Visiting an incarcerated friend or family member in California can be confusing and intimidating. To ensure your visitation experience is safe and successful, it’s important to know the details of the process before heading to your local medical facility.
The Iterable – Inmate Visitation Overview covers the basics of visiting a person who is held in a California Medical Facility (CMF). In California, all individuals incarcerated in prison are referred to as “inmates” and any facility they are held in is simply known as the “facility”. The amount of time you are allowed to spend with an inmate depends on the facility and the status of the inmate. It is important that you review the facility’s policies prior to your visit to ensure that you’re following all the rules.
Once you have familiarized yourself with the visitation policy, you can start to plan for your trip to the facility. Usually, you must make an appointment prior to the date of your visit. When you arrive at the facility, you will need to check-in at a designated visitor center where you will present a valid form of government-issued identification. At this time, you may also be allowed to leave personal items and clothing with the staff.
During the visit, inmates are typically allowed to hug, kiss, and hold hands. However, all other forms of contact are prohibited and may result in your visit being terminated early. After your visit, you will need to check out and return any items that were allowed to remain with the inmate.
In summary, the Iterable – Inmate Visitation Overview explains the basics of visiting an incarcerated person held in a California Medical Facility (CMF) in order to ensure that your visit is safe and successful. Each facility has its own policies so it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules beforehand and bring the necessary documents to check-in. Visitation is allowed between family and friends within certain parameters and visitors are expected to respect the facility’s policies at all times.
California Medical Facility (CMF) – Overview and Information
The California Medical Facility (CMF) provides inpatient and outpatient healthcare services for adult males and female incarcerated in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Located in Vacaville, California, the CMF is a multi-ethnic and multi-disciplinary facility dedicated to the safety, dignity, and well-being of its patients.
The California Medical Facility houses three long-term healthcare units, including the fifth and latest, the Acute Care Unit (ACU), which opened in 2020. The facility also has a medical and a psychiatric hospital unit, each with its own staff and programs. Physicians, nurses and other specialized personnel provide a wide variety of medical specialty and psychiatric services to inmates.
The CMF provides healthcare diagnosis and treatment, including inpatient and outpatient services, medications, laboratory and imaging services, medical inspections and assessments, health education and nutritional counseling, and crisis intervention. The facility also offers a variety of health services, such as mental health services, physical therapy, and rehabilitative services.
The CMF is accredited by the Joint Commission, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and safety of health care.
The mission of the CMF is to create a safe, compassionate, therapeutic environment for inmates in custody, while providing appropriate and effective management and treatment of illness. Specialized programs are tailored to meet the needs of inmates with varying length and severity of sentences.
For more information, please visit the CMF website. CMF operates as part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the website provides a wealth of information on inmates, visitor and volunteer policies and programs, as well as health services, counseling, and social events.
California Medical Facility (CMF) – Classes, Services, and Programs
The California Medical Facility (CMF) provides comprehensive medical services to incarcerated individuals in the state of California. Located near Vacaville, CMF is a medium-security hospital providing medical care to all of California’s jails, prisons, and Youth Authority facilities. CMF works to improve the health and wellbeing of those in its care through services, programs, and classes designed to foster learning, rehabilitation, and relapse prevention.
CMF’s comprehensive medical services are organized into three primary categories: Internal Medicine, Mental Health Care, and Specialized Care. Internal Medicine provides general medical care, such as physicals, laboratory tests, and treatment of general medical illnesses. Mental Health Care services include screening, assessment, and treatment of mental health issues, including those related to substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety. Specialized Care includes treatment and programs for medical conditions such as HIV and Hepatitis C, and a wide array of specialized topics, such as reproductive health, geriatrics, and physical therapy.
In addition to its comprehensive medical service, CMF also offers a variety of educational and therapeutic programs. Educational classes focus on topics like substance use and relapse prevention, anger management, and employment skills. Programs are designed to challenge individuals and open the door to important personal growth. Examples of CMF programs include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, relapse prevention, and cognitive restructuring.
By taking advantage of all that CMF has to offer, incarcerated individuals improve their medical health and develop important social and emotional skills. CMF strives to support those in their care to be successful and healthy members of their communities when they are released back into society.
Inmate visiting application in California Medical Facility (CMF)
The California Medical Facility (CMF) has set up a specific protocol for inmates wishing to be visited by family or friends. Inmate visits must be requested through an Inmate Visiting Application and approved by the Facility Administrator.
The visitor applying to visit an inmate must complete the Inmate Visiting Application. This application must include the full name, address, phone number and date of birth of the potential visitor. The application will also require a description of the visitor’s relationship to the inmate. If the visitor has a criminal history, the applicant must disclose this information as well.
Once the application is received by the CMF, it will be reviewed by the Facility Administrator and the inmate will be notified of the visiting request. The Facility Administrator will look into the visitor’s background and ensure the visitor has not had any unfavorable past contact with the prison system. Upon a determined approval, a confirmation letter will be sent to the visitor.
Visitors are required to adhere to the CMF’s visitation rules and regulations while inside the prison. These rules include not bringing items such as drugs, alcohol, weapons, or any type of material that could potentially pose a threat to inmate safety.
All visitors must also present a valid photo identification and sign in at the Visiting Center prior to entering the facility. All individuals are subject to a search by security personnel upon entry. Upon entry all visitors must present a valid form of identification that will be verified by the CMF staff. Visitors without valid documentation will not be allowed entry into the visiting area. All visitors will be asked to sign a promise of good behavior.
Upon completion of the visit, visitors must sign out. The CMF reserves the legal right to deny or terminate an approved inmate visit at any time.
It is important to remember that the California Medical Facility takes the safety and security of its inmates very seriously. Complying with the strict visiting guidelines and regulations is the responsibility of the visitor and helps to ensure that both visitors and inmates have a safe and pleasant visit.
California Medical Facility (CMF): Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q: What is California Medical Facility (CMF)?
A: The California Medical Facility (CMF) is a state prison for high-risk inmates and is located in Vacaville, California. CMF provides comprehensive medical and mental health care to its inmates and accommodates all gender, age, and diversity.
Q: Who are some of the inmates at CMF?
A: CMF houses both criminal and civil inmates who are medium and high security risk. Some inmates are serving sentences for offenses such as murder, robbery, arson, burglary, and kidnapping.
Q: What kind of medical treatment is provided to inmates?
A: Medical treatment at CMF is comprehensive and includes routine medical care, chronic care, routine dental care, emergency care, and mental health care. Inmates have access to 24-hour-a-day medical and dental staff.
Q: What kind of programs are available for inmates?
A: CMF offers a wide range of programs including academic classes, job training and employment programs, substance abuse treatment and group counseling, life-skills counseling, religious services, recreational and leisure activities, and reentry services.
Q: Is security sufficient?
A: CMF has 24-hour-a-day staff with multiple levels of security. Security staff are highly trained and experienced in managing the high-risk inmate population. Additionally, CMF also has armed personnel, inmate security teams, and K-9 teams on-site.
Q: Are visitors allowed?
A: Visitation is allowed for approved visitors only. All visitors must complete an application and follow the prison’s rules and regulations. Visitors are subject to searches and must pass background checks before being approved.
Q: Is there any way to stay in touch with inmates?
A: Yes. Inmates are allowed to receive mail and telephone calls. Inmates may also use private mail services such as Western Union or JPay for sending money.
