Division
of Adult Institutions
Visiting Information
The Department of Corrections encourages
and supports visiting opportunities to offenders and their approved
visitors. The following guidelines help ensure a safe and secure visiting
environment while promoting a family atmosphere.
PROHIBITED ITEMS AND CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES
Wisconsin Statutes s. 302.095 (2) - Delivering Articles to Inmate
prohibits delivery of any article to an inmate of a State Correctional
Institution or depositing or concealing an article within the State
Correctional Institution or its boundaries or receiving an article to
convey out of the institution that is contrary to the rules and
regulations and without the knowledge or permission of the Warden. Any
person found in violation of this law is subject to imprisonment of not
more than three years or a fine not exceeding $500.00.
The DOC is committed to maintaining
drug-free institutions and will actively investigate and prosecute any
individuals bringing drugs into a prison.
OBTAINING
PERMISSION TO VISIT 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 request
permission for additions to their visitors list.
All prospective
visitors, including children, must complete (or have someone complete for
them) the Visitor Questionnaire (DOC-21AA), which is an application for
approval to visit. It is the inmate’s responsibility to obtain and mail
the Visitor’s Questionnaire 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. Visitors may be denied
approval for visitation on a number of grounds, specified in
administrative code. If denied, a visitor must wait 6 months to re-apply
for approval.
Any child or
minor, that is, any person under the age of 18, must have the written
consent of the legal, non-incarcerated parent or guardian prior to
visiting. This consent is contained on the Visitor Questionnaire. Also,
unless a minor visitor is the legal spouse of the inmate, any visitor not
yet l8 shall be accompanied by an adult who is on the approved Visitors
List.
NUMBER OF VISITORS ALLOWED
Assessment and Evaluation (A&E) Unit
(Intake)
The intake units at Dodge Correctional Institution (DCI), Milwaukee
Secure Detention Facility (MSDF) and Taycheedah Correctional Institution
(TCI) are known as or have A&E (Assessment and Evaluation). Several
visiting rules are different for inmates who are still in A&E status.
Inmates in an A&E status are permitted up to four (4) adult, close
family member visitors. Close family member for this purpose is an
inmate’s natural, adoptive, step, foster parents, spouse, children,
grandparents, grandchildren or siblings. If the spouse’s last name is
different than the inmate’s, the spouse must send a copy of the marriage
license to verify the relationship.
Inmates in A&E status may be permitted to have their own children visit.
Inmate’s children under the age of 18 shall not be counted against the
four visitor limit. However, inmates in an A&E status, with sexually
related offenses, will not be permitted to have visitors under the age of
18.
Inmates Who
Have Transferred Out of A&E Status
Once inmates have
left DCI, MSDF or TCI, or have transferred out of A&E status and into DCI,
MSDF or TCI General Population, they are allowed to have twelve (12)
adults on their visitors list. Children of the inmate and minor children
of approved visitors may also visit, and shall not be counted against the
limit of 12 visitors.
Upon reaching the
age of 18, 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 in order to accommodate this
addition. It is the inmate's responsibility to submit a request in writing
when they wish to remove a visitor.
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.
GENERAL VISITING
INFORMATION
In addition to
department-wide policies and procedures, each institution has its own
specific visiting rules and procedures at
http://www.wi-doc.com/Institution&Bureau%20Links.htm. Scheduled
visiting hours and number of visits allowed per week vary between
institutions. Also the number of visitors on any given (single) visit
can vary between institutions, due to variations in available space. It is
always advisable to contact the respective institution, prior to
anticipated visitation, when being newly added to an inmates visiting
list, when having an anticipated special or extended visit, etc.
Arrival and Parking
Visitors should not arrive more than 15
minutes prior to visiting hours. No loitering is permitted in the parking
lot area. No one is allowed to remain on state property waiting for other
persons who are visiting, including waiting in the parking lot or in
vehicles, nor are any persons or animals permitted to be left unattended
in vehicles.
Vehicles must be secured (windows rolled
up, doors locked). If your vehicle is found unsecured, your visit may be
terminated.
Handicap parking spaces are provided for
visitors who have a physical disability. Vehicles using the handicap
parking spaces must have license plates or state-approved display cards
that authorize handicap parking.
Verbal communication, waving, sounding of
horns or blinking headlights to signal inmates is strictly prohibited.
Disabled or stalled vehicles must be
reported to the Lobby Sergeant immediately. Any vehicle left on state
property for more than 24 hours may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s
expense.
Lobby Procedures
Upon arrival at the lobby, visitors may
be required to complete a Request to Visit Offender Form (DOC-176).
Visitors age 16 or older must provide
photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification are:
·
Valid State Driver's License
·
Valid Passport or Visa
·
Valid Department of
Transportation Picture I.D. (Motor Vehicle Department)
·
Valid Military
identification card
·
Valid tribal I.D. (if it
provides photo)
Only visitors on the approved visiting
list will be permitted to visit. Visitors will not be permitted to stay in
the lobby unless waiting to enter the institution. Anyone denied
visitation must leave state property immediately, including parking lots;
waiting in vehicles is not allowed.
Lockers are provided at no cost for items
not allowed in the visiting room. Visitors’ hands may be
stamped and checked by Security staff when
entering and leaving those areas.
Metal Detection Procedures
Visitors will be denied entry to the
visiting room if they are unable to successfully pass metal detection
inspection after three attempts. In order to expedite the entrance
process, visitors should avoid wearing clothing with metal attached, such
as buckles, snaps, excess jewelry, bib overalls, wire in undergarments,
etc.
Special Accommodations
Visitors who have a disability or medical
condition requiring an accommodation in order to clear lobby or metal
detector procedures will need to have their physician complete a Visitor
Requesting Accommodations form (DOC-2424). A visitor may request this form
when they complete the Visitors Questionnaire (DOC-21AA) by checking the
appropriate box. The prospective visitor must then send the Visitor
Requesting Accommodations form to a physician who can verify the need for
an accommodation. The physician must complete, sign and return the form to
the facility Security Director/Designee. The accommodation request form
must be completed and approved prior to visitation. Any
visitor who utilizes a wheelchair on a visit must use an institution
approved wheelchair. This may be a personal wheelchair or one provided by
the institution, as determined by the institution. Personal wheelchairs
may be searched.
Visiting
Areas
Each institution
has a visiting area. Some institutions have both inside and outside
visiting areas which may be used during appropriate times of the year.
During outside visiting, neither inmates nor visitors will be allowed to
sit on the ground.
No Contact Visits
Inmates in segregation and/or under no
contact visiting restrictions may have additional restrictions imposed
which may include using audio visual equipment, limited hours, length of
visits and limited number of visitors. Visitors may call ahead to
determine if an inmate is on a no contact visiting restriction.
Video Conferencing Visits
Some institutions may provide video
conferencing visiting based on their available resources. Please refer to
visiting information for each institution.
BEHAVIOR WHILE VISITING
Visitors must
conduct themselves in an appropriate and courteous manner and must follow
all visiting rules of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, as well as
any specific rules of the institution in which the inmate is incarcerated.
It is the inmate’s responsibility to provide visiting regulations to their
visitors.
Visitors
appearing to be under the influence of intoxicants will not be allowed to
visit.
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.
Excessive
displays of affection are not permitted. Inmates may embrace and kiss
visitors at the beginning and end of each visit. Inmates may hold their
own children who are age 5 or under. An inmate’s hands must be visible at
all times.
Inappropriate
conduct by visitors/inmates (includes children) may result in termination
of the respective visit and/or suspension of visiting privileges dependent
on the severity of the inappropriate conduct.
Prohibited
Items
The following items are not allowed in
any institution:
-
Weapons
-
Illegal drugs
-
Alcohol
-
Tobacco and related products
-
Matches and lighters
-
Cell phones, pagers, or other
electronic equipment
-
Pets or other animals, except for those required as service animals
for persons with disabilities
-
Purses
-
Cameras/video recorders (An inmate photographer may be available if
requested. There is a cost per photo, payable by the inmate.)
-
Food items (vending machines are available)
-
Reading materials or other papers without prior approval.
-
Children's books, games, and toys (such items are provided in the
children's play area of each institution)
-
Strollers
-
At most institutions, visitors may not bring in any items for an
inmate
Allowed
Items
All items brought
in are subject to inspection. Check with the facility regarding allowable
medications. The list of allowed items is limited to the following
-
Coins
and/or bills, not to exceed $15.00
(fifteen dollars) for each visitor.
-
Comb,
pick or brush, limited to one for each visitor.
-
Up
to two (2) baby blankets for each child.
-
Up to four (4)
diapers for each child. Diaper bags are not allowed.
-
Up to two (2)
plastic baby bottles for each child.
-
One (1)
hand-held baby seat for each child.
-
Diaper wipes.
Must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
-
One (1)
pacifier for each child.
-
One (1) coat
and one (1) pair of gloves for each visitor.
-
Headwear
(provided it does not conceal identity).
-
One (1)
institution locker key.
