Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility - CoreCivic (ICE)

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Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility – CoreCivic (ICE) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 908-352-3776

This facility is for adult inmates.

Elizabeth Detention Facility is an Immigration Enforcement facility operated by the private prison company CoreCivic for minimum security ICE detainees. You may search for an inmate here through this link: Immigration Detainee Search

Elizabeth Detention Facility – CoreCivic (ICE) – Family Information

Inmate Mail Information

The Inmate/Resident Handbook will include information regarding the facility’s correspondence procedures. At a minimum, the handbook will include the following:

a. General reference to this policy and availability of the policy;

b. Mailing address of the facility;

c. Mailing address for funds;

d. Procedures for obtaining supplies and postage;

e. Instructions on how to address envelopes;

f. List of special correspondents;

g. Notification that as long as the inmate/resident bears the mailing cost, there is no limit on the volume of correspondence that the inmate/resident can send/receive or on the length, language, content, or source of correspondence or publications except when it is a clear violation of this policy;

h. Notification that general correspondence may be opened and inspected for security reasons;

i. Notification that special correspondence will only be opened in the presence of the inmate/resident;

j. Procedures for censoring mail; and

k. Package procedures (if applicable).

1. Indigent Inmates/Residents Upon request, indigent inmates/residents will be provided with supplies and postage for general and special correspondence as outlined below. A charge will not be placed against future deposits to the inmate/resident’s trust account to recover the costs of materials and postage provided to the inmate/resident while the inmate/residents was in indigent status.

a. General Correspondence

i. Indigent inmates/residents will be provided a sufficient amount of supplies (i.e. paper and writing utensils) to maintain community ties. ii. Indigent inmates/residents will also be provided postage in an amount equal to three (3) one (1) ounce letters per week, unless otherwise mandated by contractual requirements.

iii. The facility will not be responsible for providing additional postal services (e.g. registered mail, certified mail, insured mail, etc.), unless otherwise mandated by contractual requirements.

iv. AT THIS FACILITY, CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDING SUPPLIES AND POSTAGE TO INDIGENT INMATES/RESIDENTS FOR GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE ARE:

IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICE NDS (CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MAIL):

• THE FACILITY SHALL PROVIDE WRITING PAPER, WRITING IMPLEMENTS AND ENVELOPES TO ALL INMATES/DETAINEES, AT NO COST, REGARDLESS OF INDIGENT STATUS.

b. Special Correspondence

i. Indigent inmates/residents will be provided a sufficient amount of supplies (i.e. paper and writing utensils) to write to special correspondents identified in this policy.

ii. Indigent inmates/residents will also be provided postage in an amount equal to five (5) one (1) ounce letters per week, unless otherwise mandated by contractual requirements.

iii. The facility will not be responsible for providing additional postal services (i.e. registered, certified, or insured mail), unless otherwise mandated by contractual requirements.

iv. AT THIS FACILITY, CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVIDING SUPPLIES AND POSTAGE TO INDIGENT INMATES/RESIDENTS FOR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE ARE:

PER IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE), INDIGENT DETAINEES WILL BE PROVIDED POSTAGE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO SEVEN (7) ONE (1) OUNCE LETTERS PER WEEK IN LIEU OF PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN B.2.b.

ii ABOVE. IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICE NDS (CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MAIL), NOTARIES, CERTIFIED MAIL, AND MISCELLANEOUS NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH LEGAL MATTERS:

• IF AN INMATE/DETAINEE WITHOUT LEGAL REPRESENTATION REQUESTS CERTAIN SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A LEGAL MATTER, SUCH AS NOTARY PUBLIC OR CERTIFIED MAIL, AND HAS NOT FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND, OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, THE FACILITY WILL ASSIST THE INMATE/DETAINEE IN A TIMELY MANNER.

• WHEN TIMELY COMMUNICATION THROUGH THE MAIL IS NOT POSSIBLE, THE FACILITY ADMINISTRATOR/WARDEN MAY AUTHORIZE FOR A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF COMMUNICATION BY MEANS OF FACSIMILE DEVICE BETWEEN THE INMATE/DETAINEE AND HIS/HER DESIGNATED LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES. The information provided in this document is believed to be accurate, though it remains subject to change without notice. This document was published February 2013.

2. Non-Indigent Inmates/Residents Non-indigent inmates/residents may purchase supplies and postage through the facility’s commissary. The amount of supplies and postage that an inmate/resident may purchase and possess will be in accordance with the facility’s allowable property list.

3. Incoming Correspondence When required by contract, regulations, or law, inmates/residents may receive supplies and postage in incoming correspondence.

All general correspondence must be received in a standard legal or letter size envelope.

Incoming

At a minimum, the following information must be included on any incoming correspondence sent to inmates/residents:

a. Inmate/resident’s name;

b. Inmate/resident’s identification number;

c. Facility name and address; and

d. Name and full address of the sender.

NOTE: When the sender is an approved special correspondent, as outlined in this policy, the envelope should also be marked “Confidential”.

Outgoing

a. At a minimum, the following information must be included on any correspondence sent by inmates/residents:

i. Inmate/resident’s name;

ii. Inmate/resident’s number;

ii. Facility name and address;

iv. Name and full address of the receiver.

v. AT (ELIZABETH DETENTION CENETER), ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES ARE:

IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICE NDS (CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER MAIL), THE INMATE’S/DETAINEE’S HOUSING ASSIGNMENT MUST ALSO BE INCLUDED ON OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE.

b. The inmate/resident shall use their commitment name unless it has been legally changed.

c. Other than the facility address, inmates/residents may not include business names or position titles in their return address information.

d. All envelopes addressed to special correspondents, as outlined in this policy, must be marked “Confidential”. The information provided in this document is believed to be accurate, though it remains subject to change without notice. This document was published February 2013.

e. Drawings on outgoing correspondence are not allowed if they obstruct processing.

f. Failure to properly address an envelope may result in the opening and return of the correspondence to the inmate/resident.

g. All outgoing correspondence will include a statement to reflect that the correspondence originated from a correctional facility and that the facility is not responsible for the substance or contents.

Procedures for Sending Money

1. Inmates/residents will be allowed to have funds sent to them while incarcerated. Funds will be sent to inmates/residents at one (1) of the following locations:

a. To the facility;

b. To the company’s bank lockbox; or

c. To the contracting agency.

d. AT THIS FACILITY, FUNDS WILL BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING LOCATION: ELIZABETH DETENTION CENTER

e. AT THIS FACILITY, THE ADDRESS WHERE FUNDS WILL BE SENT IS:

625 EVANS STREET

ELIZABETH N.J. 07201

2. Funds received must be in the form of a money order or cashier check made payable to the inmate/resident. There is no limit to the amount of funds that the inmate/resident may receive on any given day, unless contractual requirements mandate otherwise.

a. Cash will not be accepted.

b. Personal checks will not be accepted.

c. Checks made out to multiple parties will not be accepted.

d. Foreign currency will not be accepted. e. Wireless transfer services (e.g. Western Union, etc.) are an appropriate means of transferring funds and may be used where available.

3. With the exception of personal checks received at the company’s lockbox, unaccepted funds received will be sent back to the sender with a 16-1B Unaccepted Funds Notification. Personal checks received at the company’s lockbox will be destroyed. a. In the event cash is received, it will be deposited and a check will be written to the sender for the amount of cash received.

4. Unless approved by the Warden/Administrator (e.g. authorized facility activities/events such as hobby craft sales, etc.), inmates/residents are not authorized to receive funds from the following individuals:

a. Other incarcerated inmates/residents;

b. Families or visitors of other incarcerated inmates/residents;

c. Ex-inmates/residents or their families;

d. Employees or their families; and

e. Unidentifiable sources.

5. Incoming Funds

All incoming funds must clearly indicate the inmate/resident’s name and identification number. a. Funds received at the facility may be included with incoming general correspondence. b. Funds received at the company’s bank lockbox may not have any other documents included in the envelope. Other documents or personal items received at the company’s lockbox will be destroyed. c. AT THIS FACILITY, CONTRACTING AGENCY PROCEDURES FOR INCOMING FUNDS ARE:

IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICE NDS (FUNDS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY), A RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED TO THE INMATE /DETAINEE FOR ALL FUNDS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. FUNDS WILL BE SAFE-GUARDED AND CREDITED TO THE INMATE’S/DETAINEE’S ACCOUNT. NON-U.S. CURRENCY WILL BE WILL INVENTORIED UTILIZING A G-589 OR EQUIVALENT OMS-GENERATED RECEIPT FOR EACH CURRENCY AND PLACED WITH THE INMATE’S/DETAINEE’S PERSONAL PROPERTY. THE INMATE/DETAINEE SHALL RECEIVE A COPY OF THE G-589 OR SIMILAR OMS-GENERATED RECEIPT.

6. Inmates/residents will receive a receipt for all funds received and posted to their trust account. In the event funds were received from multiple sources on the same day, the inmate/resident’s receipt will indicate each source separately.

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (908) 282-5700 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (908) 282-5700 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

visitation Info

Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility – CoreCivic (ICE) – Visitation

DAY	VISITATION TIME
MALES
Monday, Wednesday, Friday	5:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday	6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday	9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Sunday	9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Holidays	9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
FEMALES
Monday, Wednesday, Friday	9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday	5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday	4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday	4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Holidays	4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

All visitors must sign-in and produce appropriate identification prior to visit.
Space will be provided for coats and hats, as they WILL NOT be permitted in the Contact Visitation area.

Adult visitors must present a valid, verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility.

Minors who are visiting the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian (18 years or older). Minors must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting room, visiting room or any other area.

Attorney Visits

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:

Attorneys and/or paralegals may visit detainees seven days a week from 6 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., including holidays.

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at (908) 282-5700.

Clergy Visits

Clergy may visit detainees at any time, but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.

Visiting Restrictions

All family or other social visits are Non-contact.
No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.

Visitation Frequently Asked Questions
Who can visit?
Persons Allowed To Visit (General Visitation)

Individuals from the following categories may visit:
1. Immediate Family: Mothers, fathers, stepparents, foster parents, brothers, sisters, children, spouses, including common-law spouses. The information provided in this document is believed to be accurate, though it remains subject to change without notice.
2. Other Relatives, Friends, and Associates: Grandparents, uncles, aunts, in-laws, cousins, non-relatives and friends, unless posing a threat to the security and good order of the facility.
3. Minor Visitors: Children & stepchildren of detainee with positive identification (birth certificate). Note: Minors must remain under the direct supervision of an adult visitor, so not to disturb other visitors. Disruptive conduct by minors, accompanying adults or detainees may cause termination of the visit.

How do I get approved for visitation?
No approval needed.

How do minors get approved to visit?
No approval needed.

How long does the application process take?
There is no application process.

How will I know if I've been approved?
No approval needed.

What are the days and times of visitation?
Monday through Friday, 5pm to 10am
Sunday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Holidays, 9am to 5pm

How long can I visit?
Visitation is one-half hour (½ hr.) per Detainee

Where do I park when I arrive at the facility?
Parking Lot across the street from the facility is for Staff and Visitors The information provided in this document is believed to be accurate, though it remains subject to change without notice.

Will I be searched?
Yes. Visitors may be searched by a scanning device and/or frisked or pat searched. Belongings, such as purses and briefcases, may be searched.
1. Frisk or pat searches should be conducted in a dignified manner with as much privacy as can be reasonably afforded. Frisk searches of visitors should be done by officers of the same sex as the visitor if readily available.
2. If contraband is found, a report of the incident is to be submitted to the Warden/Facility Administrator or designee, the contraband confiscated and, where appropriate, the visitor detained for law enforcement officials.
3. No strip or body cavity searches of visitors will be conducted.

4. IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATIONAL DETENTION STANDARDS (NDS), THE INSPECTING OFFICER MAY ASK THE VISITOR TO OPEN A PURSE, BRIEFCASE, AND OTHER CONTAINER FOR VISUAL INSPECTION OF ITS CONTENTS. IF WARRANTED, THE OFFICER MAY ASK THE VISITOR TO REMOVE THE CONTENTS AND PLACE THEM ON A TABLE; HOWEVER, THE OFFICER MAY NOT PLACE HIS/HER HANDS INSIDE THE CONTAINER.

What is the dress code for visitation?
Visitor Dress Code
1. Female Visitors Age 12 and Older:
a. Shorts shall cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh are acceptable. Short-shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
b. Shirts and dresses shall extend to mid-thigh, seated.
c. Slits in shirts and dresses shall rise no higher than mid-thigh, seated.
d. Sheer (see-through) clothing is prohibited.
e. The top of clothing shall be no longer than the underarm in the front and back. Bare midriffs and strapless tops, tube tops, and swimsuits are prohibited.
f. Shoes shall be worn at all times.

g. Gang “colors” and other gang displays are prohibited.

2. Male Visitors Age 12 and Older:

a. Shorts shall cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh are acceptable. Short-shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
b. Shirts shall be worn at all times. Muscle shirts, bare mid-riff shirts and sleeveless shirts are prohibited. The information provided in this document is believed to be accurate, though it remains subject to change without notice.
c. Shoes shall be worn at all times.
d. Gang “colors” and other gang displays are prohibited

What type of identification do I need to be allowed into the facility?
Valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.

What items am I allowed to bring to visitation?
None

Visiting a correctional facility can feel intimidating, especially for the first-time visitor.
We have our own specific processes and rules, strict security measures, uniformed staff and words and terminology you may not be familiar with. Ultimately, those security features are in place to protect you and your loved one although we understand the potential for concern or confusion.
Our goal is for visitors to be comfortable, even impressed, by our facility environment during your visit. We simply ask that you help us maintain safety and security by following our important guidelines.
Contraband and Personal Items
When entering one of our facilities, typically, visitors are only permitted to bring in an ID and a small amount of cash ($10 or less) or a vending card for use at the facility’s vending machines during visitation. Please check with the facility prior to visitation for specific information on the use of vending cards or cash.
Proper identification must be a valid driver’s license or a government-issued ID. Some facilities require a birth certificate to be presented for children attending visitation, so check the requirement of the specific facility you are visiting.
For security reasons, visitors will not be allowed to take any personal items or gifts into the facility – including cell phones, wallets, purses, food, gifts, magazines or books.
Attempting to pass any of these unapproved items through security, even if accidentally, is illegal. Please leave all personal items in your vehicle. Some facilities offer lockers in the facility lobby for storing these items.
Additionally, attempting to introduce illegal contraband, such as cigarettes, drugs and alcohol, weapons and cell phones, to a facility inmate is considered a security threat and will result in immediate legal action.
While we understand that some of these rules may be inconvenient or difficult for our visitors, it is our responsibility to keep all of our inmates, staff and visitors safe. These strict safety procedures are very important and are just one of the many ways we maintain a safe and secure environment.
Visitation and Inmate Contact
There are different types of visitation, depending on the facility and the inmate’s classification – contact visitation, noncontact visitation and, occasionally, video visitation.
Most of our facilities have both contact and noncontact visitation. Appropriate contact with your loved one – such as hugging – varies. Our staff will help you understand the appropriate contact rules for your time with your loved one.
Typically contact visitation will be held in a large room with tables. Some facilities have a designated visitation room. Others may use educational rooms for visitation.
Noncontact visitation includes the use of individual booths with telephones for speaking with inmates.
Video Visitation
A small number of CoreCivic correctional facilities provide video visitation. Video visitation is especially useful for those inmates incarcerated in another state.
To participate in a video visitation session, the inmate must schedule a specific visitation time. CoreCivic will partner with a local church or other organization to provide the video visitation equipment and session for the visitor.
For specific information on video visitation, please contact the facility directly.
Preparing for Visitation

At CoreCivic, our dedicated team of corrections professionals goes to prison or jail every day. Uniforms, metal detectors, security measures, policies and procedures, closed doors and locked gates – it’s all second nature to us.
But if you’re not accustomed to correctional facility life, you may have some questions or concerns, maybe even nervousness, about what to expect if you are planning a visit.
Being well prepared for your visit to one of our correctional facilities can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that sometimes accompanies visitation.
From what to wear to what to leave behind, here are a few tips and instructions to help you prepare for your upcoming facility visit.
Visitation List and Approval
During the inmate orientation process, inmates will mail a visitation application form to the friends and family members who want to visit.
It is the inmate’s responsibility to mail the applications. Individuals who receive the application must complete the form and mail it back to the specific CoreCivic facility to initiate the approval process. All facility visitors must be approved through a background check prior to visiting an inmate.
Once the background checks are completed, the inmate is responsible for informing friends and family members that they are approved for visitation. Please ensure that, as a visitor, you have been approved before planning your visit.
Some CoreCivic facilities require that all visitations be scheduled in advance of the visitation appointment. Or there may be special requirements if an individual is in restricted housing. You may wish to contact the facility directly if you are unsure.
An inmate can change or update their list over time. If an inmate is transferred to another correctional facility, please check with the facility before visiting to ensure all records were transferred at the time of the move.
Passing Security
Every visitor who enters our correctional facilities must pass through our security measures before proceeding to a visitation area.
Visitors will be screened through a metal detector, much like what you would experience in an airport. However, our metal detector settings are much more sensitive than typical metal detectors. When preparing for your visit, please be sure to consider any metal on your clothing, including underwear and shoes.
Visitation Dress Code
Understandably, many of our visitors do not realize that what they are wearing can impact their ability to visit with their loved one.
Every facility has a strict dress code for visitors, and each facility’s dress code may vary, sometimes depending on the specific requirements of our government partner. Please review the specific dress code requirements for the facility you are visiting prior to your visit.
A few general guidelines that apply at every facility include:
Skirts and shorts must be knee-length or longer.
Only closed-toe shoes are permitted. No sandals or flip-flops.
No revealing or low cut shirts. No tank tops or halter tops.
No see-though or extremely tight clothing.
No strapless dresses. No swimsuits.
No gang or obscene messages or designs.
No hats or hoodies on shirts
No sunglasses or excessive jewelry.
Underwear must be worn at all times, but not visible.
Everyone must clear the metal detector.
Visiting from Out of State
If you must travel a great distance to visit your loved one, you want your limited visitation time to go smoothly. To help ensure you are prepared, we’ve assembled our most important advice for a successful visit.
Inmate Visitation Checklist
Before arriving at a correctional facility, think through the following checklist to ensure that you are prepared for visitation.
___ I am on my inmate’s approved visitation list.
___ I have returned my paperwork and passed the visitation background check.
___ I have my driver’s license or government ID.
___ I have planned my visit during the facility’s visitation hours.
___ I have packed facility dress code approved clothes and shoes.
___ I will clear the metal detector.
___ I have ensured that my car, purse and pockets are clear of any inappropriate items before entering the facility grounds.
___ I have checked to see if there are special visitation requirements, such as a scheduled appointment.