When planning your first visit to an inmate, it can be challenging to find the necessary information. First-time visitors often feel uncertain about the process and have various questions, such as what to wear, what to bring, whether children are allowed, and what identification is required. This quick reference guide provides essential information for your visit and addresses many common questions you may have.
- Types of Visits
There are several types of visitation for inmates.
Video visitation is increasingly popular and can sometimes be conducted from the comfort of your own home, similar to using Skype.
See AlsoVisiting someone in jail · I'll visit you in jailPrison Visit: 8 Tips for Visiting a PrisonerSupporting Families: Communication and Visitation OptionsHow to Visit Someone in Prison: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHowNon-contact or telephone visitation involves communicating with the inmate through a glass partition using a phone or other system.
Contact visitation is the most common and preferred form, where you can sit with the inmate at a small table for a brief period. While some physical contact like a brief hug may be allowed, holding hands or kissing is typically prohibited. Rules may vary by institution, so it's important to review the guidelines of the specific facility you plan to visit.
- Before Visiting
Before visiting, it is crucial to communicate with your incarcerated friend or loved one. Inmates maintain a visitors list, which consists of approved individuals allowed to visit them. Certain facilities mandate inmates to list their visitors during intake, while others may offer online visitation sign-ups. Some facilities may require all potential visitors to fill out a visiting application, while others provide the form only upon the inmate's request.
Your loved one will need specific information for each visitor, such as their full name, address, phone number, and sometimes additional details like date of birth or even a social security number or copy of your ID. If you're unsure whether your loved one has all this information, consider sending them a letter or speaking to them about it during a phone call.
If you're hesitant to share personal information like a social security number with your loved one, you can contact the visitation coordinator to arrange for the information to be shared without involving the inmate directly.
- Inmate Visiting Applications
While not all institutions may necessitate the completion of a visitor's application, the majority do. This questionnaire typically includes fields for your name, address, and inquiries regarding your criminal history, such as whether you are a convicted felon or have previous experience in the department of corrections. It is important to answer these questions honestly, as the provided information will be utilized for conducting a background check, which will ultimately determine whether your visitation request is approved or denied.
We have gathered all the visitor applications used in jails and prisons across the United States. If you require a visiting application or are simply interested in previewing the form, you can access the inmate visiting applications on our website here. Please be aware that in some cases, the inmate must send a signed application for you to complete.
Here are some reasons why your visiting application may be denied:
- Providing false information on your application
- Being a convicted felon
- Having a history of incarceration or working in corrections
- Having outstanding warrants
- Having a protective order against you or the inmate
- Being considered a security risk by the facility
- Being on PTI, probation, or parole (with some exceptions)
- Already being on another inmate's visitation list at the same institution
Most facilities do not directly inform you of your application status; instead, it is the responsibility of the inmate to relay the approval or denial information to you. Therefore, it is important to maintain regular communication with the inmate. If your visitation request is denied, there is typically an appeals process that must be initiated within a specified timeframe.
- Preparing For Your Visit
Once your visitation request is approved, it is important to review the schedule of visitation hours. It is advisable to call and confirm the hours, as visitation can be subject to changes or cancellations without prior notice. A correctional facility may cancel visitation due to reasons such as a lockdown, inmate escape, or other necessary circ*mstances.
Visitation privileges are typically suspended if an inmate is in solitary confinement or restrictive housing.
Once you have determined the visiting hours and chosen your visitation day, ensure you have the appropriate identification with you. While identification requirements may vary slightly among different departments of corrections, a valid state-issued photo ID or driver's license is generally accepted (for specific requirements, refer to the facility's page on our site).
- Visiting with Children
When visiting with minors or children, you may be required to complete a special authorization form. Typically, if the minors are over a certain age (around 16), they must have a school-issued photo ID or birth certificate to gain entry into visitation. Minors are not permitted to visit alone and must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Additionally, some inmates may not be allowed to have minors visit if they are incarcerated for a crime against a child. While small children or babies may still need their birth certificate for entry, the requirements are usually more lenient. It is important to note that strict behavior guidelines apply to children, and failure to control your child may result in termination of your visit.
- Dress Code
When visiting an institution, it is important to adhere to the dress code. Failure to comply will result in being rejected by visitation. Dress code guidelines are specific to each facility, but most have the following rules in common:
- Avoid wearing clothing that resembles the attire of inmates or staff members.
- Medical scrubs or any type of uniform should not be worn due to security concerns.
- Shirts and shoes are required.
- Clothing that exposes chest, back, thighs, midsection, or a significant amount of skin is not allowed.
- Transparent/sheer fabrics are not permitted.
- Sleeveless shirts are prohibited.
- Shorts or skirts 2" above the knee, including those with slits above the knee, are not allowed.
- Offensive images or language on clothing are prohibited.
- Tight clothing such as spandex, tank tops, leggings, and tights are not permitted.
- Jewelry is restricted, so it is advisable to avoid wearing any.
Certain rules may be subject to the interpretation of the on-duty guard, who has the authority to make the final decision on acceptable attire. It is advisable to have a spare change of clothing stored in your car at all times if you are unsure about what you are wearing. This way, if the outfit you are wearing is considered to violate the dress code, you can easily switch into the alternative clothing, and not miss your visit.
- Arrival and Search
It is recommended to arrive for visitation a few minutes early, 15 to 20 minutes in advance, to allow time for completing paperwork. Avoid arriving too early or late to prevent any issues.
Upon reaching the facility parking lot, be prepared for a search of your car and belongings by staff, including potential checks by canine units.
Most facilities have become tobacco-free, so refrain from bringing cigarettes to visitation (they can be left in your car). Upon entering the facility, expect to undergo additional searches such as pat-downs, metal detector scans, and possibly checks by canines. Some institutions utilize ion scanners to detect drug particles, although these scanners have been known to produce false positives and are used less frequently now. Refusal to comply with searches may result in being turned away from visiting.
- What Items Can You Bring to Visitation?
The rules regarding belongings vary between facilities. Some may offer lockers for a small fee, while others do not.
Generally, you are allowed to bring only your ID, a single car key, eyeglasses (for medical purposes), small bills or change for vending machines in the visitation room (recommended for purchasing snacks for the inmate during your visit).
If you have a small child or baby, you may be permitted to bring a single bottle and diaper but this varies between prisons.
It is important not to bring medications, cigarettes, or illegal substances to visitation, as this could lead to immediate loss of visiting privileges and potential legal consequences. If you need life-saving medication, be prepared to provide a doctor's note and leave the medication with a visiting supervisor.
Still have questions about Visitation?
If you have additional questions about visiting an inmate, please make sure to visit the specific facilities page on our website, as your question may already be answered there. You can submit a question about a particular facility there, or if you have a general inmate visitation question, feel free to post it below, and we will do our best to provide you with an answer.
