Understanding Cheshire's Visiting Rules: How Many People Can Visit at Once?

Cheshire has several "how many people" rules, and each applies to a different situation. For in-person visits, it's simple: no more than two visitors total, including children. Video visits work differently. Up to three authorized adults can join a video call, but they must be listed on the Visit Request Form. Courtesy visits are another category. Because application approval can take time, wardens have discretion to allow a courtesy visit for up to two adult immediate-family members before the paperwork goes through. Then there's the approved visiting list cap - how many people the incarcerated person can have on their list overall. That number depends on facility level: Level 5 allows 5 approved visitors, Levels 3 and 4 allow 7, and Level 2 allows 10 (including children). If you're planning visits for a large family, this cap matters just as much as the per-visit limit.

These rules differ because they answer different questions. "How many people can come with me today?" That's the in-person limit - two visitors total, kids included. "How many adults can join the call?" That's the video-visit limit - up to three authorized adults named on the Visit Request Form. Courtesy visits are a separate lane. If you're waiting on application approval, a warden may allow a courtesy visit for up to two adult immediate-family members. It's not guaranteed - it's discretionary - but families sometimes rely on it when timing matters. The practical takeaway: figure out what type of visit you're planning first (in-person, video, or courtesy), then apply the right headcount rule.

The approved visiting list cap is about the long game. Even if only two people can be in the room (or three adults on a video call), the incarcerated person still needs you approved on their visiting list first. How many people can be on that list depends on facility level: Level 5 allows 5 approved visitors, Levels 3 and 4 allow 7, and Level 2 allows 10 (including children). If your family is larger than the list allows, you may need to rotate who's approved over time - separate from rotating who attends any given visit.

S3

• ✓ Use the Inmate Search to confirm where the person is currently housed before you plan anything.
• ✓ Once you know the location, review the visiting rules and schedule for that assigned facility.
• ✓ Confirm what type of visit you’re scheduling (in-person vs. video), since the headcount limits are different.
• ✓ If the limit still isn’t clear for your situation, contact the facility for clarification before you travel.

A couple of details trip people up. For video visits, the limit is three authorized adults - but they must be included on the Visit Request Form. Being family isn't enough on its own. Courtesy visits while an application is pending are something a warden may permit for up to two adult immediate-family visitors. It's an approval-based exception for the waiting period, not an extra slot you can count on every time.

1. Choose your two in-person visitors - In-person visits allow no more than two visitors total, and children count toward that number.
2. Use video visits to include more adults - Video visits allow up to three authorized adult visitors, as long as they’re listed on the Visit Request Form.
3. Rotate who visits across different days - If your group is larger than the per-visit limit, plan a rotation so different people get time, instead of trying to bring everyone at once.
4. Ask about a courtesy visit if you’re waiting on approval - Wardens may permit a courtesy visit for up to two adult immediate-family members while the visiting application is still pending.
5. Plan around the approved-list cap - Beyond a single visit, the incarcerated person can only keep a certain number of approved visitors on their list based on facility level (Level 5: 5; Levels 3–4: 7; Level 2: 10, including children).