Alger Correctional Facility, MI

All visits at Alger Correctional Facility require an appointment. Approved visitors schedule through the Michigan DOC ViaPath (GTL) visitation scheduler—you can't book until your application clears, which can take up to four weeks whether you apply online or by mail. If mailing, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the facility can send its response. Visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours ahead but no more than 7 days out, with appointment slots releasing at 8:00 a.m. starting Oct. 25, 2025. Prisoners can list immediate family, qualified clergy, attorneys, outreach volunteers, and up to ten other designated people (different categories require different MDOC forms). Plan to arrive early—MDOC recommends 30 minutes—sign in, show a government-issued photo ID, and use lockers for items you can't bring inside. Note that the scheduler site gives inconsistent guidance on the maximum number of in-person visitors.

Alger Correctional Facility uses ViaPath/GTL for video visits. Each remote session runs 20 minutes and costs $3.20, paid in advance by the visitor through the vendor. Schedule your visit at least 48 hours ahead but no more than 7 days out. Already approved for in-person visits? You don't need a separate video application—being on the CAJ-334 Visitor List covers both. Log in to the ViaPath visitor website 10 minutes early for identity verification, and adult visitors must show a photo ID on camera. All video visits are monitored and recorded with no expectation of privacy, except for attorney or attorney-representative communications. Phone service runs through GTL at $0.0735 per minute (plus taxes and fees), effective October 1, 2023.

Mailing a visiting application to Alger Correctional Facility? Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Processing takes up to four weeks, and the facility uses that SASE to mail back its response. For regular correspondence, all incoming and outgoing personal mail gets screened for contraband and inappropriate content—it may be photocopied or scanned before delivery. Legal mail is handled separately and typically opened only with the resident present. Address mail with the resident's full name and ID/booking number, and include your complete return address. Skip staples, paperclips, stickers, glued items, scented paper, food, clothing, or cash. Use approved methods like money orders when sending funds.

Alger Correctional Facility caps any single deposit to a prisoner account at $300.00, so split larger amounts into separate payments. Families typically add money for commissary, phone time, or other charges through online services, by phone, or at onsite kiosks—available options and what each payment covers can vary. Funding phone calls? Pay attention to calling rates and vendor rules. Michigan facilities commonly use ViaPath (GTL), with rates at $0.0735 per minute (effective October 1, 2023). AdvancePay prepaid accounts can be set up through ConnectNetwork online or by phone, but these accounts go inactive after 180 consecutive days and may be forfeited unless you contact the vendor about reactivation or refunds. Always select the correct facility and enter the incarcerated person's full name and ID to avoid misapplied funds.