Visiting an incarcerated loved one allows you to spend time together and provide vital social support while they serve their sentence. However, visiting an inmate comes with specific procedures and restrictions. This guide covers everything you need to know to get approved for and schedule prison visits.
Understand the Benefits of Visits
Maintaining connections is crucial for prisoners’ mental health and success after release. As a friend or family member, you can provide important support through visitation:
- Improve inmate morale, outlook, and behavior
- Allow inmates to preserve family bonds
- Reduce feelings of isolation for prisoners
- Help inmates stay focused on rehabilitation
- Give inmates hope and motivation for the future
Your efforts to visit while someone is incarcerated make a real difference.
Check Visitor Eligibility Rules
Each facility has its own policies on who can visit inmates based on:
- Relationship status – Immediate family, spouses, etc. are often approved
- Criminal history – Past felony convictions may disqualify visitors
- Age requirements – Depends on prison policies, but 18+ is common
- Identification needed – Photo ID/address verification is required
Submit any required applications and paperwork to get pre-approved before attempting visits. This prevents wasted trips if you end up being denied at the prison gates.
Know the Different Visitation Types
Prisons offer various types of visitation which require separate approval processes:
- General Visiting: For approved friends/family to visit during normal hours
- Family & Spousal Visits: More private and intimate extended visits
- Attorney Visits: Private meetings with lawyers for legal counsel
- Clergy Visits: For religious support and guidance
Apply only for the relevant visitation privileges you will need. This speeds approval.
Schedule Visits in Advance
Signing up for visits in advance is required at most prisons. Contact the facility you wish to visit and follow scheduling procedures:
- Call the inmate records office to request an appointment
- Provide needed visitor details like ID, relationship, criminal history
- Verify eligible visitation dates/times based on prison schedules
- Get approved and added to the visitor list
- Avoid last minute visit requests as availability is not guaranteed
Planning ahead ensures your spot and gives staff time to screen and process guests.
Know What to Expect Arriving at the Facility
Prepare for security screening when you arrive at the prison for visits:
- Leave unauthorized items secured in your vehicle
- Present valid ID and check in at the front desk
- Pass through metal detectors and body scanners
- Submit to search of clothing, bags, pockets, hair, etc.
- Wait to be escorted to the visitation room
Cooperate fully with search procedures to avoid denied entry.
Follow All Visitation Rules and Restrictions
While visiting, adhere to the prison’s posted policies and guard directives:
- Dress appropriately – avoid revealing clothes
- Keep hands visible and avoid physical contact
- Remain seated across from inmates
- Avoid sharing or exchanging any items or food
- Refrain from loud voices or disruptive behavior
- Stick to approved discussion topics and language
- Comply if visit is ended early for violations
Respect all rules to ensure future visit privileges are not revoked.
Utilize Alternatives If In-Person Visits Are Restricted
If circumstances prevent in-person visits, alternatives may include:
- Video visitation – remotely via webcam and pre-paid services
- Phone calls – register your number on approved call lists
- Mail – send letters and postcards to stay in touch
- Emails – where electronic messaging is offered
- Online photo sharing – some systems let you send pics to inmates
- Video greetings – record and send video clips if allowed
While not the same, these options keep communication open when needed.
Conclusion
Visiting incarcerated loved ones requires proper planning, respecting rules, and patience handling prison security protocols. But maintaining these important personal connections has major benefits for inmates’ welfare and rehabilitation.
With the right mindset and preparation, you can schedule productive visits and get approved to see inmates regularly. Just follow all official policies, arrive early, cooperate during screening, avoid contraband issues, and stay positive throughout the process.
Face-to-face visits are ideal. But explore alternative forms of communication when needed. Use every option to provide inmates with that vital support system and human bonding they need to make it through their sentences.
FAQs
Where can I find detailed rules on dress code, conduct and banned items for a specific facility?
The prison’s official website will outline visitation rules and restrictions. Call their front desk for any clarification. Guidelines can vary so always verify policies before visiting.
What options exist for lodging and hotels when traveling to distant prisons?
Some facilities have hospitality programs with discounted visiting family rates at area hotels. Check if the prison offers these services or search independently for accommodations in the nearby vicinity.
What are the most common reasons visits get denied or cut short?
Attempting to pass contraband, wearing inappropriate clothing, physical contact with inmates, disruptive behavior, intoxication, violating facility guidelines, safety concerns, inmate count issues, staffing shortages.
Can visitation privileges be suspended if rules are broken?
Yes, privileges can be revoked temporarily or permanently for serious or repeat violations. This highlights the importance of closely following all visit policies.
What is the best way to comfort an upset inmate during emotional visits?
Listen supportively and offer reassuring words. Avoid criticism of the system, roundabout discussion of the case, or overt public displays which guards may curtail. Stay positive.