Why Your Visit Might Be Shortened or Canceled at York CI (Holidays, Quarantine, and Cleaning Protocols)

York CI doesn't hold visits on state-observed holidays. Show up on a holiday, and you'll find the visiting room closed. If you're juggling a long drive, childcare, or time off work, check the schedule before you leave. Holiday closures are predictable - and preventable - reasons for a wasted trip.

Quarantine status can block a visit even if you're approved. Anyone on quarantine can't participate in social visits until the Health Services Unit clears them. You could arrive ready to visit and still be turned away because of their current status - not yours.

Visits can also feel shorter because York CI currently limits in-person visits to 30 minutes (until further notice). This allows time for disinfecting between visits. Even when your visit goes forward, expect a quick, focused window - especially if you're used to longer sessions.

• ✓ Plan for a 30-minute in-person visit window (until further notice), since time is set aside for disinfecting.
• ✓ Keep your group small: no more than two (2) visitors are allowed per visit, including children.
• ✓ Give yourself extra buffer time so screening/check-in doesn’t eat into an already short visit.

Before you travel, confirm your visit is set and the schedule is current. Hours vary by facility, so check the assigned facility page rather than relying on last month's info. And remember: you must be on the approved visiting list before you can visit. If you're not approved yet, the visit won't happen - no matter what the calendar says.

1. Check the inmate’s assigned facility schedule - visiting schedules vary by facility, so use the current schedule for the facility where they’re housed.
2. Confirm you’re actually approved to visit - you must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list before you can visit.
3. If you’re doing a video visit, verify your email and wait for confirmation - you need a valid email address to schedule, and it isn’t scheduled until you receive confirmation from the facility.

If your in-person visit gets canceled or runs shorter than expected, you have options. Video visits are free and can save you another long trip if the issue is temporary. Keep the scheduling rules in mind: you need a valid email address, and your video visit isn't confirmed until you hear back from the facility. Don't treat a request as a guaranteed appointment.

• ✓ Reschedule your in-person visit for a non-holiday date and re-check the current visiting schedule for the inmate’s assigned facility.
• ✓ Set up a free video visit as a backup: use a valid email address and wait for the facility’s confirmation before you count it as scheduled.
• ✓ If quarantine is the issue, plan to try again after the person you’re visiting is cleared by the Health Services Unit.