Stopping by for a visit?

The instructions below will help you prepare for your visit to our facility. Please read these guidelines and procedures carefully. You may contact us if you have more questions.

Visitation Guidelines and Procedures

Business Hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM- 4:30 PM.  Visitation times for the youth are Tuesday evenings, 7:00 P.M.–8:00 P.M. & Saturday afternoons, 2:30 P.M.–4:30 P.M. for residents with last names ‘A’ through ‘L’ and residents in the Post-Disposition Program sentenced to 3 months or longer.  Thursday evenings, 7:00 P.M.–8:00 P.M. & and Sunday afternoons, 2:30 P.M.–4:30 P.M. are reserved for residents with last names ‘M’ through ‘Z’.  Visitors may enter at the scheduled starting time only or at 3:30 during weekend visitation.  Only authorized visitors with official Merrimac Center business shall be allowed in any secure areas of the Center. Please follow the guidelines listed below to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff and residents.

·         Firearms, knives and chemical weapons are prohibited in the facility.  Place any weapons in your vehicle or in the gun boxes provided on the wall in the first lobby entrance.

·         Personal items are not allowed in the building and should be left in your car.  Coats & sweaters may be put in a locker.  ID’s and keys of visitors may be held at the reception area until the visitor exits the building.

·         Residents are permitted visits by their parents, legal guardians and grandparents only.  Only two visitors are allowed in the secure area at any time with the exception of level 3’s earning one extra visitor on the weekday visit.  Substituting or exchanging visitors will only occur at next entrance time (3:30) on the weekend visit.

·         Level 3 residents may have one extra family member visitor during the weekday visit. 

·         Visitation will be monitored at all times. Visitation may be denied or terminated for reasons of safety and security.

·         Persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol or who are verbally or physically abusive will be denied visitation or asked to leave the facility.

·         All soft cover books brought in for a resident are to be given to a staff member.  Residents are allowed a limit of three at a time in their assigned locker.  Items will be screened and searched by staff.  Items will be returned to the delivering person if not approved.  Personal sneakers may only be exchanged if prior approval is received from the Supervisor as a result of the current shoes being worn out.

·         No persons under the age of seven will be admitted without prior approval of an Assistant Director or the Director.  Children under 12 may not be left unattended by an adult in the waiting area, in personal vehicles or on the grounds.

·         Leaving and re-entering visitation is discouraged and shall be permitted only with supervisor approval.  Please use the facilities before entering the secure area.

·         No tobacco products or smoking are permitted inside the Detention Center or on the grounds.

·         Haircuts may only be given by licensed barbers or hairdressers.  You may leave $12 for the resident to utilize Merrimac’s barber.

·         Visitors must be appropriately dressed, ie. no tank tops, halter tops, short shorts, etc.

Procedure

·         Visitors shall identify themselves and the purpose of their business.

·         Show picture ID (Driver's License) and another form of identification with affiliation if applicable, (i.e. Clergy Card, Barber's/Hairdresser's License)

·         Sign-in on the Visitor's Log Book

·         Walk through the metal detector before entering the secure area. 

·         All persons, briefcases, packages and/or paperwork are subject to be searched at any time.

The phone number to reach any of the Merrimac Center program staff is 757-887-0225