Can You Visit During the First 30 Days? Understanding Intake Status and Special Visits in Louisiana Prisons

In Louisiana DOC facilities, visitation rules are governed by Department Regulation OP-C-9. Under that regulation, “intake status” is a specific 30-day period that starts when someone is placed into DOC custody. During this time, staff complete intake processing that can include medical and mental health assessments, custody classification, and identifying programming needs and assignments.

The hard part for families is that intake status usually overlaps with the time you most want to see them. Under OP-C-9, regular visitation isn’t permitted while an offender is in intake status. So if you’re being told “no visits yet,” it’s typically because they’re still within that intake window and the facility is following the intake-status restriction.

There is one exception built into the rule. If the intake process goes beyond 30 days, the offender may request a special visit with immediate family members, and that request is handled under the Reception Center’s visiting procedures. Because the visit is limited to immediate family, the facility may require verification that you qualify as an immediate family member.

Once intake processing wraps up, the rules shift. That 30-day intake period is the key threshold - OP-C-9 governs what happens on either side of it.

After intake ends, visitation with immediate family members may be authorized by the receiving facility’s Warden (or designee) while the visitation application process is being completed, as long as it’s requested by the offender. OP-C-9 defines “immediate family member” broadly: parents, siblings, legal spouse, children, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and legal guardians - including step, half, or adoptive relationships.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Keep the receiving facility’s contact information handy so you can confirm whether your loved one is still in intake status and which Reception Center procedures apply
• ✓ If intake goes beyond 30 days, ask your loved one to request a special visit with immediate family under the Reception Center’s visiting procedures
• ✓ Be ready to verify your immediate-family relationship if staff require it
• ✓ Confirm timing and requirements under the Reception Center’s visiting procedures before you make plans to travel