What Safeguard Training Covers (And How NHDOC Handles Visits When an Inmate Has Crimes Against Children)

Safeguard Training starts with the basics: visiting room policy and rules. Minor visits are handled differently than adult-only visits, and NHDOC expects accompanying adults to know what's allowed, what isn't, and what staff will be watching for.

The training also covers how to prepare a child for visitation. If you've never brought a child into a correctional visiting room, this section can make a real difference - helping you set expectations, keep the visit calm, and make sure the child knows what to do if they feel uncomfortable.

Another topic: grooming behaviors. In this context, grooming refers to patterns of behavior used to test boundaries or build inappropriate trust. The training helps adults recognize these behaviors so they can respond quickly and keep the visit focused on safe, appropriate contact.

Safeguard Training also addresses coercion and offending cycles. The goal isn't to overwhelm you with clinical language - it's to give you a clearer picture of how pressure, manipulation, and repeated patterns can show up in relationships, including during visits. That way, you're better prepared to protect a child and speak up when something feels off.

NHDOC's minor visitation process is designed to protect safety, security, and the well-being of children. Safeguard Training supports that goal by making sure accompanying adults understand the rules and know how to report problems. This process can also include risk-based restrictions. For inmates incarcerated for crimes against children - or with a history of such offenses - NHDOC may deny visits with children, impose tighter limits, or require additional safeguards before approving any visit.

When an inmate has a conviction or history involving crimes against children, NHDOC can handle minor visitation in several ways. Visits with children may be denied outright. They may be allowed with tighter restrictions. Or NHDOC may require extra safeguards - like having the accompanying adult complete Safeguard Training - before approving a child's visit.

If you've been told the inmate must have a trained chaperone during visitation, that chaperone has to complete NHDOC Safeguard Training first. You can't just show up as the accompanying adult - this requirement must be met ahead of time.

• ✓ If you want to bring minor children into an NHDOC Visitation Room, you must complete the Safeguard Training Application.
• ✓ The person who completes Safeguard Training must also be an approved visitor - and they will be the only person permitted to bring minor visitors in for visits.

Questions Families

• ✓ Is this inmate required to have a trained chaperone during visitation? If so, who is allowed to serve as the chaperone once they complete Safeguard Training?
• ✓ For my situation, do I need to complete the Safeguard Training Application in order to bring minors into the visitation room?
• ✓ After I complete Safeguard Training, do I also need to be approved as a visitor before I can bring a child in?
• ✓ Will I be the only person permitted to bring the minor visitors in for visits once I complete the training?
• ✓ Are there any limits on minor visitation for this inmate because of a conviction or history of crimes against children (denied, further restricted, or additional safeguards required)?
• ✓ If additional safeguards are required, what exactly are they and how will I know the child is approved under those conditions?

Unclear about what's allowed? Concerned about something that happened or was said during a visit? Don't try to handle it alone. Safeguard Training covers how to report an incident - use that guidance and reach out to NHDOC staff for clear direction on approval status and any visit conditions.