{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-1.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-1.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-1.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-1.2.html"}],"law_id":63335,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63335,"structure_id":16088,"section_number":"53.1-1.2","catch_line":"Visitation policies","history":"2020, c. 1170.","full_text":"The following procedures regarding individuals who are physically present at a state correctional facility for the purpose of visiting a prisoner shall apply:\n\n1\n\nUpon entry into a state correctional facility, visitors shall be informed of the items that they are not permitted to bring into the facility and the items that they are permitted to bring into the facility.2\n\nIf an item that is otherwise legal for the visitor to possess is not permitted in the facility, the item may be placed in the possession of facility employees, if the facility is able to store such item, for the duration of the visit and returned to the visitor upon leaving the facility.3\n\nIf equipment is available, visitors shall be scanned or wanded by an electronic scanning or detection device, or both.4\n\nIf detector canines are available, visitors shall be subjected to a detector canine search.5\n\nIf the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding does not indicate any contraband and the visitor is otherwise eligible to visit, the visitor shall be allowed a visit with the prisoner that allows personal contact.6\n\nIf the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding indicates the possibility of contraband, the visitor shall have the option of consenting to a search of his person. If the visitor does not consent to a search of his person after only a detector canine search indicates the possibility of contraband and the visitor is otherwise eligible to visit, he shall be allowed a visit with the prisoner that does not allow personal contact. If the visitor does not consent to a search of his person after scanning or wanding indicates the possibility of contraband, the Department may deny the visitor entry into the facility in accordance with the operating procedures regarding visiting privileges as authorized by § 53.1-30.7\n\nA visitor shall be allowed to leave the correctional facility and discontinue the search process prior to the discovery of contraband. A visitor shall not be barred from future visits because he stops a search prior to the discovery of contraband or refuses to consent to a search of his person, including refusing to consent to a strip search or a search of any body cavity. Correctional facility personnel shall not use the search procedure or search results as a threat to bar future visits. The superintendent, warden, or other official in charge of the facility shall ensure that correctional facility personnel do not use the search procedure or search results as a threat to bar future visits.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":230790,"text":"The following procedures regarding individuals who are physically present at a state correctional facility for the purpose of visiting a prisoner shall apply:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":230791,"text":"Upon entry into a state correctional facility, visitors shall be informed of the items that they are not permitted to bring into the facility and the items that they are permitted to bring into the facility.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":230792,"text":"If an item that is otherwise legal for the visitor to possess is not permitted in the facility, the item may be placed in the possession of facility employees, if the facility is able to store such item, for the duration of the visit and returned to the visitor upon leaving the facility.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":230793,"text":"If equipment is available, visitors shall be scanned or wanded by an electronic scanning or detection device, or both.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":230794,"text":"If detector canines are available, visitors shall be subjected to a detector canine search.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":230795,"text":"If the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding does not indicate any contraband and the visitor is otherwise eligible to visit, the visitor shall be allowed a visit with the prisoner that allows personal contact.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":230796,"text":"If the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding indicates the possibility of contraband, the visitor shall have the option of consenting to a search of his person. If the visitor does not consent to a search of his person after only a detector canine search indicates the possibility of contraband and the visitor is otherwise eligible to visit, he shall be allowed a visit with the prisoner that does not allow personal contact. If the visitor does not consent to a search of his person after scanning or wanding indicates the possibility of contraband, the Department may deny the visitor entry into the facility in accordance with the operating procedures regarding visiting privileges as authorized by § 53.1-30.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":230797,"text":"A visitor shall be allowed to leave the correctional facility and discontinue the search process prior to the discovery of contraband. A visitor shall not be barred from future visits because he stops a search prior to the discovery of contraband or refuses to consent to a search of his person, including refusing to consent to a strip search or a search of any body cavity. Correctional facility personnel shall not use the search procedure or search results as a threat to bar future visits. The superintendent, warden, or other official in charge of the facility shall ensure that correctional facility personnel do not use the search procedure or search results as a threat to bar future visits.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16088,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14679,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:05:30","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:05:30","permalink":{"id":237595,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16088,"identifier":"1","token":"53.1\/1\/1","url":"\/53.1\/1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14679,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration Generally","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:17","permalink":{"id":237593,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14679,"identifier":"1","token":"53.1\/1","url":"\/53.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":85635,"structure_id":16088,"section_number":"53.1-1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/53.1-1\/","token":"53.1\/1\/1\/53.1-1","metadata":false},{"id":64783,"structure_id":16088,"section_number":"53.1-1.01","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/53.1-1.01\/","token":"53.1\/1\/1\/53.1-1.01","metadata":false},{"id":86025,"structure_id":16088,"section_number":"53.1-1.1","catch_line":"Telephone systems within correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-1.1\/","token":"53.1\/1\/1\/53.1-1.1","metadata":false},{"id":63335,"structure_id":16088,"section_number":"53.1-1.2","catch_line":"Visitation policies","url":"\/53.1-1.2\/","token":"53.1\/1\/1\/53.1-1.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86025,"structure_id":16088,"section_number":"53.1-1.1","catch_line":"Telephone systems within correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-1.1\/","token":"53.1\/1\/1\/53.1-1.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-1.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 1170<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81741,"section_number":"53.1-30","catch_line":"Who may enter interior of state correctional facilities; searches of those entering","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-30\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":237609,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63335,"identifier":"53.1-1.2","token":"53.1\/1\/1\/53.1-1.2","url":"\/53.1-1.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-1.2\/","token":"53.1\/1\/1\/53.1-1.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Visitation policies","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-1.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The following procedures regarding individuals who are physically present at a state correctional facility<\/span> for the purpose of visiting a prisoner shall apply:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Upon entry into a state correctional facility<\/span>, visitors shall be informed of the items that they are not permitted to bring into the facility and the items that they are permitted to bring into the facility. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If an item that is otherwise legal for the visitor to possess is not permitted in the facility, the item may be placed in the possession<\/span> of facility employees, if the facility is able to store such item, for the duration of the visit and returned to the visitor upon leaving the facility. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If equipment is available, visitors shall be scanned or wanded by an electronic scanning or detection device, or both. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> If detector canines are available, visitors shall be subjected to a detector canine search. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> If the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding does not indicate any contraband and the visitor is otherwise eligible to visit, the visitor shall be allowed a visit with the prisoner that allows personal contact. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> If the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding indicates the possibility of contraband, the visitor shall have the option of consenting to a search of his person. If the visitor does not consent to a search of his person after only a detector canine search indicates the possibility of contraband and the visitor is otherwise eligible to visit, he shall be allowed a visit with the prisoner that does not allow personal contact. If the visitor does not consent to a search of his person after scanning or wanding indicates the possibility of contraband, the Department<\/span> may deny the visitor entry into the facility in accordance with the operating procedures regarding visiting privileges<\/span> as authorized by § 53.1-30<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> A visitor shall be allowed to leave the correctional facility and discontinue the search process prior to the discovery<\/span> of contraband. A visitor shall not be barred from future visits because he stops a search prior to the discovery<\/span> of contraband or refuses to consent to a search of his person, including refusing to consent to a strip search or a search of any body cavity. Correctional facility personnel shall not use the search procedure or search results as a threat to bar future visits. The superintendent, warden, or other official in charge of the facility shall ensure that correctional facility personnel do not use the search procedure or search results as a threat to bar future visits. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVISITATION POLICIES (\u00a7 53.1-1.2)\n\nThe following procedures regarding individuals who are physically present at a\nstate correctional facility for the purpose of visiting a prisoner shall apply:\n\n1. Upon entry into a state correctional facility, visitors shall be informed of\nthe items that they are not permitted to bring into the facility and the items\nthat they are permitted to bring into the facility.\n\n2. If an item that is otherwise legal for the visitor to possess is not\npermitted in the facility, the item may be placed in the possession of facility\nemployees, if the facility is able to store such item, for the duration of the\nvisit and returned to the visitor upon leaving the facility.\n\n3. If equipment is available, visitors shall be scanned or wanded by an\nelectronic scanning or detection device, or both.\n\n4. If detector canines are available, visitors shall be subjected to a detector\ncanine search.\n\n5. If the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding does not indicate any\ncontraband and the visitor is otherwise eligible to visit, the visitor shall be\nallowed a visit with the prisoner that allows personal contact.\n\n6. If the detector canine search, scanning, or wanding indicates the possibility\nof contraband, the visitor shall have the option of consenting to a search of\nhis person. If the visitor does not consent to a search of his person after only\na detector canine search indicates the possibility of contraband and the visitor\nis otherwise eligible to visit, he shall be allowed a visit with the prisoner\nthat does not allow personal contact. If the visitor does not consent to a\nsearch of his person after scanning or wanding indicates the possibility of\ncontraband, the Department may deny the visitor entry into the facility in\naccordance with the operating procedures regarding visiting privileges as\nauthorized by § 53.1-30.\n\n7. A visitor shall be allowed to leave the correctional facility and discontinue\nthe search process prior to the discovery of contraband. A visitor shall not be\nbarred from future visits because he stops a search prior to the discovery of\ncontraband or refuses to consent to a search of his person, including refusing\nto consent to a strip search or a search of any body cavity. Correctional\nfacility personnel shall not use the search procedure or search results as a\nthreat to bar future visits. The superintendent, warden, or other official in\ncharge of the facility shall ensure that correctional facility personnel do not\nuse the search procedure or search results as a threat to bar future visits.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 1170.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}