Oklahoma Holiday Visits: Do You Need to Be on the List?

No. Being on the approved visitation list is a requirement at Oklahoma Department of Corrections facilities, regardless of the day. Holidays do not create an exception to that rule. If your name has not been submitted, approved, and cleared through the facility's background check process, you will not be allowed in.

The approved visitor list exists for security reasons and applies consistently. Some facilities are even more restrictive around holidays due to higher visitor volume and tighter staffing. Showing up without prior approval on a holiday is likely to mean a wasted trip.

If you want to visit, the right move is to have the inmate submit your name for the approved list through their case manager or counselor and allow time for the background check and approval to process before you make the trip. Once you are on the list, call the facility before any visit to confirm the visiting schedule for that specific day, since holiday hours can vary.