What If Your Visiting Application Is Denied at Ely State Prison (and Nevada prisons)? Steps to Appeal

At Ely State Prison (ESP), the Warden or Correctional Manager has final say on visiting applications. This includes applications from people with prior felony convictions. Day-to-day review may happen through the chain of command, but approval or denial ultimately rests with those top officials.

Common Reasons

• ✓ Check whether you have a conviction or pending felony charges for sex crimes, sex trafficking, or sex with a child/minor under age 14, since that can lead to a denial.
• ✓ Make sure your identifying information is accurate so the NCIC background check can be completed cleanly (name, any aliases, and other details need to match what is on record).
• ✓ Review your application for omissions, misleading answers, or incorrect information. Leaving out details or giving false information can trigger a denial.

A prior felony conviction alone is not supposed to be grounds for denial at ESP. If your rejection seems based only on "a felony record," appeal and ask for the specific reason. Knowing the actual cause gives you something concrete to address.

1. Write a clear appeal letter. Explain that you are appealing the denial of your visitation request and state the reasons you believe the visit should be approved.
2. Address the letter to the right official. Appeals may be submitted to the Warden, the Camp Lieutenant, the Transitional Housing Lieutenant, or the Transitional Housing Correctional Manager.
3. Include supporting paperwork. Attach copies of any documents that back up what you are saying (for example, paperwork showing a charge was dismissed or a warrant was cleared).
4. Submit the appeal as a letter. Keep a copy of everything you send so you can track what was submitted and when.

Once you submit your appeal, the facility is supposed to respond within 14 working days. Mark your calendar. If that window passes with no answer, follow up.

If ESP denied you for omitting or falsifying information on your application, the rule is strict: you won't be approved, and you must wait a minimum of 126 months before reapplying. The source policy has unusual wording (it appears as "twelve/six (126) months"), so confirm the 126-month figure directly with visiting staff before making long-term plans around it.

Practical Next

• ✓ Ask for the denial reason in writing, and direct your request to the Warden or Correctional Manager (or the officials who handle appeals).
• ✓ Gather documents that support your appeal, especially anything that clears up identity questions or court disposition issues that could show up in the NCIC background check.
• ✓ Track your appeal timeline. A response is supposed to be completed within 14 working days.

1. Call to confirm the next step. Ask who is currently handling visitation appeals at ESP so your letter goes to the right office.
2. Ask whether the denial relates to the NCIC check. Since potential visitors are screened through NCIC by qualified staff, a mismatch or flag can be part of the issue.
3. Prepare a clean, documented appeal package. If the problem is something you can prove (for example, a resolved case), submit the proof with your letter rather than just stating it.