Family Visit Q & A with Sgt. Brillo and Officer Alvarez

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Q: How many total FV units are there and how many are operational?
A: There are 8 units (2 per facility) in the Main Facility and 3 in Echo. All units are operational.

Q: How many visits are being ran per session? How many on Thursday? How many on Saturday?
A: Estimated 5 to 7 families per session. This amount can fluctuate depending on any issues the family/Inmate may encounter and the visit is either rescheduled or cancelled.

Q: When you receive an application from the inmate, when do you call the family member to schedule a date? I know you said two weeks in the IFC meeting. However, family members are saying they have not received a call.
A: here is a high volume of applications coming into Family Visiting. Each application is reviewed to determine eligibility for a visit. Efforts are made to contact families within the two weeks period. However, the issues I'm encountering is no call backs or the application in question has not been received. Be advised, because an inmate or family member says the application was sent doesn’t mean the family visiting officer has received it. With the large amount of applications coming in, we still have to process each one accordingly.

Q:  A few people have stated they were told by Officer Perez that a third FV session is doing to be implemented. Is this true? If so, when will this start?
A: There has been discussion of a third Family Visit session. We are currently looking into delegating duties to a second family visiting officer.

Q: There has been concern of the Donovan Cafe orders not reaching the Cafe in time to be processed. How can we improve this process?
A: Sgt. Brillo and I are currently working on this issue. The menu's are not being received on time or they are submitted on the wrong form. If the menu is received late, I have offered for the family to pay with a credit card if the visit is within 1 week of the date I received the menu. However, the volume of late menu's has increased. I have requested reoccurring visitors that a completed menu be attached to their Family Visiting application along with their family visiting application. We cannot control when the inmate or the family member has sent the form in. We are going to be moving forward with requesting all new applications turn in a menu with the application.

Q: Is there a way for the inmate to have/receive proof that his application and cafe order was received?
A: Yes, by responding to a CDCR 22

Q: There have been complaints of lost applications and cafe orders through the transition from Officer Perez. Is there anything we can do to help provide more information to the families or inmates to prevent misplaced paperwork?
A: Unfortunately, I have no control over the mail and its process. I process any mail I receive.

Q: What is the best day and time for family members to call you? Family members are stating they have left several messages and are not receiving a return call. What should they do if they have questions or need to reschedule their date?
A: There is a high volume of calls and I am returning calls to the best of my ability.

Q: When a family member wants to pay for their Donovan Cafe order via credit card, what is the best process? I have been told for the family member to call the cafe directly once their order form has reached the cafe. How will the family member know their order form has been sent to the cafe?
A: Donovan’s Café said they will accept credit card numbers over the phone. It is the responsibility of the family member to contact them. At this time, visiting staff will not accept credit card numbers.

Q: What days are the FV units cleaned by the porters?
A: We do not have a set schedule. Per DOM 54020.33.20 Condition and Cleanliness of Family Visiting Units. Each inmate shall be responsible for the care and cleanliness of the family visiting unit during a visit. We currently have no scheduled time for porters to come to visiting units.

Q: Can plastic knives be added to the approved items? Needed to cut meat and veggies.
No plastic knives will be authorized at this time due to safety concerns.