As some of you know we have been working on getting the visiting at Watonga fixed for over 6 months. Sometimes you just have to take the time and count how the visiting room is setup to hold inmates. If any other facilities are having this same problem Someone that visit there count the tables and how many sit at each table and let us know. Hopefully they will make the changes they have said they will. 1st is their response to my message listed further down.

Ms. Powell,

I have met with the staff at DbCF on the visiting issues that you raised. I reviewed the number of people that are allowed in the visiting room at one time. I counted 114 maximum at one time. I have discussed this with Warden Hightower and Associate Warden Bradley. They agree that the number of people allowed in the room needs to be increased especially considering the size of the population at DbCF. They are also recommending that the number of visiting days be increased to take into consideration the different populations at the facility.

Associate Warden Bradley is going to draft a new visiting policy taking all of the above factors into consideration. They anticipate that the draft of the policy will be ready next week for review. They will also need to look at staffing issues so be advised that will impact the total number allowed in the visiting room at one time. Associate Warden Bradley is proposing that two officers be permanently assigned to the visiting room.

The changes that the staff at DbCF are proposing will give inmates more of an opportunity to visit. Visiting time will be set by level, and the staff is proposing that Levels 3 and 4 receive the most visiting time. I support reinforcing those inmates who have attained the highest levels. I will review their draft proposal when it is completed. Any new approved policy will be placed on the inmate bulletin boards so that the inmates can advise their families. I believe changes will be made within the next month.

Visiting time at Watonga is still not allowing enough time to the inmates under the DOC OP's that they are to follow under the contracts,

It appears that the way the tables are set up in the visiting room is the main cause of the problem. They have posted in the visiting room that it will hold 253, but they have 2 squares set up using a total of 27 small rectangle tables that they only allow a maximum on 2 inmates to sit at which comes to only 54 inmates the other side of the table holds the visitors which is normally 2 adults sometimes 1 or 2 children. That would be at the least 108 people. They have then 8 other tables for larger family groups. again 1 inmate with 3 to 4 adult visitors. which at the most would be 40 more people. For a total of only about 150 people. The way they have it sit up only about 60 inmates can visit at a time and with over 1000 Oklahoma inmates at the facility. They should be allowing the maximum amount to visit. They had this weekend at least 6 staff in the room working.

Please advise how soon they will redo the visiting room in order to allow the maximum amount to visit at a time. It is very unfair that the families must drive long distances in order to visit and then have such a short visit just because Diamondback doesn't want to sit the room up for the amount allowable.

Lynn Powell President OK CURE