Clients may be allowed to have a cell phone in the program once they meet some basic requirements of the program.  Eligibility to possess a cell phone will be discussed with their case manager during their intake and the steps necessary to complete all requirements will be explained.  It is a privilege to have a cell phone in this program.  Any misuse or non-compliance with the rules may result in the cell phone being confiscated for a period of time.  If a cell phone is found on the client prior to all of the requirements being met, it will be confiscated and donated to charity.

If a client possesses a cell phone upon entry, they should either make arrangements for a friend or family member to keep it for a period of time, or they can turn it over to staff to hold in the confiscated property cabinet.  Once they have met all of the requirements and the case manager has approved it, they will be given back this cell phone and/or those individuals holding the phone for the client may make arrangements to deliver the phone to the client.  This must be arranged in advance and approved by the case manager.

Here at Hilltop House Community Corrections, clients live in a dormitory style setting with another roommate; they share an open closet space and a 4-drawer dresser. Space is limited. This is especially important if clients need to downsize their personal property. Clients are allowed personal property that does not exceed filling two large trash bags when arriving to the facility.  This property will be inventoried, and any new property accumulated during their stay, must be added to the inventory document.  A client having excess property will be asked to take it out of the facility.  Rooms are regularly checked for orderliness, contraband and excess property.

Here is a list of some suggested personal property:

• Clothing (e.g., shirts, pants, sleepwear, sweaters, shorts, jacket, socks, undergarments) and hangers
• Hygiene items (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, soap or body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, shaving cream, feminine products, deodorant)
• Hygiene bag
• Clip-on reading lamp (optional)
• Books (optional; not too excessive)
• Alarm clock and watch
• Shoes and shower shoes
• Mp3 Player with FM Radio and headphones (optional)
• Towel and washcloth (optional)
• Blanket (optional; no comforters and no pillows)
• Bike and bike lock (optional)
• Laundry detergent and bleach
• One bowl and one cup (microwave safe)
• Tobacco products (optional; clients preference)
• Food and Beverages (optional; non-perishable foods (e.g., coffee, tea, sugar, coffee creamer, snacks (client preference))

Family and friends may drop off personal property and/or food with correctional staff at the front desk during regular visiting hours; after-hours requires prior arrangements with correctional staff, and it’s only to drop off personal items and/or food. All personal belongings will be searched upon entrance by correctional staff before they are given to the intended client. Any restricted item(s) will be confiscated, and a confiscated property form will be generated. The item(s) will then be stored in the supervisor’s office and the items will then be returned to the client on the day of discharge. A copy of the confiscated property form will be given to the client and a copy will stay with the property.

Drop off times for personal property and food are between the hours of:

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
7 days a week

• Any money dropped off will automatically be deposited into the intended clients account and a receipt will be attached to the deposit slip and a copy will be given to the visitor if the intended client is not at Hilltop House at the time of drop-off. A receipt will be given to the intended client.
• You may not come up and visit with anyone when dropping off items. The visit has to be pre-arranged and you have to be on the client’s visiting list prior to visitation.
• No outside food and/or drinks is permitted. This includes homemade food and restaurant/fast food.

It is the client’s responsibility to completed the visitation application in order for family and friends to come visit; however, to make the process go faster and a bit easier, here are some of the information a client would need:

1. First and Last name(s) of the visitor(s)
2. Date of birth(s)
3. Issued state ID number(s); if you get approved, we will need a copy of your photo ID when you first get to Hilltop House.
4. List of criminal record(s), if any?

Only a client’s case manager may approve a visitor and/or visitors. It usually takes up to about a week or less to get visitor(s) approved. All visits must be pre-arranged and approved by a client’s case manager prior to visitations on-ground. If you come up to Hilltop House after-hours or on a weekend, and you are not approved, your visit will be denied. You must have proper identification when visiting; if you do not have a photo ID, you will be turned away.

Visitors who are less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and visitation must be pre-arranged with the client’s case manager due to these visits being arranged so that it may be held in a conference room. These visits are also held only on the weekdays (Monday through Friday) excluding weekends and holidays.

Hilltop House encourages family and friends to visit during a loved one’s stay. General visiting hours are from:

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

7 days a week

2-hour maximum per day

Each client is allowed no more than 2 visitors at a time; and you are allowed to visit no more than 2 hours per day.

You will be required to sign in upon arrival and to sign out prior to leaving at the front desk. Each visitor will be issued a visitation badge which must be visible at all times, and it must be worn for the duration of the visit.

As an alternative to visitation on facility grounds, loved ones may make arrangements to meet the Hilltop resident in the Durango community.  The activity, location, persons included and length of the visit/social pass must be discussed and approved by the client’s case manager.  Clients should make these arrangements well in advance (at least 24 hours) of a loved one’s visit so that all arrangements can be approved.  Social passes are earned by the client and amount and length are defined by the level the client is in the program.  Social passes may be restricted if clients have violated rules.  This is important for loved ones to understand, so that if they are traveling long distances for a visit with the Hilltop resident that they check with the facility in advance of their trip to assure situations have not changed and that the client is still eligible for their pre-arranged social pass.