Can a Felon Visit Someone at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility? What Families Need to Know
Have a felony conviction and want to visit someone at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF)? The default answer is no — but immediate family members can apply for a narrow exception with written approval. Here's how the process works and what you'll need to bring every single visit.
CMCF prohibits convicted felons from visiting offenders. The only exception: you're immediate family and the superintendent grants written permission. Without that letter in hand, expect to be turned away at the door.
Quick context about CMCF: male inmates committed to MDOC start here for initial admission and orientation processing in designated housing for unclassified offenders. If your loved one recently entered the system, that's likely why they're at CMCF.
As an immediate family member with a felony record, you'll need the superintendent's written authorization before you can visit. This isn't a one-time formality. Bring that letter every visit, along with meeting all other visitation requirements.
Special rules apply to MDOC employees. Former employees need permission from the superintendent or a designee before visiting any inmate. Current employees can only visit immediate family - you'll need verifiable proof of the relationship, and the superintendent must approve your request.
- ✓ Bring proper photo ID that shows your date of birth (Visitor ID card, driver’s license, military ID, or state ID) and sign the visitor sign-in log each visit
- ✓ Expect the top of your right hand to be stamped before you enter the visitation center
- ✓ Be ready to submit to a frisk search and/or an electronic scanner search before entry
Even with approval, visits can be denied, cut short, or your privileges suspended entirely. Common reasons: arriving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusing a search, failing to produce valid ID (or falsifying your information), violating visitation rules, improper dress, or bringing prohibited items onto prison grounds. Prohibited items include money, negotiable instruments, and weapons like knives, firearms, or explosives.
- Request written approval early (if you have a felony) - If you’re immediate family, you’ll need written authorization from the superintendent before you can visit.
- Bring the right paperwork and ID every time - Plan to show the superintendent’s written authorization each visit, and bring proper photo ID (Visitor ID card, driver’s license, military ID, or state ID).
- Plan for entry screening - You’ll be frisk searched and/or scanned electronically, and you’ll have the top of your right hand stamped before you enter the visitation center.
Before making the trip, confirm where your loved one is housed. Use the MDOC Inmate Search on the MDOC website, or call the switchboard at 601-359-5600. Have their full name ready, their MDOC number if you know it, their date of birth, and the last four digits of their Social Security number if requested.
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