Families Outside Orientation Guide

PAYMENT INFORMATION:

You MUST pay in ADVANCE! Payments should be made as early as possible as tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Families Outside staff will NOT hold seats. Your name is NOT put on the trip roster until your payment is received and processed by the office staff.

Cash, Money Orders, Credit / Debit cards are accepted for payment. Only 3 people per inmate are permitted to visit at a time on a 25

passenger bus. 5 people are permitted on 47-56 passenger buses.

To pay by mail:

Send a money order made out to Families Outside for the total cost of your ticket/s to:

Families OutsideC/O Family Services of Western PA6401 Penn Avenue, 2nd FloorPittsburgh, PA 15206

Along with your money order, on a separate piece of paper, please write your name, the names and ages of each person you are purchasing a ticket for, your phone number, the name and date of the trip you are paying for and the inmate’s name and DOC number.

April 2015 Trip Prices

Institution Fare Leave Pgh.

Albion / Cambridge Springs

Benner / Rockview

$25 Adult / $20 Child

$25 Adult / $20 Child

6:45 AM

6:45 AM

Camp Hill $35 Adult / $25 Child 6:00 AM

Coal Township / Muncy $35 Adult / $25 Child 4:00 AM

Dallas / Retreat $35 Adult / $25 Child 3:30 AM

Forest

Frackville / Mahanoy

$25 Adult / $20 Child

$25 Adult / $20 Child

7:00 AM

4:00 AM

Graterford $35 Adult / $25 Child 3:30 AM

Greene / Fayette $25 Adult / $20 Child 8:00 AM

Huntingdon / Smithfield $35 Adult / $25 Child 6:45 AM

Houtzdale $25 Adult / $20 Child 7:00 AM

MercerSomerset / Laurel Highlands

$25 Adult / $20 Child$25 Adult / $20 Child

8:00 AM8:00 AM

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6282

CANCELLATION POLICY:

1) All cancellations must be made at least ONE BUSINESS DAY (24 Hours) before your trip date

2) All cash and money order tickets that are canceled ONE BUSINESS DAY (24 Hours) before your trip date will be eligible for either a refund or can be carried over to the next trip and will not be extended beyond that point

3) Online payment canceled ONE BUSINESS DAY (24 Hours) before your trip date

To cancel your trip:

Call the office at 412-661-1670 ext 608 or ext 628 (If no one is available, please leave a voicemail message)

You must call the office and specify what you plan to do with your cancelled ticket prior to the next trip. The office will not assume that you want to be carried over to the next available trip. All carry-over requests must be made by phone or in person to the Families Outside office.

On rare occasions, Families Outside will cancel trips due to weather, low ridership, driver illness or mechanical breakdown.

When Families Outside cancels a trip, you will be notified at least one day in advance. Therefore, it is vital that you make sure the office has an up-to-date daytime phone number so we can notify you of any cancellation.

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6283

NO-SHOW POLICY:

If you fail to cancel your trip in advance, you are considered a “No Show” and will lose your money for the ticket. We will not refund your money or carry your money over to the next trip.

If you are a “no-show” for a trip, meaning you did not ride the bus and you did not cancel one business day (24 Hours) ahead of time, you will not be refunded your money or be permitted to carry your ticket over to the next trip.

WHERE TO MEET THE BUS:

You are to be at the pick-up spot 20 minutes before the bus is scheduled to leave.

Passengers will be picked up and dropped off at the corner of Fifth Ave and Ross St behind BNY Mellon (See the map below).

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6284

LEAVING THE INSTITUTION:

BE ON TIME WHEN LEAVING YOUR VISIT.

If you are unsure about what time you need to be out, ask your coordinator or driver. Do not rely on other passengers for information about when to leave.

IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS:

Most institutions require two (2) forms of ID

You Must Bring:

1. STATE ISSUED PHOTO ID CARD or VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE

Your State Issued ID must have the same address on it that is listed on the visiting list.

If you have a different address on your ID, you must get a change of address card to accompany your ID or have the inmate change your address on his/her visiting list.

2. An official document with your full name and address on it. A utility or phone bill will work well as a second form.

3. If you are bringing children into the institution:

You must have the child’s original state-issued birth certificate AND Social Security card.

Please be sure you have completed and submitted your 313 forms for each child you will be bringing into the institution

SHOW COORDINATOR ID PRIOR TO BOARDING THE BUS

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6285

THINGS TO KNOW:

o If you have a serious medical condition, or you are pregnant, we may require a note from your doctor indicating it is safe for you to travel.

o If you are denied access to the Institution for any reason, you will not be permitted to wait on the bus during the visit. It is not the responsibility of the driver, coordinator or FO staff to ensure your successful entrance into the SCI.

o If you need to take medication during your visit, you must bring a doctor’s note and the medication in the ORIGINAL PRESCRIPTION bottle.

o We suggest you bring a roll of quarters or small bills not totaling more than

$30.00 for vending machine use.

Most institutions require you to convert your money into tokens. Most Jails recommend not bringing anything larger than $5 bills. Bring money to put as a deposit on a locker for personal items.

NOTE: at some institutions, locker deposits are as much as $10

o Inmates are not permitted to handle money. If you wish to give funds to your inmate, you must go through JPay at www.jpay.com

VISITATION RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Transportation Component of the Families Outside Program is only one part of a support program of families and friends of inmates in State and Federal prisons. We reserve the right to terminate any of our services for any reason, specifically if we suspect you are violating our rules, those of the Department of Corrections or

those of the institution you are visiting.

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6286

DOC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING A STATE INSTITUTION:

Your loved-one could be sent to the Restricted Housing (The Hole) and your visits could be terminated or suspended if you violate the dress or conduct codes.

Any of the following WILL prevent you from entering the SCI:

1. Violation of Institution and/or Families Outside regulations.

2. Possession or use of alcohol or drugs.

Institution personnel WILL use drug wands and/or drug dogs.

Drug wands WILL detect the slightest amount of drug residue on your skin or in your handbags, clothing, etc.

Certain scented lotions, body oils, perfumes, hair pomades, and other scented items may set off the drug wand. Do NOT use these items the day of your trip.

3. Taking contraband into the Institution, including but not limited to alcohol, drugs, weapons, knives, food beverages, cosmetics, money or other items prohibited by the Institution.

4. Sexual indiscretion in the visiting room - a brief kiss upon entering and the same leaving is acceptable.

5. Violation of Dress Code

6. Violation of Metal Detector Codes

7. SCI’s WILL deny your visit for violation of ANY rule / regulation enforced by the institution.

ALL RULES MUST BE ADHERED TO IN ORDER TO ASSURE ADMITTANCE TO THE SCI.

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6287

METAL DETECTORS:

o If you fail to pass through the metal detector on your first pass, THE JAIL HAS THE RIGHT TO GRANT YOU A NON-CONTACT VISIT ONLY.

o If you fail to pass through the metal detector on your first pass, THE JAIL HAS THE RIGHT TO DENY YOUR VISIT.

o Do not wear ANY hairstyle that requires the use of bobby pins, or any metal hair clip.

o Do not wear jewelry that is NOT 14KT gold.

o Families Outside recommends that you do not wear ANY jewelry to the institution.

o DO NOT WEAR AN UNDERWIRE BRA! IT WILL SET OFF THE METAL DETECTOR.

o Sports bras are recommended.

DRESS CODE:

If you violate the dress code, you will NOT be permitted access to the SCI and your visit WILL BE DENIED.

Your loved-one could be sent to the Restricted Housing (The Hole) and your visits could be terminated or suspended if you violate the dress or conduct codes.

The below-listed items are NOT acceptable dress for an institution:

1. Sleeveless shirts

2. Halter tops

3. Skirts

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6288

All skirts must come below the knee NO skirts with slits NO mini-skirts or tight-fitting skirts

4. Hooded Garments

5. Shorts

Shorts must be below the knee No tight-fitting shorts

6. Spandex and/or Lycra tops and pants

7. Tight fitting or see-through pants and shirts

8. Low-cut shirts, Low-rise jeans, see-through or sheer tops

9. If you can hold up your arms and your midriff shows, do not wear that shirt!

NO BARE or EXPOSED MIDRIFFS!

10. No see-through tops or pants

If you violate the dress code, you will NOT be permitted access to the SCI and your visit WILL BE DENIED.

THIS IS A FAMILY BASED PROGRAM!

**Disruptive behavior on the bus or in the office will not be tolerated**

** This includes fighting, inappropriate language or any type of negligence or abuse**

FOR COUNSELING SERVICES, PLEASE CALL OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER: 1-888-222-4200

Families Outside www.fswp.org6401 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15206

412-661-1670 x 6289