.

Jail staff may ask you to empty your pockets so they can see the contents. If they have reasonable suspicion that you are trying to take contraband into the visiting area, they may ask you to submit to a frisk search. You may refuse the search, but you will not be allowed to visit and jail staff may permanently revoke your visiting privileges.

Visits Are Not Private

You will visit the inmate in a booth that has a glass partition between you and the inmate. You will not be allowed to have contact during the visit. Multiple visiting booths will be in the same area, so these are not private visits. The jail may record video or sound in the visiting areas. 

Ending Your Visit

Please monitor yourself and end your visit on time. Return to the lobby and collect all your personal property from the lockers. The jail is not responsible for items left in lockers.

Following your visit, you may complete a Social Visitor Survey to rate and comment on our service during your visit. The forms are available in the jail lobby waiting area.