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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The following items are not be allowed in visitation: A. Halter or midriff tops B. Leggings, jeggings, or other thin spandex/tight or revealing clothing C. Swim tops or swimsuits D. See-through or revealing clothing such as low cut blouses E. Spaghetti straps or thin straps/shirts that allow bra straps to show
Read morePicture tickets are bought through the commissary at $1.00 per picture. These are for visiting room photos of the inmate with their loved ones.
Read moreIt depends on what type of facility you are visiting. The security level varies, therefore the visitation varies. You might visit through Plexiglas or you might get to visit for hours on a picnic table. Where your inmate is matters.
Read moreYour approval or not is reported to your inmate. The facility doesn't notify the visitors, just the inmate. It is the responsibility of the inmate to notify you that you are on the list for approved visitation.
Read moreThe inmates create their own call list. The only restrictions are people that were in your case (co-defendants), judges, prosecutors and victims. Otherwise, the list can be pretty vast.
Read morewhat facility is he in?
Read moreCall the facility visiting room during normal visiting hours and see when your inmate's visiting hours are. OR, ask your inmate when their days are.
Read moreThe prison officials must maintain and ensure that there is no smuggling of contraband by the visitors. Strip searching is the most effective way to do that.
Read moreAs a general rule, juvenile facilities only allow visitation from the immediate family. It has nothing to do with your age, it's limited to mother, father, sister, brother and grandparents only.
Read moreYou will only have a problem if there is a bench warrant. Did you have a court date and fail to appear? If so, there might be a warrant (or maybe not), so you'll have to decide whether to test it. A simple traffic ticket will not cause you a problem.
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