How to Get on Someone’s Visitor List at Kewanee Re-entry Center
Before you can schedule an in-person visit at Kewanee Re-entry Center, you'll need to be on the incarcerated person's approved visitation list. Here's how to make that happen and what comes next.
First, confirm you have the right person at the right facility. IDOC asks visitors to use the IDOC inmate search to verify where someone is currently housed before doing anything else. This matters because visitation is tied to their current location. If they've been transferred and you don't know it, you could end up following the wrong process entirely.
For most people, visiting starts with one requirement: being on the incarcerated person's approved visitation list. IDOC's rule is simple - visitors must be on that list to be granted a visit. Legal visitors and government officials are the exception. If you're family or a friend, assume you need to be listed before you can get through the door.
Once you're on the list, there's one more step for first-time visitors. IDOC requires adults (18 and older) to complete a Prospective Visitor's Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148) before their first visit - unless you've already been approved through the electronic PVI process. Legal visitors and government officials are exempt. Plan for this paperwork so check-in doesn't catch you off guard.
- Write to the incarcerated person - Ask them to add you to their approved visitation list.
- Include the basics in your note - Put your full name and your relationship to them so they can match you correctly.
- Wait for them to confirm your status - IDOC’s guidance is to verify through the incarcerated person, not through the facility.
Note: IDOC staff can’t tell you over the phone whether you’re on someone’s visitation list. Writing the incarcerated person is the reliable way to check.
Getting approved and scheduling a visit are two separate steps. After you've confirmed you're on the list, you'll need to schedule through IDOC's online system (SignupGenius). Trying to schedule before you're approved? You'll likely run into problems at the door or have your visit denied.
Your first visit will include completing the Prospective Visitor's Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148) - unless you already received electronic approval. This applies to adult visitors 18 and older. Legal visitors and government officials are exempt. Arrive ready to fill it out, and check-in will go faster.
- ✓ Bring two forms of identification if you’re an adult visitor; one must be a current state-issued photo ID.
- ✓ Be prepared to provide your vehicle information when you arrive.
Not sure if you're approved? Calling won't help - IDOC staff can't verify visitation-list status over the phone. Your best option: write the incarcerated person and ask them directly to confirm whether you're on their list. If you're also unsure where they're housed, use the IDOC inmate search first so your request matches their current facility.
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