The Ormiston Families team is based in a bright and welcoming visitors' Centre just outside the perimeter walls of the prison. Approval for your visit can be denied if the prison believes that your visit could pose a risk to prison discipline, security, or to the prisoner's rehabilitation. I was relieved when a Prison Fellowship staff member motioned at me to join his conversation with an inmate.

It is important to arrive at the prison at least half an hour prior to the visit time. The details of all people including the names, addresses and ages of children intending to prison visit should be given when booking a visit. This is true even for the prisoner's children.

Prisoners are allowed to make phone calls from payphones installed in the prison, and can call up to 10 approved phone numbers. Prisoners are allowed at least one half-hour visit each week - exactly how many visits and how many visitors, will depend on the prison.

Only two visitors plus one child under five years of age, or one adult and two children under five years of age, will be permitted to visit any one inmate. The inmates all sit on one side and the visitors on the other side in rigid plastic chairs. If the jail lets attorneys meet with inmates face-to-face, that is the best option.

Visitors may only schedule one video visit per day. Visits for inmates admitted to the Tri-City Medical Center Hospital Guard Unit are subject to approval of the watch commander at the Vista Detention Facility. The visitor center has a change machine for those visitors who need to break large bills.

The officer usually announces the departure 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time to allow the visitors to prepare to leave. On arrival at the visitor centre, (or prison reception where this facility is not available) visitors should have their visiting order checked by staff.