Understanding Bristol County's Two-Visit-Per-Week Rule
Bristol County allows two social visits per week, but there's a catch that trips people up. Here's how the rule actually works—and how to avoid a wasted trip.
Bristol County inmates can receive two 60-minute social visits per week. That's the weekly cap - one hour per visit. Here's what catches people off guard: those two visits can't happen on the same day. Even if you have time for back-to-back sessions, the facility won't allow it. Think of it as "two separate days per week, up to one hour each" rather than "two visits whenever you can fit them in."
Quick rule: Two 60-minute social visits per week, and the two visits must be on different days.
Check the current schedule before you go. Visit times are posted in each facility's lobby and on the Bristol County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) website. If you're juggling work, childcare, or a long drive, confirming hours ahead of time saves frustration.
Want to confirm directly? Call the Bristol County Sheriff's Office switchboard at (508) 995-6400. This is especially helpful if you're seeing conflicting info online or just want peace of mind before leaving home.
Bad weather can change plans fast. The Sheriff's Office may cancel or adjust visits, and they direct families to call the switchboard during storms. Before heading out in rough conditions, call (508) 995-6400 to confirm visits are running. A quick call beats driving out only to find the visit canceled.
Note: If storms are in the forecast, check for cancellations before you travel - visits may be canceled or adjusted.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Check the current visiting schedule before you go (lobby postings, the BCSO website, or the main switchboard at (508) 995-6400).
- ✓ Plan your two weekly visits on different days - don’t expect to use both visits on the same date.
- ✓ If weather looks rough, call the switchboard to confirm visits are still on.
- ✓ Build in extra travel time when conditions are bad so you’re not rushing and risking a missed visit.
The "different days" rule is where most scheduling problems happen. Show up expecting to use both visits in one day, and you'll only get one - then you're making another trip later that week. Spacing visits across two days also gives you flexibility. If one day gets canceled or rescheduled, you still have a backup without losing your chance to visit that week.
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