Division of Adult Institutions
Visiting Policy

VISITING AN INMATE

Anyone wishing to visit an inmate in a Wisconsin Correctional Institution must be listed on the inmate’s visitors list.

It is the inmate’s responsibility to provide visiting regulations to their visitors and to see that the appropriate people are added to their visitors list.

Visitors must follow all visitation rules prescribed by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections as well as any specific rules of the institution in which the inmate is incarcerated.

All visitors must complete the standard visitor’s information form. It is the inmate’s responsibility to obtain and mail the form to a prospective visitor. The proposed visitor will then need to return the form to the institution for approval to be added to the inmate’s visitor list. Inmates will be notified when a visitor has been added to their visiting list.

VISITING LISTS

Inmates are allowed to have 12 adults on their visitors list. It is the inmate's responsibility to contact Program Services in writing when they wish to remove a visitor.

Spouses of immediate family members on the visiting list shall not be counted against the twelve permitted visitors, but should be listed on the visiting list. Children of the inmate and children of approved visitors who have not attained their 18^th birthday may visit and shall not be counted against the limit of 12 visitors.

Children must be on the approved visitor list. Any minor who visits must have the written consent of the parent or guardian prior to visiting. Also, unless the visitor is the legal spouse of the inmate, any visitor not yet l8 shall be accompanied by an adult who is on the approved Visitor List. A newborn child may be added to a visiting list at any time.

Upon reaching the age of majority, a child formerly designated as a minor shall be counted as one of the 12 approved visitors. If there are already 12 visitors on the list, the inmate will be required to remove one to accommodate this addition.

With the approval of an institution’s Warden or Superintendent, an inmate may have more than 12 visitors on the visiting list if all visitors are close family members. "Close family member" means the inmate's natural, adoptive, step and foster parents, spouse, children, grandparents, grandchildren, or siblings.

VISITING INFORMATION

Each institution has its own visiting rules and procedures.

In general, the total number of persons per visit should not exceed 6 adults and their minor children not to exceed a total of twelve people.

Each institution has scheduled visiting hours. Inmates are responsible for informing visitors of the schedule. Each institution also has its own rules governing number of visits allowed per week. Most institutions do not allow more than one visit per day or more than one per weekend.

Visitors should not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to visiting hours.

At certain institutions, visitors must successfully pass through a metal detector. To expedite the entrance process, visitors should avoid wearing clothing with metal attached (buckles, snaps, metal buttons, etc.) and refrain from wearing excessive jewelry. The metal detector is also sensitive to wire in undergarments. Visitors with pacemakers or other medical implants which will affect the metal detector must make their condition known to institution staff and provide medical verification from a doctor prior to visiting. This must then be approved by the security director. The visitor must be able to clear the walk-through metal detector or the portable scanner before being allowed to visit.

All adult visitors, including minors age 16 or older, must provide identification. Acceptable forms of identification are:

a. State Driver's License

b. State Picture I.D.

c. Current Passport

d. Department of Transportation Picture I.D. (Motor Vehicle Department)

e. County Welfare Department Picture I.D.

f. Military I.D. (if currently in active service)

g. Driver’s License and Picture I.D. will be accepted for visitors from out of state.

VISITOR CLOTHING AND BEHAVIOR

Visitors should be aware that visiting areas are designed to cultivate a "family" atmosphere for family and friends of all ages. Visitors should dress and act accordingly. The following apparel is considered inappropriate and will result in the denial of visits:

a. Transparent clothing

b. Swimming suits

c. Shorts which are shorter than fingertip length (i.e., visitor standing naturally, with hands straight down the side of the body and fingers' extended)

d. Skirts or dresses shorter than fingertip length, plus three inches

e. Strapless, tube and halter tops and strapless dresses

f. Tops which expose the midriff.

g. Blouses, shirts and dresses which are low cut; also skirts with revealing slits

h. Spandex, Lycra, or Spandex-like athletic pants, aerobic/exercise tights or leotards

i. Underwear worn on outside

j. Clothing with revealing holes or tears above fingertip level.

k. Clothing or accessories with obscene or profane writing, images or pictures.

1.Gang or club-related clothing or insignia indicative of gang affiliation. This includes, but is not limited to, motorcycle jackets bearing club logos and footwear.

All visitors must wear shoes. Thong-type sandals are not allowed. Footwear must remain on feet at all times. These restrictions apply equally to men, women and children.

At most institutions, visitors may bring the following items into the visiting room:

a. Amount of coins and/or bills, not to exceed $5

b. 3" x 5" coin purse

c. Comb, pick and/or brush

d. Up to 3 baby blankets

e. Up to 4 diapers

f. Up to 2 plastic baby bottles

g. A hand-held baby seat

h. Diaper wipes

i. A pacifier

Packages will be checked. Purses are not permitted in the institution. Some institutions have lockers to leave personal belongings in while visiting. Diaper bags are not permitted into the institution. (Diapers, individual wipes and plastic baby bottles should be carried in a paper sack.)

No food items may be carried into an institution. Vending machines are available. Money allowed in the visiting room is limited to $5 per adult visitor. Visitors wishing to leave money for an inmate must do so prior to the visit. Envelopes will be available for visitors to deposit money for inmates.

At most institutions, visitors may not bring in any property items. Inmates must receive property items through the mail.

Visitors who take prescribed medication on a strict schedule should plan their visit so as not to conflict with the medication schedule. Lockers are provided at many institutions to secure medication during the visit.

Cameras are not permitted in the visiting room. An inmate photographer may be available if requested. Inmates may request photos by completing a disbursement request at the time of their visit. There will be a cost per photo.

Drugs, alcohol, and weapons are not permitted. Violators will be subject to prosecution. Visitors appearing to be under the influence of intoxicants will not be allowed to visit.

Pets are not permitted.

No reading materials or other papers may be brought in without prior approval. Children's books, games, and toys will be available in the children's play area.

VISITING AREAS

Each institution has a visiting area. Many also have both inside and outside visiting areas which can be used during appropriate times of the year.

Whether visits are outside or inside, parents are responsible for the supervision of their children. Any child leaving the "visiting area" must be accompanied by an adult.

During outside visiting, no blankets will be allowed, nor will inmates or visitors be allowed to sit on the ground.

INMATE PERSONAL ITEMS AND REQUIRED BEHAVIOR

Inmates may bring only the following items to the visiting room with them. (Any other items will be returned by the inmate to his room prior to the visit.)

a. Room key

b. Brush or comb

c. Wedding ring

d. Handkerchief

e. Coat, jacket, hat, winter cap, or gloves

f. Sunglasses - (to be worn outside only)

h. Tobacco items as allowed by specific institution rules -- no lighters, the visiting room will supply matches as needed.

Depending upon the rules of the specific institution, smoking may not be permitted in the visiting room. In warm weather, visits may be permitted in designated outside visiting areas where smoking may be permitted.

Excessive displays of affection are not permitted. Inmates may embrace and kiss visitors at the beginning and end of each visit. Children 4 years of age and younger may be held by the inmate during visits if the inmate is the child's parent. Inappropriate behavior such as fondling or bouncing a child may be cause to terminate a visit. Disciplinary action may follow a terminated visit. An inmate’s hands must be visible to staff at all times.

SPECIAL VISITS

Special visits - A special visit request must be submitted to a social worker for each occasion. Special visits may be requested for a family member or non-family member not on your visiting list who is traveling a great distance (more than four hours or 200 miles) from the institution so that frequent visiting is impossible. A special visit may be requested only twice a year for the same visitor. The special visit would also count as one of the allowable visits per week. The procedure for requesting approval of a special visit is as follows:

1. The name, address, date of birth, and the date of the visit of the proposed Visitor must be submitted to the inmate’s social worker no later than three working days prior to the date of the visit.

2. The Social worker will do a background check and then make a recommendation for approval or disapproval.

3. If approved, the proposed visitor(s) must provide the necessary identification or entry will be denied.

Extra visiting time - Extra-visiting time, of one hour may be requested for a visitor who is traveling a great distance (more than four hours or 200 miles) or for exceptional reasons. Extra visiting time may be requested only twice a year for the same visitor. Extra visiting time will not normally be approved for weekend (Saturday and Sunday) or holiday visiting. Requests must be submitted to a social worker three working days prior to the proposed visit. The social worker will then make a recommendation for approval or disapproval.

Extra visiting days - Extra visiting days may be requested for a visitor on your visiting list who is traveling a great distance (more than four hours or 200 miles) or for exceptional reasons. Extra visiting days may be requested only twice a year for the same visitor and will not normally be approved for weekend (Saturday and Sunday) or holiday visiting. Extra visiting days will not count towards the allowable visits per week.

 

 

Back to the Top

 

07/16/07