Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged

Visitation Information

http://www.vadoc.virginia.gov/offenders/visitation/default.shtm

Important Update — December 1, 2013

Beginning December 1, 2013, new visitors applying to visit facilities after January 1, 2014, will be required to submit visitation applications online. The online form will be available on this page beginning on December 1, 2013. This process will allow applications to be screened at the VADOC central office, and approved visitors will experience less time waiting to be processed at the facility. Paper applications for first time visitors will be allowed for those who plan to visit during the upcoming Thanksgiving to Christmas holidays.

Visitors may only be approved to visit multiple offenders if the offenders are immediate family members. Visitors will be limited to visiting only one offender that is not immediate family. “Not immediate family” may include, but is not limited to, fiancees, girlfriends, boyfriends, neighbors, cousins, and friends. Visitors who are already approved and visiting multiple offenders must select and submit the name of the one friend they wish to continue visiting by March 15, 2014. This change will go into effect on April 1, 2014.

All visitor applications (new or previously approved) expire 36 months (three years) after the date of approval. A new, updated visitor application must be submitted online at least 30 days before expiration to continue uninterrupted visitation. The Virginia Department of Corrections may conduct an annual record check on each visitor. Prior visitation approval does not guarantee approval continuation.

Effective January 2, 2014, VADOC policy regarding minors visiting with sex offenders will also change. All sex offenders receiving visits from minors must receive an evaluation prior to the approval of the visitation. Minors who have visited previously and are already approved and documented in the VADOC Visitor Tracking System will be allowed to continue visiting while the offender evaluations are completed. Prior approval does not guarantee approval continuation.

Applicants should allow 30 days for online applications to be processed. Out of state applicants should allow up to 90 days for processing. To avoid delays in processing, all information requested on the application must be accurate and complete. A response will be sent to the email address provided by the applicant. Approved visitors must still bring valid picture identification that matches the information provided on the application. Visitor applicants that do not have an email account and/or access to a computer may submit a paper application. Paper applications, which will require longer processing times, are available at the facilities and must be mailed to:

Visitor Registration
Virginia Department of Corrections
P. O. Box 26963, Richmond, VA 23261-6963

Procedures

All institutions allow visiting on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, but visitors should verify with the institution to find out which day(s) the offender can have visitors. To reduce crowding in the visiting room, many institutions alternate days that offenders can be visited based on the alphabet or offender ID number. Offenders are allowed a minimum of one hour per visiting day with visitors. It is possible that the length of a visit may be determined by activity in the visiting area, the number of visitors on a given day, available space, or institutional staff resources.

Visitation procedures at individual institutions may vary and can be changed at any time without prior notice. Please contact the facility before planning a visit to obtain further information on their visiting program.
Dress Regulations

Visitors may wear casual dress that is reasonable and appropriate. The VADOC reserves the right to refuse admittance to inappropriately dressed visitors. These regulations apply at all VADOC facilities:
•No bare feet — footwear is required
•Clothing that exposes breasts or genitalia is not allowed. The body must be covered. Hems, slits or splits of dresses, skirts, culottes, shorts, etc. may not exceed four inches above mid-knee.
•Underwear is required. Females must wear bras and panties. Males must wear underpants or undershorts.
•No halter tops, tank tops, or tube tops.
•Pocketbooks, handbags, or wallets are not allowed in the visiting room. Lock these items in a locker or car. The VADOC is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
•Males dressed as females will not be admitted.

Any visitor whose dress is considered inappropriate will be referred to the administrative duty officer, who will then make the final decision on admittance to the visiting room.

Information being shared by:

Lillie Branch-Kennedy (Ms. K)

Executive Director

Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged

RIHD – PO Box 55 – Highland Springs – Virginia 23075

Web site:  www.rihd.org

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.