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.
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You can get a special visit through the warden's office. Since we are not familiar with your case, it might prove to make this more difficult to get approval. Being her husband is the strongest argument. Just contact the warden's office and in the most humble fashion, ask "what you need to do to get permission to see your wife."
Read moreYes, in most all state facilities, the visitors must be "approved" after their information is run through the national crime database (NCIC). People with felony convictions on their record will not be aproved for visits. BUT, there is a way to get approval. The warden's office is the only place a special waiver for a felon may be obtained.
Read moreYou should contact the visitation staff at the facility to get the exact procedure, but in almost all cases, you do NOT need to be a family member. But there is an approval process and as long as you do not have a felony on your record, you will get permission to see them.
Read moreYou will have to be accompanied by an adult, preferably a relative.
Read moreThis will be a bit of a lengthy process, but the mother of his children should hold a heavy advantage in the approval department. The ASPC is very good about the visitation and are going to find a way to approve you so that he may see his children. BUT, you must be as kind, humble and respectful when dealing with the warden's office. Do not come across as entitled...
Read moreOnly with pre-approval from the warden
Read moreNo, they just call the inmate to visitation
Read moreBig Sandy is either a United States Penitentiary with the federal BOP system or Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. The USP is far more strict and a tougher road for an inmate. Visitation might be tough the first time around. You get searched thoroughly and the visits are under heavy supervision. They are non-contact visits. It is highly recommended that prior to an inmate visit you call the jail or penitentiary to confirm that visits have not been cancelled.
Read moreIn most juvenile facilities, the answer is still no, even if you are pregnant with his child. Juvenile systems have much stricter visitation rules than adult facilities. They usually limit visits to: Parents or legal guardians Immediate family members Approved individuals with a clear legal or custodial connection Being pregnant does not automatically qualify you as “family” under their rules. That said, you do have a small window to try: Ask the facility
Read moreYou are dealing with something time sensitive, and there are a few ways to handle this without relying only on a visit. 1. Do not wait on visitation alone Even if you request a special visit, it may not be approved in time. The fastest path is to get the paperwork to him immediately and let the facility process it. You can: Mail the forms to him right away Use InmateAid to send them faster with clear instructions
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