Allendale Now Offers Contact Visits: What Changed and What to Expect
Allendale Correctional Institution now allows contact visits—meaning visits without plexiglass—as part of SCDC's expansion to certain medium-security prisons. If you've only ever done booth visits, here's the big change: you'll be in the same room with your loved one during your scheduled session.
Allendale now allows contact visits - no plexiglass - as part of SCDC's expansion to certain medium-security prisons. For families, this means face-to-face time in a contact setting rather than through a barrier. It can make visits feel more normal and connected.
Under Phase 6.1, eligibility depends on visitation status. At Allendale, inmates without visitation restrictions can have two in-person visits per week (every seven days), up to eight per month. If your loved one has restrictions, their ability to visit in person may be limited until those are lifted.
Note: You may see older guidance mentioning four in-person visits per month with one visit per weekend for general population inmates. That's separate from the Phase 6.1 limits above - stick with Phase 6.1 when planning.
One rule that trips people up: you must be on the inmate's approved visitation list before you can schedule or attend a visit. If you're not on the list yet, get that approved first - you won't be able to book a time slot or enter the facility without it.
In-person visits at Allendale happen on weekends only. There are three time blocks on Saturdays and Sundays: 8:00–10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., and 2:00–4:00 p.m. When you schedule, you're picking one of these windows.
Each visit is a two-hour block, and visitation runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Plan your day around a full two-hour session - there's no option to extend beyond your assigned block.
Even if you're eligible, space is limited. Allendale allows no more than 16 visits per session, so time blocks can fill up quickly depending on demand.
- ✓ Up to four visitors may visit an inmate during a visitation period.
- ✓ At least one of the visitors must be an adult.
- ✓ Children of all ages may visit if they are approved and on the inmate’s visitation list.
- ✓ Only visitors on the inmate’s approved visitation list may schedule and attend a visit.
Expect health screening when you arrive. Visitors are screened for COVID-19 signs and symptoms using an SCDC questionnaire, and your temperature will be checked during check-in. Build in a little extra time so you're not rushed.
Restroom tip: Visitors can use the visitation room restroom once during a two-hour visit, so use the restroom before you arrive. If you're bringing kids, plan ahead - you don't want to burn that one trip early in the session.
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