Ask The Inmate. Real answers from people who've been there.

There are two ways to see your incarcerated loved one. In-person visitation and video visitation. Both require preparation and both are governed by the rules of the specific facility where your inmate is housed. In-person visitation In-person visits take place at the correctional facility itself. Before you can visit you must be on your inmate's approved visitor list. Your inmate submits your name to their case manager who initiates a background check and approval process. This can take anywhere from a few...

Getting turned away at the facility entrance because of what you are wearing is one of the most heartbreaking and avoidable experiences a visitor can have. Understanding the dress code before you leave home protects you and your loved one from a wasted visit. While specific rules vary by facility, here are the standards that apply at most correctional facilities across the United States. Clothing coverage Modesty is the baseline requirement. Too much skin showing will result in you being turned away regardless...

That situation is frustrating, but it does happen more than it should. Running out of forms or having phones down is usually a staffing or administrative issue, not a policy. Visitation is considered important in every facility, so being “out of forms” for an extended time is not normal. Here is what you can do to move this forward: 1. Contact the facility directly Call and ask for: The visitation department The warden’s office or secretary The chaplain’s office (they often help with family communication issues) Explain clearly that your husband has been...