INTRO
Minnesota's Department of Corrections (MNDOC) operates 10 state correctional facilities housing approximately 10,000 people - from MCF-Oak Park Heights (the state's only maximum security prison) to MCF-Shakopee (women's facility) to the Challenge Incarceration Program camps at Willow River and Togo. The statewide visiting framework is governed by Policy #302.100 (Statewide Visiting Room Rules, revised July 14, 2025).
Minnesota Administrative Rules (MN Rule 2911.3200) codify a minimum of 8 hours of visiting per week for all facilities - a strong codified floor that ranks second only to Wisconsin's 9-hour minimum in the directory. All visits are by appointment only with a 24-hour advance minimum. No visits occur on 9 state-recognized holidays.
Minnesota uses commercial bail bonds - bail_banned = false.
VISITOR APPLICATION
Visitor applications are available three ways:
1. Download from the MNDOC website (always the most current version)
2. Have the offender mail one to you
3. Pick up at any DOC facility during regular visiting hours
Background check conducted; processing takes up to 3 weeks depending on background check results and whether probation agent or victim services contact is needed. The offender is notified when an applicant is approved - it is the offender's responsibility to notify the visitor.
Application status cannot be given over the phone. Visitors can stop at any DOC facility during regular visiting hours with a valid photo ID to check approval status in person.
Denied applicants receive a letter of explanation by mail and have the right to appeal. Appeal instructions are included in the denial letter.
8-HOUR WEEKLY MINIMUM - STATE ADMINISTRATIVE RULE
Minnesota Administrative Rule 2911.3200 requires all facilities to schedule a minimum of 8 visiting hours per week. This codified floor applies statewide and sits second in the directory behind Wisconsin's 9-hour minimum (also codified in state administrative code).
No visiting occurs on 9 state-recognized holidays:
- New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the following Friday, Christmas Day
Exception: Willow River and Togo Challenge Incarceration Program offenders may have visitors on holidays IF the holiday falls on a scheduled visiting day.
SCHEDULING - 24-HOUR ADVANCE MINIMUM
All visits are by appointment only. Visitors must schedule a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Scheduling options vary by facility - phone or online scheduling portal depending on the institution.
Up to 4 visitors are allowed per visit and must all be on the approved visiting list. No person may join a visit at any time if not listed on the scheduled visit.
To remove yourself from an offender's list: submit a signed and dated written request to the facility by mail or in person during visiting hours. Once removed, you must wait 3 months from your last visit before being placed on another offender's list.
VISIT LENGTH - 100-MILE EXTENDED VISIT THRESHOLD
Generally, visitors driving less than 100 miles one way are eligible for 1 or 2-hour visits.
Visitors driving more than 100 miles one way may be granted an extended visit with prior approval. The extended visit must be initiated by the offender at least 7-10 days before the visit and may be limited to a certain number per month. Distance is calculated using an internet map with the visitor's address on file.
Due to space constraints, certain facilities may limit visits to 1 hour on weekends. Segregation and non-contact visits are limited to 1 hour. Segregation visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
DRESS CODE - POLICY 302.100
Minnesota's statewide Visiting Room Rules (302.100K-English, revised July 14, 2025) govern dress standards:
- No clothing resembling state-issued incarcerated person clothing or correctional staff uniforms
- No revealing, see-through, or suggestive clothing
- Appropriate undergarments required
- No clothing with gang affiliations, obscene or offensive content
- Conservative, modest attire required
No specific color prohibition published statewide (no blue/orange equivalent documented in current 302.100 rules).
VISIT TYPES
CONTACT VISITS: standard for general population - hug and handshake allowed at beginning and end of visit.
NON-CONTACT VISITS: conducted in booths via telephone or video camera. Visitors who have violated contact visiting rules may be placed on non-contact status. Non-contact visits may be limited to 1 hour due to space.
SAFE VISITING: when in effect - physical contact limited to hug and handshake at arrival and departure.
Visitor behavior observed during visits may be electronically documented per Policy 302.100. A record of each visit is entered into the statewide system.
ADA / METAL DETECTOR ACCOMMODATIONS
All visitors must pass a standard metal detector. If you have a pacemaker or special circumstances, notify staff before going through. Mobility device users are still subject to screening - an ADA reasonable accommodation of alternative screening (visual, portable metal detector, or manual pat-down) may be requested. Prosthetic devices, casts, or splints: request ADA reasonable accommodation for alternative screening.
Watches and electronic devices: check with the specific facility before visiting.
CHALLENGE INCARCERATION PROGRAM (CIP) - WILLOW RIVER AND TOGO
The Challenge Incarceration Program operates boot-camp-style camps at Willow River and Togo. Unlike main facilities, CIP camps:
- May have visits on holidays when the holiday falls on a scheduled visiting day
- Operate under different visiting schedules than the main MCF facilities
Contact Willow River (612-401-2100 area) or Togo directly for current CIP visiting schedule.
VIDEO VISITATION
Video visits are available at Minnesota DOC facilities. Contact the specific facility for current platform, scheduling, and cost information.
FEDERAL BOP IN MINNESOTA
Federal inmates from Minnesota fall under BOP Residential Reentry Management Chicago. FCI Sandstone (Sandstone, MN) is the primary federal facility within Minnesota - a low security facility in Pine County.
BOP RRM Chicago: 200 West Adams Street, Suite 2915, Chicago, IL 60606
FCI Sandstone: 100 Highway 123 South, Sandstone, MN 55072
REENTRY CONNECTION
See our Minnesota halfway houses page at inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/minnesota/ for statewide reentry resources.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How many hours of visiting does Minnesota guarantee inmates per week?
A: At least 8 hours per week - codified in Minnesota Administrative Rule 2911.3200. No visits occur on 9 state-recognized holidays (with limited exceptions for the CIP camps).
Q: How far in advance do I need to schedule a Minnesota prison visit?
A: At least 24 hours before the visit. All visits are by appointment only - no walk-ins. Scheduling is done by phone or online portal depending on the facility.
Q: Can I get a longer visit if I drive a long distance to a Minnesota prison?
A: Yes - visitors driving more than 100 miles one way may request an extended visit with prior approval. The offender must initiate the request 7-10 days before the visit.
Q: How do I check my visitor application status in Minnesota?
A: You cannot check by phone - application status is not given over the phone. You can stop at any DOC facility during regular visiting hours with a valid photo ID to check your status in person.
Q: Can I remove myself from an offender's visitor list in Minnesota?
A: Yes - submit a signed and dated written request to the facility by mail or in person. Once removed, you must wait 3 months from your last visit before being placed on another offender's list. TruthFinder WIDGET Search Minnesota inmate and arrest records COUNTY GRID All 87 Minnesota counties - pills linking to county visitation pages DATA SOURCES MNDOC Policy 302.100K-English (revised July 14, 2025): mn.gov/doc/assets/302.100K-English_tcm1089-700039.pdf Minnesota Administrative Rule 2911.3200 (8-hour weekly minimum): regulations.justia.com/states/minnesota Application process: confirmed from InmateAid MCF Stillwater, Faribault, Rush City pages 24-hour advance scheduling: confirmed from InmateAid MCF Faribault page 100-mile extended visit threshold (7-10 days advance by offender): confirmed from InmateAid MCF Stillwater and MN DOC statewide pages 4 visitors per visit: confirmed from InmateAid MCF Rush City and Faribault pages 3-month removal waiting period: confirmed from InmateAid MCF Stillwater page Holiday closure list (9 holidays): confirmed from InmateAid MCF Rush City page and 302.100K CIP holiday exception (Willow River/Togo): confirmed from InmateAid MCF Rush City page ADA/metal detector accommodations: confirmed from InmateAid MN DOC statewide page MNDOC HQ: 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55108 / 651-361-7200 BOP RRM Chicago: 200 West Adams Street, Suite 2915, Chicago, IL 60606 FCI Sandstone: 100 Highway 123 South, Sandstone, MN 55072
Discovery Offer - Silos 1-2
Search arrest records and find out where they are
If you're trying to locate someone who was arrested or find out where they are being held, TruthFinder searches arrest records, court records, and custody status across all 50 states.