                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

VISITATION OF CERTAIN PRISONERS BY MINOR DEPENDENTS (§ 53.1-35.2)

A. The Director is authorized to prescribe reasonable rules regarding visitation
that shall include authorization of visitation by minor dependents of prisoners
who are primary caretakers of minor children with Level 1 or Level 2 security
classifications that include (i) opportunities for dependent children under the
age of 18 to visit their incarcerated primary caretakers at least twice per week
unless an employee of the Department has a reasonable belief that the child (a)
may be harmed during visitation or (b) poses a security risk due to a gang
affiliation, prior conviction, or past violation of a correctional
facility&#8217;s contraband policy; (ii) the elimination of restrictions on the
number of dependent children under the age of 18 that may be permitted
visitation privileges; and (iii) authorization for contact visits for prisoners
who are primary caretakers of minor children.

B. Nothing in this section shall prevent the Department from refusing visitation
of a minor child based on an individualized determination by the Director,
warden, or superintendent that such visitation presents security or operational
risks.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 526.