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Understanding Visit Limits at Columbia County Prison: On-site and Virtual Rules

Planning visits gets easier when you know the limits upfront. Here's how often someone at Columbia County Prison can receive on-site and virtual visits—and how custody status can change things.

• 2 min read • columbiapa.org
Understanding Visit Limits at Columbia County Prison: On-site and Virtual Rules

At Columbia County Prison, residents are permitted one (1) on-site (face-to-face) visit per week. If you’re coordinating with other family members or friends, plan ahead so you don’t accidentally use up the weekly in-person visit slot.

For residents in general population housing, up to three (3) off-site virtual visits are allowed per week - scheduled on Tuesday or Thursday only. If multiple people want to visit, coordinate early. Decide by Monday whether you're aiming for Tuesday or waiting until Thursday.

Virtual visit availability varies by housing unit. Residents in units A, B, B-ISO, C, DN, DS, F, and Medical can receive virtual visits seven days a week during these time blocks: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM–9:30 PM. Pick a time within these windows when scheduling.

Note: Residents in Administrative Custody or Disciplinary Status cannot receive face-to-face visits unless Administration grants approval.

Understanding Visit Limits at Columbia County Prison: On-site and Virtual Rules

Practical Family Tips

  • ✓ Treat the one (1) weekly on-site visit as a shared resource - coordinate with other visitors so one person doesn’t unintentionally take the only in-person slot for the week.
  • ✓ If your loved one is in general population, plan virtual visits around the Tuesday/Thursday schedule, and decide how to use the “up to three (3)” virtual visits based on who needs time that week.
  1. Confirm the housing unit - Virtual visitation is listed as available seven days a week for units A, B, B-ISO, C, DN, DS, F, and Medical.
  2. Pick a time inside the unit’s daily blocks - Use 8:30 AM–12:30 PM, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM, or 4:30 PM–9:30 PM as your scheduling windows.
  3. Build your plan around those windows - Once you know the unit and time block, it’s easier to coordinate who uses the weekly on-site visit versus who uses virtual visits.

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