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
Yes, and the visitation for work release inmates is quite comfortable. Call the facility for exact times and requirements.
Read moreThat depends on the facility. Some require that you fill out a visitation form that is sent into the national crime database (NCIC). Most if not all jails and prisons will nt allow a felon or former inmate to visit a current inmate without pre-approval for a special visit by the warden. There are other facilities that will allow a visit with your driver's license. You should call them directly to make sure you are in compliance before making the
Read moreThe only person that can overturn a denial of visitation is the warden. You will have to petition their office by first calling the secretary. Explain your situation in a respectful and calm manner. There might be a mistake or there might be smething they uncovered that will need some explanation.
Read moreGetting approved at one facility does not automatically carry over to others unless they are in the same system (state or federal), then you would be approved across all locations.
Read moreyes, as long as you have been approved
Read moreSome places have restrictions for certain situations but this is not the norm. If you are the mother of the inmate's child, we doubt very much there is a prison or jail in this country that would stop you from visiting. We would recommend calling the facility and speak with a counselor or case manager to get the straight story. If that doesn't work, call the warden's secretary and tell them your situation. You will get in there.
Read moreSometimes you get lucky and they let something small like this go through. If not, you will have to re-do the application and submit it again.
Read moreVisits are never long enough. There are never enough visits. The lower the security, the better the visits are. Minimum security visitation is in a very relaxed state and they are at least two hours long. You visit on park bench-style set up. For federal prison, this was as good as it could get. The worst goes with the higher security facilities where there is no contact and the visits last minutes, not hours. We understand why, it's just
Read moreVisitation Hours Visitation for inmates is based on last name: Inmates with last names beginning with A through G may be visited on: Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Inmates with last names beginning with H through Q may be visited on: Wednesdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Sundays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am Inmates with last names beginning with R through Z may be visited on: Thursdays from
Read moreInmates may use the phone pretty much during all "waking hours". Phone lines are open at 6am and turn off at 11pm. Visitors to Hill Corrections Center will be required to produce photo identification and verification of date of birth. Please be sure to bring 2 forms of identification with you; these would include a current photo ID such as a driver’s license, a state ID card, government ID card, military ID/driver’s license, or acceptable documentation of non-U.S.
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