Visiting an incarcerated loved one can be a challenging but rewarding experience. To ensure a smooth and successful visit, it's essential to understand the specific rules and regulations of the specific facility your inmate is incarcerated in. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step overview of the prison visitation process.
Research the Facility's Visitation Policies:
Utilizing our website, you can research the visitation policies of the prison your inmate is located in. Start by selecting the state the inmate is incarcerated in from our Correctional Facilities of the United States page. On the specific facilities page you will find the process visitors must follow in order to attend a visiting session with their incarcerated loved one. In general, you will start the process by confirming the location of your inmate by doing an inmate search. This will confirm your inmate's current location, and allow you to proceed to the next step.
Filling out a visitors application:
Not all prisons will require a visitors application, but the majority of them do. You can find visitor applications on our website for each individual facility. Some visitor applications will need to be printed and filled out, others will require you to fill them out online, and some states will restrict access to visitor applications making you request the application directly from the inmate. For the most part completing a visitors application is free, however some states will charge a background check fee to process your application. You must wait for your visitors application to be approved before you can visit. Some facilities will call you or send a letter to you informing you of your visitation status, others will leave it entirely up to the inmate to inform you of the applications status (we cover this on the specific facilities page).
Determine the specific days and times when visits are allowed:
We list the visiting hours on our facility specific pages. It is always a good idea to call the facility to verify the hours, and ensure that visitation has not been cancelled or postponed due to circumstances like a lock down.
Understand visitation restrictions:
Be aware of any age restrictions, limitations on the number of visitors per inmate, limits to the frequency of visits, the required dress code and other restrictions that may apply, including what you may and may not bring into the facility.
Gather identification:
Before you attend a visit ensure you have valid identification, such as a driver's license or passport, ready to present upon arrival.
Check for additional requirements: Some prisons may require additional documentation, such as proof of relationship or special documentation for visiting with minors, again you can find this specific information documented on our facilities page.
Schedule a Visit:
Some facilities will require you to make an appointment: If required, schedule a visit in advance to ensure availability.
Confirm the appointment: Receive confirmation of your visit, including the assigned visiting room and time. If at any point you are unsure or have questions about your visit, you can call the institution and speak with the visitation officer on duty.
Follow Prison Rules and Regulations:
- Be sure to arrive on time: Be punctual to avoid delays or cancellations. Some facilities will allow you to arrive 15 minutes early to begin processing, others will have a restriction on the time you are allowed to arrive. We document these specifics on our facilities page.
- Dress appropriately: Adhere to the prison's dress code, which may prohibit certain clothing items (available on our facilities page of our website).
- Leave prohibited items outside: Do not bring any prohibited items, such as weapons, drugs, or electronic devices, into the prison.
- Follow instructions: Listen carefully to instructions from prison staff and follow all rules and regulations.
- Conduct Yourself Appropriately: Be respectful, treat prison staff and other inmates with courtesy and respect.
- Maintain a positive attitude: Focus on providing emotional support and encouragement to your loved one.
- Avoid discussing sensitive topics: Avoid discussing topics that could compromise your loved one's security or well-being.
- Do not interact with any other inmates besides the one you are cleared to visit.
- If you are visiting with children, ensure that they remain calm and under control the entire visit. Failure to control your kids will result in a termination of visit.
Follow Up After the Visit:
Express gratitude: Thank your loved one for the visit and let them know you appreciate their time.
Schedule future visits: Plan for future visits and communicate your plans with your loved one.
By following these steps and understanding the prison visitation process, you can ensure a positive and meaningful experience for both you and your loved one, remember to check our site for more detailed information about visiting, and if you have any questions you can always post them to the facilities page and our community and staff will help answer them.