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Visiting Application and FAQ for Visiting an Indiana DOC Inmate

The Indiana Department of Correction has two options to submit a request to visit:

  1. Online application:  All visitors must be on an offender's approved visitors list in order for the application to be considered.  To fill out an online application, once you have contacted the offender and the offender has stated to you that they had submitted a request to add-on/update their visiting, then you may submit your Electronic Visitation Application via jpay.com. If you do not have a JPAY account, you will have to open a free account. When this is completed, you will be able to access the online visitation application version, which can be filled out and submitted electronically.  Individuals applying online may go back to the JPAY site to check to see the status of their online application.

  1. Printed application:  To fill out a paper application, please contact the offender and request that they send you a copy of the visitation application. The completed application must be mailed to the offender's IDOC facility. Faxes and emails are not accepted. The offender will notify visitors if they have been approved or denied.

Regardless of the process chosen visiting applications must be filled out completely in order to be processed. If you are uncertain as to whether you are on an offender's visitors list or to check the status of your printed application, you may contact the offender you wish to visit. 

Choosing the electronic visitation application will also allow you to see whether you have been approved or denied once your application has been processed after a few days. Please do not call the facility to check on your visitation status; this information cannot be given over the phone. For more information please see the IDOC Visitation Policy and Visitation Guidelines.

Visiting hours vary at each facility. Click on the facility name below for general visiting hours. Please remember to always contact the facility before coming to visit for the latest visitation updates. Contact information for each facility can be found here.

  • First, you must request a visiting application from the inmate.  The Indiana Department of Corrections requires that the application is mailed from the inmate directly.
  • Once you have filled out the application, mail it back to the facility your inmate is currently incarcerated in.  You will need to wait several weeks for the application to be processed.
  • Applications must be completed for all visitors, if the visitor is under 18 they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has also been approved for visiting.  The parent/guardian must also fill out a visiting application on behalf of the minor.
  • Minors must also have an 'Authorization for a minor child to visit' form filled out and notarized.  A copy of the minor's birth certificate must be attached to the authorization form when you submit it.
  • The facility will not tell you if you have been approved or denied.  Instead, they leave it up to the inmate to inform you of your visiting status.  If you are unsure ask the inmate the next time they call or write a letter to them asking about your visiting status.  Do not call the facility and ask, they will never give your visiting status over the telephone.
  • Each facility has different visiting hours, we have listed the visiting hours on each facilities page on our website, regardless, you should still contact the facility before you visit to ensure the hours have not changed, and that visitation has not been canceled due to a lockdown of the facility.
  • A visitor is only allowed to be on one inmate's visiting list at a time (Legal visits are not included in this).
  • Inmates are allowed up to 12 approved visitors on their list.
  • You may not bring any tobacco products, lighters, weapons, or electronics of any kind including cameras, cell phones, and music devices into the prison.  Bringing these items into the prison may result in charges being prosecuted against you.
  • Drugs, weapons, and alcohol are not allowed anywhere on institutional grounds, this includes your vehicle.
  • All visitors and their property, including automobiles, may be searched.  You will need to walk through a metal detector and the prison may utilize K-9 units.
  • If you are an attorney, government or law enforcement official you are not bound by the visiting hours and visiting applications process/rules, but you will need approval from the head of the facility.

Some additional information you should know when visiting an Indiana prison:

  • All visitors must provide a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, military ID, passport or state issued ID.
  • Minors must provide a copy of their birth certificate when they visit.
  • Video visitation is also available at select prisons through a third party vendor called JPAY, visit their website for more information.
  • In order to qualify for video visitation, you must still be on the inmate's approved visitation list.
  • You can embrace briefly at the start and end of visitation.  A brief kiss is also allowed.  The only other contact that can occur is hand holding above the table.  Any other touching will result in the visit being terminated.
  • You may bring up to $20 in quarters to purchase items from the visiting area vending machines.  At no point can you give any money to the offender.
  • At no time can you give any items to the inmate, this will be considered trafficking by the institution.

Dress Code/Contact Rules for Visitors of Indiana Inmates

One of the most important things to remember when visiting an inmate in Indiana is that you must follow a dress code.  The dress code is in place to ensure the safety and security of the institution, as well as to ensure that no one is offended or made uncomfortable by the dress of any visitor.  We suggest that you always bring a change of clothes to leave in your car in case of a staff member objects to something you are wearing.  Having a change of clothing will enable you to quickly change and ensure you are not turned away from visitation.

  • It shouldn't have to be said, but all visitors must wear underwear.
  • You cannot wear hats, sunglasses or any items that cover your face with the exception of religious clothing.  Religious clothing will still be removed and searched to enter into visitation.
  • Jewelry may not be worn, with the exception of a single wedding band.
  • Shoes must be worn at all times (except for infants who are carried).
  • Heavy coats and sweaters are not allowed in the visiting area.
  • All shirts and blouses must have sleeves.
  • No tight fitting or see through/sheer pants or tops may be worn.  This means you may not wear stirrups, Lycra, leggings, spandex, halter tops, tank tops, tube tops, or any other clothing that is low cut shows the midriff, or excessive skin.
  • Dresses and skirts can be worn but must not rise more than 2 inches above the knee and cannot have slits.
  • Do not wear uniforms, or clothing that resembles clothing the inmates are wearing.
  • Clothing that contains offensive images or language is prohibited.

Visitation Schedules

Adult Facilities

Juvenile Facilities