Visiting a Juvenile at Central Regional Jail (WV) — Background Checks, Children, and What to Expect

This article is based on the West Virginia Division of Corrections & Rehabilitation juvenile visiting request form. The form collects your visitor information and includes a certification allowing that information to be used for a background check.

Filling out the visiting request means more than just providing information - you're certifying it. The form requires you to affirm that your answers are true and correct, then sign and date to complete that certification.

Passing a background check doesn't guarantee approval. The Superintendent can still deny your visit even after your background check clears. Don't assume you're good to go just because you submitted paperwork - contact the facility where the juvenile is located to confirm approval and schedule your visit.

1. Submit your visiting request - complete it fully and send it in as directed.
2. Wait for the background-check decision - this is one of the required gates before you can be considered for a visit.
3. Contact the facility where the offender is located - confirm background check approval and schedule your visit through the facility.

Planning to bring a child? Pay close attention to West Virginia's parent/guardian rules. A parent or legal guardian of the child must already be on the juvenile's approved visiting list before anyone else can bring that child in. Other relatives or family friends can't substitute - the parent or guardian has to be approved first.

• ✓ Notarized permission slip from the child’s parent/legal guardian (required if you are not the parent/legal guardian bringing the child)
• ✓ The notarized permission document with you at check-in (don’t leave it in the car)

Already completed this form for the same juvenile at another facility? You don't need to fill it out again unless the prior form is at least one year old. If you're unsure when you last submitted one, contact the facility and ask what they need.

For scheduling and final approval, contact the facility directly. The form explicitly directs visitors to do this for background check approval and visit scheduling. Keep in mind that the Superintendent can deny a visit even after your background check clears - so a denial doesn't necessarily mean your background check failed. It could be a discretionary decision.

1. Call the facility where the offender is located - ask whether your background check is approved and whether you’re cleared to schedule.
2. Ask what the denial is based on - since the Superintendent can deny a visit even with an approved background check, get clarity on what you can do next.
3. Confirm the next allowed step - find out whether you should wait, re-apply later, or take another action before trying to schedule again.
4. Schedule only after the facility confirms approval - once staff confirm you’re approved, set the visit through the facility’s scheduling process.