Visitation hours vary from facility to facility. Inmates will have a specific visit time that you should know about ahead of time. Visitation hours usually range from two to eight hours, oftentimes on weeknights or weekends. If a facility is large enough or co-ed, visitation may differ by gender, security levels, unit, etc.
Make sure to arrive fifteen-thirty minutes ahead of time to check in through security.
Sometimes facilities change the prison timetable or visiting hours and do not update their website. Family and friends should not just show up to the prison for a visit.
They should make all efforts to confirm visitation hours and that visitation has not been canceled. Some facilities maintain websites or social media pages that they regularly update with visitation cancellations or changes.
Length and Frequency of Visitation
Visits are timed and usually last anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour. Facilities have varying regulations on how often an inmate can receive visitors.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons, just one entity, allows each inmate four hours of visitation in a month. More time can be requested, although it is not guaranteed to be granted.
Some facilities do not have any limits. Be sure to check with the facility where your inmate is housed.
Inmate Visiting List
Before visiting an inmate, many facilities require that visitors complete applications and be on an inmate’s visiting list. When an inmate is booked into a facility, they sometimes will have to create a visitor list with the names of those they wish to see.
Much like with a phone call list (INSERT LINK), this list will be approved by facility staff. In addition, many facilities require that all visitors (including minors) fill out applications before visiting. These can take as long as a month or more to be processed, so try to complete the application as soon as possible.
Minors (under the age of 18) must always be accompanied by an adult.
Inmates in solitary confinement, who are ill, or who are on death row may not be able to receive visitors. Remember that visitation rights can be revoked based on an inmate’s behavior.