Who Can Visit Someone at Great Plains: Understanding ODOC’s 20‑person approved visitor list

Great Plains uses ODOC's approved visitor list system. Each incarcerated person can have a maximum of 20 approved visitors, so plan early and think carefully about who should apply. ODOC also defines "immediate family" in a specific way for visitation purposes - this matters when you're deciding who to prioritize.

ODOC's definition of "immediate family" is specific. It includes: spouse, natural or surrogate parents, grandparents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, children (including stepchildren and adopted children), grandchildren, siblings, and aunts or uncles. When building your loved one's visitor list, start with these relationships and work outward - they're most likely to be approved and often the most important connections to maintain.

ODOC caps each incarcerated person at 20 visitors on their approved list. This is the master list of adults allowed to visit - not a per-weekend limit. Once 20 adults are approved, that's it unless someone is removed.

Here's some good news: children under 18 don't count toward the 20-person limit. Adding kids won't use up spots on the adult list.

Minors don't count toward the cap, but they still need proper supervision. If the child is the inmate's natural or adopted child, they must come with one of the inmate's approved visitors. If the child isn't the inmate's natural or adopted child, their own parent or legal guardian must accompany them.

• ✓ Bring documentation if asked - a parent or legal guardian may be required to provide proof of parentage (such as a birth certificate).
• ✓ Be aware a child’s visitation can be restricted if the facility receives documentation from a court, DHS, a legal guardian, a district attorney, or another source showing the visit is prohibited or not in the child’s best interest.

Every visitor needs to apply separately. ODOC requires a Visitor Application Form - the policy refers to this as the "Visitor Request Form" (DOC 030118B).

Submitting by mail? Send your paper Visitor Application Form to ODOC headquarters - address it to the Visitation Unit (not the inmate): Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Attn: Visitation Unit, P.O. Box 11400, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-0400.

Practical Steps

• ✓ Start with ODOC “immediate family” when deciding who should take up spots on the 20-person adult list.
• ✓ Remember the cap is 20 approved visitors total for the incarcerated person.
• ✓ Don’t worry about the cap for kids - children under 18 don’t count toward the 20.
• ✓ Plan supervision for minors: the inmate’s natural/adopted children must come with one of the inmate’s approved visitors; other children must come with their own parent or legal guardian.
• ✓ Keep paperwork ready for kids if needed (for example, a birth certificate or other proof of parentage).
• ✓ Have each adult who wants to visit complete the required Visitor Application Form / Visitor Request Form (DOC 030118B).

1. Get the Visitor Application / Visitor Request Form (DOC 030118B) - you’ll need one for each adult who wants to visit.
2. Fill it out for each adult visitor - incomplete applications can slow down approval.
3. Submit the application - paper forms can be mailed to ODOC headquarters addressed to the Visitation Unit (not to the inmate): Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Attn: Visitation Unit, P.O. Box 11400, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-0400.
4. Wait for approval - visits are based on the approved visitor list, so make sure you’re approved before you plan a trip.