How to Schedule a Visit at Chippewa CF: The 48-hour Rule, 7-day Window, and the New 8:00 a.m. Release

Chippewa Correctional Facility uses a tight scheduling window. You must book at least 48 hours ahead, but no more than 7 days out. Picture a rolling one-week calendar that stays two days in front of you: if today is Monday, the earliest slot you can grab is Wednesday, and the furthest is next Monday. Try to book tomorrow? Won't meet the 48-hour rule. Two weeks out? The system won't accept it yet.

You'll schedule through the Michigan DOC Visitation Scheduling website, hosted by ViaPath (formerly GTL). The site handles both in-person and video visits. Here's what trips people up: you can't create or book anything until your MDOC visiting application has been approved. Once approved, register on the ViaPath site - then you'll see available slots that fit the 48-hour/7-day window.

Visiting blocks run three hours on weekdays, two hours on weekends. That difference matters if you're coordinating rides, childcare, or travel. Weekend visits feel tighter, so build buffer time around the start and end when you plan your day.

• ✓ You may schedule up to two separate visits on the same day with the same prisoner.
• ✓ A maximum of five visitors may visit at a time (children under two aren’t counted in that number).

1. Start with your target day - pick the date you want to visit, then count back at least 48 hours to make sure you’re not trying to book too late.
2. Check that you’re within 7 days - if your target date is more than a week away, wait; the system won’t let you schedule that far out.
3. Log in when slots drop - beginning Oct. 25, 2025, new visiting time slots are released at 8:00 a.m., so make that your routine time to check and book.
4. Use the window to your advantage - if you’re aiming for a popular day, try to book as soon as it becomes available inside the 7-day window, while still respecting the 48-hour minimum.