Bringing Children to Visit at Columbia County Prison: Supervision Rules and Visitor Limits
Visiting with kids takes extra planning. At Columbia County Prison, the key things to get right are supervision, where juveniles need to be during the visit, and how many people can come along.
All children under age 10 must be supervised at all times during your visit to Columbia County Prison. That includes while you're waiting, checking in, and moving through the visiting area. Stay close the entire time so no child is ever left unattended.
Note: Everyone entering the facility goes through a search and metal-detector screening. If you're bringing young children, keep them within reach during check-in so you can supervise them through the process.
Columbia County Prison expects juveniles to stay settled during visits. Kids must remain seated or no more than an arm's length from their parent or legal guardian at all times. If your child needs a break, handle it from your seat or keep them right beside you to stay within the rule.
Tip: The arm's-length rule for juveniles overlaps with the "supervised at all times" rule for kids under 10. Simplest approach: sit close and keep children right next to you the whole visit.
The visiting area has limited space, so each inmate can have a maximum of two adult visitors at a time for on-site visits. If more than two adults want to visit, you'll need to take turns rather than going in together.
Virtual (off-site) visits have a participant limit too. A maximum of two people can join: either two adults, or one adult and one child. If you want to include multiple children, you'll need to schedule separate visits since only one child can attend per session with one adult.
- Choose who is attending before you leave. For on-site visits, no more than two adults can be in the visiting area per inmate. For virtual visits, only two total participants are allowed (two adults, or one adult and one child).
- Assign one adult as the primary supervisor. Children under 10 must be supervised at all times, so decide who will stay close and keep eyes on the child from start to finish.
- Plan your seating with the juvenile rule in mind. Juveniles must remain seated or within an arm’s length of their parent or legal guardian for the entire visit, so pick a spot where that is realistic.
- Set expectations with kids ahead of time. Explain that they will need to stay seated or right next to you the whole visit, and that you will be staying close to follow facility rules.
Practical Tips and Checkin
- ✓ Bring a valid photo ID for each adult visitor age 17 and over.
- ✓ Keep your group within the limits: on-site visits allow up to two adult visitors per inmate; virtual visits allow up to two people total (two adults, or one adult and one child).
- ✓ Decide ahead of time who will supervise any children during the visit, especially kids under 10 who must be supervised at all times.
Reminder: All visitors must sign the visitor log. Adults (17 and over) need valid photo identification. Everyone goes through a search and metal-detector screening before entry.
When you're bringing children, the smoothest visits come down to not rushing check-in. Give yourself extra time to sign the visitor log, show ID (required for visitors 17 and over), and go through screening, all while keeping kids close and supervised.
Find an Inmate at Columbia County Prison, PA
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
