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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Most likely yes, but the situation deserves more attention than simply showing up again on the next visitation day and hoping for the best. Being turned away for contraband is not a minor inconvenience. It is a serious event that goes on record at that facility. Whether it results in a permanent visitation ban, a temporary suspension, or just a single turned away visit depends on what was found, whether it appeared intentional, and how the facility chooses to
Read moreMost facilities require new arrivals to complete an Admissions and Orientation period before visitation is permitted. That process typically takes about two weeks, though there is no universal standard and some facilities move faster while others take longer. During that initial period, the facility is processing the inmate into their system, completing medical and classification evaluations, and establishing housing assignments. Visitation is generally not available until that intake process is complete and the inmate has submitted their approved visitor
Read moreIn lower security prisons like minimum or low, there is a hug and a kiss when your come in and one when you leave but the contact must remain somewhat out of the sight of the guards. Holding hands under the table will be okay, nothing more than that. The higher the security, the more likely there will be a piece of Plexiglas between you.
Read moreArriving one to two hours before your scheduled visit time is the safe approach at most correctional facilities, including Allegheny Valley County Prison. That window might seem excessive but the processing involved in getting cleared for a visit takes more time than most first-timers expect. You have to check in at the front, present your identification, get verified against the approved visitor list, pass through security screening, and wait for staff to be available to process you through. Each
Read moreWhat is permitted in visitation photos varies by facility and in practice often comes down to which officer is working that day and how strictly they apply the rules. At most facilities, arms around each other, a brief kiss, and a parent kissing a child on the cheek are generally tolerated and considered acceptable within the spirit of the visit. These are the kinds of normal family moments that most staff recognize as reasonable and do not interfere with.
Read morethere is no way to gain access to an inmate's visitation list through normal channels. they take great measures to keep all inmate information private.
Read moreIt's not fair, but prison is not there for fairness, it is there for the housing of inmates until their sentence is served under rules that we on the outside can't imagine. Visitation is considered a privilege, not a right - and when they take it away it is usually for some sort of egregious act from a group of inmates. The rules that are imposed are not to punish the visitors, they are there to keep the order and control the acts
Read moreAll visitors that fill out a pre-qualification - their name is run through the NCIC database for criminal record and outstanding warrants
Read moreThere is a resident or visiting chaplain at every detention facility. You may call the main number and request to speak to the chaplain. They are usually very good at giving time to concerned family and friends. Normal visitation will usually cover a pastor's visit. The only time it is considered a "special visit" is if there was some sort of family emergency and the pastor would need to deliver news to the inmate in person. That may be arranged
Read moremight be true, where is the inmate incarcerated? depending on the level of custody determines the type of visitation
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