Cheshire Corrections Inst, CT

Visiting at Cheshire Correctional takes some planning, but it's manageable once you know the basics. In-person visits allow no more than two visitors at a time, and sessions are currently capped at 30 minutes to allow disinfecting between visits. Bring current photo ID. If you're bringing a child under 16, you'll also need the child's birth certificate plus one other document showing the child's name. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time—arriving late can shorten or cancel your visit. Cell phones and other electronic devices aren't allowed inside. Visits aren't held on state-observed holidays. To get on the approved visiting list or set up video visits, follow the facility's application and scheduling steps. Confirm any video-visit participant limits and recording rules when you schedule.

Video visitation at Cheshire Correctional Institution caps sessions at three authorized adult visitors. Minors living in the same household don't count toward that total, so a parent can include household children without using an adult slot. All video visits are recorded by facility staff—you can't record the session on your own device. For phone contact, Cheshire doesn't accept incoming calls for people in custody. Inmates place outgoing calls either as collect calls or through the Securus billing option, and they can keep a calling list of up to ten numbers. E-messaging and tablet-based services are typically offered through an approved vendor. Check the facility page for the current provider and sign-up steps.

Mail at Cheshire Correctional Institution is straightforward once you follow the rules. Inmates can write and receive unlimited personal letters at their own expense, unless letter privileges are restricted as a disciplinary penalty. All mail is screened, so use the facility's addressing requirements and follow vendor-shipping rules to prevent delays or rejection. Books and magazines are allowed only when new and shipped directly from a bookstore, book club, or the publisher. Clothing packages can't be sent or dropped off by family or friends—the agency supplies clothing, and inmates can buy additional approved items through commissary. Approved CDs are available through commissary. Any outside CDs or tapes must be educational or religious, not available through commissary, and shipped directly by a commercial distributor.

Sending money to someone at Cheshire Correctional Institution usually starts with the Connecticut DOC's Inmate Trust Fund Remitter Form. Download it from the DOC forms page and include it when you mail a money order. You may also be able to use an approved electronic deposit service—processing times vary depending on the method and provider. To avoid delays, rejected deposits, or money being applied to the wrong account, make sure the inmate identification details are complete and accurate. Clothing packages can't be dropped off or mailed in. Clothing is provided by the facility, and extra personal items are purchased through commissary. Approved CDs and other media are available through commissary, and outside items must meet distributor rules.