How to Visit Facility

The warden at this facility sets the visitation schedule and the rules that go with it. That covers the days and times for visits, the location, how long each visit lasts, how many visits an inmate can have per week, and how many visitors can come at once.

Visits (in person or by video) are a privilege, not a right. RIDOC administration can approve, deny, suspend, or revoke that privilege for policy or security reasons. That means a visit you were counting on can be changed or canceled.

Once you're on facility grounds, stick with the visiting process from start to finish. Visits happen only in designated visiting areas. Detours or unscheduled stops aren't allowed unless authorized personnel specifically direct you otherwise.

Your eligibility to visit can depend on a background investigation. If you haven't cleared both BCI and NCIC checks, you won't be permitted to visit unless you're specifically approved by the Assistant Director of Institutions and Operations (or a designee).

RIDOC policy sets some minimum standards for visiting opportunities. Every facility must offer at least three visiting periods per week for inmates not on Administrative Restricted Status, and each period must be at least 1.5 hours long. The exact days, times, and limits are still set locally, so treat these as minimums. Always confirm the current schedule before you go.

1. Check the current schedule and rules: The warden sets the visiting days, times, location, length, weekly visit limits, and how many visitors are allowed per visit. Check right before you go because these details can change.
2. Confirm what applies to the visit you’re planning: Look for anything that affects timing and limits (how many visits are allowed that week, and how many people can visit at once) so you don’t arrive expecting something the facility is not offering that day.

1. Make sure you’re cleared to visit: Visitors who have not cleared BCI and NCIC checks are not permitted to visit unless they have specific approval from the Assistant Director of Institutions and Operations (or designee).
2. Plan with the “privilege” rule in mind: Visits can be approved, denied, suspended, or revoked for policy or security reasons, so confirm nothing has changed before you travel.

1. Go only where visitors are allowed: Visiting occurs in designated visiting areas only.
2. Avoid detours on facility grounds: Do not stop to talk to anyone or make unscheduled stops unless authorized personnel instruct you to do so.

• ✓ Whether the inmate is eligible for general visiting (not on Administrative Restricted Status)
• ✓ How many visiting periods are available that week (at least three per week for eligible inmates)
• ✓ How long a single visiting period is scheduled to run (at least 1.5 hours)
• ✓ Any local limits on weekly visits per inmate
• ✓ Any local limits on the number of visitors allowed per visit

Before each visit, check the schedule and visit-specific rules for this facility. The warden determines the day and time, the visit location and length, weekly limits, and how many visitors are allowed at once. These details can change.

• ✓ Whether you have cleared both BCI and NCIC checks
• ✓ If you need special approval from the Assistant Director of Institutions and Operations (or designee) due to a background-check issue
• ✓ Whether visits are currently approved, or if they have been denied, suspended, or revoked for policy or security reasons

Confirm where you need to go when you arrive and which areas are designated for visits. Once you're on the grounds, follow the route and instructions you're given. No detours or unscheduled stops.