How to Get on Someone's Approved Visitor List at Kewanee Re-entry Center

Before anything else, use the IDOC inmate search to look up the person you want to visit and confirm they're currently at Kewanee Re-entry Center. This is especially worth doing if they've recently moved facilities, since a transfer can throw off your scheduling.

You need to be on the incarcerated person's approved visitation list before you can visit. Government officials and legal visitors are the main exceptions. For everyone else, no list approval means no visit.

Trying to find out if you're approved? Don't bother calling the facility. IDOC staff can't tell you over the phone whether you're on someone's visitation list. Instead, write the incarcerated person directly and ask them to add you (or confirm you're already on the list).

There's first-visit paperwork. If you're 18 or older, you'll need to complete a Prospective Visitor's Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148) before your first visit, unless you've already been approved through the electronic PVI process. Legal visitors and government officials are exempt from this requirement.

• ✓ If you are 18 or older: bring photo identification and verification of your date of birth.
• ✓ If you are under 18: you are not required to show photo ID.

Once you're confirmed on the approved list and have handled the PVI requirement (if it applies), schedule your in-person visit through the IDOC visit scheduling system (SignupGenius). Save this step for last. Your visit won't go through without approval status and first-visit processing squared away first.

Calling to ask "Am I approved to visit?" will likely get you nowhere. IDOC staff can't confirm by phone whether you're on someone's visitation list. Your best bet is writing the incarcerated person directly to check your status and make sure you're actually cleared.