Scheduling Your First In-Person Visit at Johnston Correctional Institution: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Your first in-person visit at Johnston Correctional Institution is totally doable—but it's appointment-only, and you won't get in without prior approval. Follow the steps below to get on the visitor list, schedule your appointment, and avoid getting turned away at the door.
Before you try to schedule anything, make sure you're eligible to visit. Johnston Correctional Institution requires a completed visitor application to be approved by staff before any visit can happen. Your loved one needs to start the process on their end - so confirm they've submitted the visitor forms and that your application has been approved before you plan a trip.
Visits at Johnston Correctional Institution are by appointment only. Call or email the prison to schedule - don't assume you can show up and be worked in. Have your loved one's information ready when you reach out so staff can match your request to the right person and verify your approved visitor status.
Note: Call the prison the day before your scheduled visit to confirm the facility’s visitation status.
Can't make an in-person visit right now? Johnston Correctional Institution offers video visits as an alternative. Video visits still require you to be on the approved visitor list, so the same "get approved first" step applies.
Visitor lists aren't unlimited. Each person at Johnston Correctional Institution can have up to 18 approved visitors total - adults and minors combined. If your family is large, prioritize the people most likely to visit consistently. Coordinate with your loved one about who should be added first so those 18 spots don't get used up accidentally.
Expect to be screened at entry, just like any secure facility. Staff can deny entry if you don't follow procedures. The best way to avoid a wasted trip: confirm the facility's visitation status the day before, then arrive ready to follow instructions at check-in.
Reminder: Cell phones are not allowed inside prisons - leave yours secured in your vehicle or at home.
What to Wear
- ✓ Wear a shirt and shoes (both are mandatory).
- ✓ Skip halter tops, bare midriffs, strapless tops, and tube tops.
- ✓ Do not wear body suits or underwear-type T-shirts.
- ✓ Avoid tank tops and sleeveless shirts or dresses that are inappropriately revealing.
- ✓ Leave fishnet shirts at home.
- ✓ Don’t wear any shirt or pants made with see-through fabric.
Some people have extra visitation limits based on Security Threat Group (STG) status. If your loved one is validated as STG Level 2, they’re allowed contact visits only with approved immediate family members. If they’re validated as STG Level 3, visits are limited to non-contact visits with approved immediate family members. If you’re not sure whether this applies, ask your loved one - knowing ahead of time helps you set expectations about whether the visit will be contact or behind a barrier.
- Confirm you’re approved to visit - a completed visitor application must be approved by facility staff before a visit can occur.
- Schedule the appointment - Johnston Correctional Institution is appointment-only, so call or email the prison to set your visit.
- Confirm the day before - call the prison the day before your scheduled visit to confirm visitation status.
- Dress for entry - wear a shirt and shoes, and avoid prohibited clothing like halter tops, bare midriffs, strapless/tube tops, tank tops, fishnet, and see-through fabrics.
- Leave your phone behind - cell phones aren’t allowed inside prisons.
- Have a backup plan - Johnston CI offers both in-person and video visit options, so you may still be able to visit by video if in-person isn’t available.
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