Contact vs. Non-Contact Visits at NENMCF: What 'Immediate Family' and Proof of Kinship Means
Planning an in-person visit at NENMCF and hoping for contact? Two things determine whether you'll get one: whether you qualify as "immediate family" under NMCD policy, and whether proof of that relationship has been submitted and accepted.
At NENMCF, in-person barrier visits are non-contact by default. Physical contact is only allowed when the visitor is an immediate family member and proof of kinship is on file. If you don't meet both requirements, your visit will be non-contact (barrier).
These in-person visits happen Monday through Friday and must be scheduled at least a week ahead. There's also a two-day visit option: two hours on the first day and two hours on the second. The days must be consecutive, and the same visitors need to attend both days.
Note: You cannot visit unless you are on the inmate’s current approved visitation list.
NMCD has a specific definition of "Immediate Family Member" for visitation purposes. It covers the inmate's legal spouse, natural parents, adoptive parents, stepparents or foster parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, and children (natural, adopted, step, or grandchildren). If your relationship falls into one of those categories, you may be eligible for a contact visit, provided proof of kinship has been submitted.
Heads up: Aunts, uncles, and cousins are not considered “immediate family” for visitation unless a bona fide foster relationship exists.
Being immediate family alone isn't enough for a contact visit. NENMCF's rule requires both immediate family status and proof of kinship on file. If the facility doesn't have your proof, or it wasn't accepted, you'll get a non-contact visit.
- Call Family Constituent Services (or the facility visiting coordinator). Ask what they accept as proof of kinship for your specific relationship.
- Have the right identifying information ready. When you submit an inquiry, be prepared to provide the offender’s full name, NMCD number, date of birth and/or Social Security number (if available), and your relationship to the offender.
- Bring exactly what they tell you to bring. Follow their instructions on what documentation is required and how it needs to be presented.
- Confirm you are approved to visit. Even with proof of kinship, you still must be on the inmate’s current approved visitation list before you can visit.
If Told Noncontact
- ✓ Confirm you are on the inmate’s current approved visitation list.
- ✓ Confirm the facility has you listed as immediate family (as NMCD defines it).
- ✓ Confirm proof of kinship was provided and accepted (if it was submitted, ask whether it is on file).
- ✓ Confirm your scheduled visit details, since in-person visits must be scheduled at least a week in advance.
If you still can't get a clear answer about why your visit is non-contact, reach out to Family Constituent Services and ask what's missing (approved list status, immediate-family status, or proof of kinship). Have the offender's full name, NMCD number, date of birth and/or Social Security number (if available), and your relationship ready, since that's what they need for inquiries. One thing to know: if your questions involve medical or mental health information, NMCD won't release it without a current, signed, witnessed or notarized release from the offender authorizing disclosure.
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