How to Schedule a Visit at Alger Correctional Facility (new 8:00 a.m. slot release)
Booking a visit at Alger Correctional Facility? The key is knowing when MDOC releases new appointment times—and how far ahead you can schedule.
Starting Oct. 25, 2025, Michigan DOC visiting slots no longer open at midnight. New appointments release at 8:00 a.m. instead. This matters most for popular days: if you used to log in late at night to snag a slot, switch to an 8:00 a.m. check-in.
Tip: Because new slots release at 8:00 a.m. and visits can only be scheduled within a 7-day window, it helps to be ready to book right at release time if you’re aiming for the most in-demand days.
MDOC has two timing rules. First, visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours ahead - no last-minute bookings for tomorrow. Second, you can't book more than 7 days out. That keeps the calendar tight, and the 8:00 a.m. release is when new options appear as each day becomes eligible.
Note: A facility or housing unit can be placed under medical quarantine, and visits may be cancelled. Check the facility’s quarantine status before you travel.
Know what you're booking. Weekday visits run three hours; weekends are two hours. Those block lengths affect travel plans, childcare, and how much time you'll actually get once you're checked in.
- Go to the Michigan DOC Visitation Scheduling site (ViaPath) - This is the system MDOC uses to manage both in-person and video visits.
- Register for an account - Create your login so you can access the scheduling calendar.
- Sign in to your new account - Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to look up the person you’re visiting and see available appointments when you’re eligible to schedule.
Important: You can’t schedule anything until your MDOC visiting application is approved, and all visits are by appointment through the ViaPath scheduler.
For MDOC video visits, plan for identity verification. Adult visitors must show a photo ID on camera before each visit. Acceptable IDs: driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport, or other government-issued identification.
Booking Strategy
- ✓ Log in and be ready at 8:00 a.m. (starting Oct. 25, 2025) so you can grab newly released slots as soon as they open.
- ✓ Aim your search inside the 7-day scheduling window - anything beyond that won’t be available yet.
- ✓ Double-check that your appointment is at least 48 hours away; the system won’t let you book sooner.
- ✓ If the site is acting glitchy, try signing out and back in, or switching browsers/devices before you give up on a slot.
- ✓ Have your preferred dates and backup options picked out ahead of time so you’re not deciding while times are disappearing.
Here's a useful rule: you can schedule up to two separate visits with the same prisoner on the same day. If you're traveling far or coordinating multiple family members, check whether two appointments are available on the day you're already planning.
Watch your group size. A maximum of five visitors can participate at a time - children under two don't count toward that limit. If more people want to come, you'll need to rotate who attends across different visits rather than cramming everyone into one appointment.
For technical problems with the ViaPath scheduling site - or billing issues connected to visits - contact ViaPath/GTL support at (855) 466-2832 or visitorsupport@gtl.net.
Before you hit the road, confirm Alger's status. Medical quarantines can affect the whole facility or specific housing units, and visits get cancelled when that happens. Always use the official ViaPath scheduler - MDOC requires all visits to be booked there.
Reminder: If you can’t schedule, the most common reason is that your visiting application isn’t approved yet. Get your application status confirmed before you keep trying to book time slots.
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