What Happens During Intake at East Carroll Phase 3 — Understanding the 30‑Day Visitation Waiting Period

At East Carroll Phase 3, "intake status" covers the first 30 days after someone enters Department custody. It's essentially the facility's processing window - staff are getting the person set up in the system, completing assessments, and establishing their records.

During intake, offenders cannot receive visits. So if you've tried to schedule a trip and been told no, this is why - the person is still officially in intake status, and regular visitation isn't available yet.

Sometimes intake runs longer than expected. If it stretches past 30 days, the offender can request a special visit with immediate family members. This exception exists specifically for extended intake situations and follows the Reception Center's visiting procedures.

Once your loved one clears intake status, there's another way to reconnect sooner. At the offender's request, the Warden or a designee at the receiving facility can authorize visits with immediate family members - even while the formal visitation application is still being processed. The paperwork doesn't have to be fully complete for immediate-family visits to happen, as long as the facility gives the green light.

Practical Steps Families

• ✓ Ask your loved one whether they are still in intake status or have been removed from intake status.
• ✓ If intake is going beyond 30 days, ask them to request a special visit with immediate family through the Reception Center’s visiting procedures.
• ✓ If they’ve been removed from intake status but the visitation application isn’t finished, ask them to request immediate-family visitation authorization from the receiving facility’s Warden or designee.

Outside of intake restrictions (and any other specific exceptions), offenders housed in a departmental facility can apply for visitation. Use those first few weeks as prep time: gather what you need for the application so you're ready to move forward the moment your loved one becomes eligible.

1. Confirm whether they’re still in intake status - regular visitation isn’t allowed during the 30-day intake period.
2. If intake goes past 30 days, have them request a special visit - the offender can ask for a special visit with immediate family under the Reception Center’s visiting procedures.
3. If they’re removed from intake, ask about temporary immediate-family visitation - at the offender’s request, the receiving facility’s Warden or designee may authorize immediate-family visits while the visitation application is still being completed.
4. Keep the visitation application moving - once they’re eligible to apply, staying on top of the application process helps prevent additional waiting after intake ends.