Visitation — Ask the Inmate
A visit is one of the most powerful experiences available to both an incarcerated person and their family. The physical presence of someone who loves you, even across a table or through glass, communicates something that letters and phone calls cannot fully replicate. But the visitation process involves rules, approvals, background checks, and scheduling requirements that can be confusing and discouraging for first-time visitors. This section covers how to apply to be on an inmate's visitor list, what the background check process looks like and what disqualifies a visitor, what to expect on your first visit including what to wear, what you can bring, and how the visit itself is conducted, how contact visits differ from non-contact visits, what children need to know before visiting an incarcerated parent, and how to make the most of limited visitation time. The guidance here is practical and comes from people who have been on both sides of the visitation table. See also our sections on Family Services, Relationship Issues, and Inmate Phone Calls.
Related InmateAid Services
An inmate can block you from visiting but little else. Inmates have no control over their administrative designations whatsoever - the jurisdiction assigns a number that is it.
Read moreVisitation allows for babies to come along with a diaper bag that is subject to heavy inspection. Bring milk, diapers and a change of clothes but don't try and sneak something in, or you'll end up with your loved one.
Read moreFederal visitation is run very much by-the-book, and for an FCI Low facility you will have "contact" with your inmate. Upon arrival you will enter and give your ID (you will have already gone through an approval process beforehand filling out a form your inmate mailed you). Once you are accepted for the visit you will proceed through a metal detector like you'd see at an airport. You may hug and kiss upon greeting and leaving but do not let
Read moreWhen you are denied visitation the only way to get approved is from the warden. You will need to begin by calling the warden's secretary and in the most polite and humble voice, ask them how you would go about the proper channels to have your visitation denial appeal heard.
Read moreThere are plenty of cases where the warden will act in the best interest of the family and grant you a visit. Your charge is going to be a big factor so keep that in mind as you patiently, humbly and politely ask for a waiver.
Read moreProbably not right away. But after he has gone through orientation, he will most likely be able to receive visitation form you and his children
Read moreThe visitation changes, before you go, call 314-385-4672, and select option 1.
Read moreIf this is a visitation question, it will depend on where the inmate is incarcerated. There are contact visits in minimum and low facilities. You are allowed a kiss and hug upon arrival and exit. As the security level of the facility rises, so do the restrictions at visitation.
Read moreMost facilities will allow people from outside the family to visit, as long as they are not a felon or previous inmate. We would advise you to contact the counselor first to get all of the rules and dates correct.
Read moreThe visits are very comfortable "contact visits". You will be able to hug and hold hands as long as it does not become disrespectful to the other visitors or the guards.
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