Visiting Applications and FAQ for Visiting a Connecticut Inmate

Maintaining the relationship between inmates and their friends and family can be an integral part of the inmate's rehabilitation and eventual successful reintegration with society.  Part of keeping your relationship healthy is maintaining communication with your inmate through visitation.  When people think of visiting a prison they often feel discouraged or even overwhelmed at how to go about doing it.  To make it easier for everyone we have assembled some of the most important things you'll need to know before you visit your inmate in Connecticut:

• In order to visit an inmate, you must first fill out a Connecticut Inmate Visitors Application.  Using this application, a criminal history background check will be performed.
• The inmate will begin the visiting process by submitting the name and addresses of any potential visitors, then the inmate's counselor will send out a visitors application.
• All visitors, including minors, must be on the approved visiting list before visiting.
• Anyone visiting the institution who is over 16 must provide a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, Military ID or passport.
• Minors or anyone under the age of 16 must bring a birth certificate with them to visitation, and be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also on the visiting list for the inmate.
• Contact visits allow the inmate to have up to three visitors at a time (this includes children).
• Non-contact visits restrict the inmate to two visitors at a time.
• The number of visitors may also be restricted more if space is not available due to overcrowding.
• All visitors will be searched and must pass through a metal detector.  Your car may also be searched once it is on the property of the institution.

When visiting an inmate in Connecticut, some additional information you may want to know is:

• Non-contact visitation is conducted behind a window, or partition that keeps you physically separate from the inmate.
• Contact visits allow a brief hug and a kiss at the beginning and end of each visit.
• If you are traveling an extremely long distance to visit your inmate, you may be eligible for a special visit, contact the inmate's counselor for more information.
• You must sign up 15 minutes before the visiting session begins, bring only your ID, small bills for vending machines, and a single car key.
• Tobacco-related products are not allowed in visitation, all facilities are smoke-free.
• If you leave the visiting room you may not be allowed to reenter, so use the bathroom in the lobby before entering into visitation.

Dress Code/Contact Rules for Visitors of Connecticut Inmates

When visiting an inmate in Connecticut you will need to follow the dress code to ensure your visit is allowed and goes smoothly.  If you fail to stay within the dress code guidelines your visit can be denied.  It is up to the discretion of the guards on duty to enforce these rules, so be very nice to them and do your best to follow the rules.

• When visiting you must refrain from talking to other visitors and inmates other than the one you are there to visit.
• Any clothing that closely resembles the inmate's clothes or the staff's clothes is prohibited.
• Uniforms such as military or doctors/nurse scrubs are restricted from being worn.
• Any items that cover the face including hats are not allowed to be worn.
• Any clothing that exposes the midriff, back, shoulders, cleavage, thighs or other excessive skin is not allowed.
• If the clothing is tight such as spandex, leggings, tube tops, tank tops, or is sheer or see-through it cannot be worn.
• Skirts, shorts, and dresses that are above the knee or have a slit above the knee are not allowed.
• If your clothing contains offensive language or images you will not be allowed to visit.

Remember the best thing to do when visiting is to bring a change of clothes and leave them in your car.  This will enable you to quickly change if the staff disagree with something you are wearing.