Visiting with Children at Larned: Rules, Documents, and When Kids Are Not Allowed
Bringing a child to visit at Larned takes some planning. The biggest issues families run into? Approval status, the adult/guardian requirement, and having the right documents at check-in.
You can't just show up at Larned and get added to the list at the door. The process starts with the resident: they request a visiting form from their unit counselor, then mail it to the people they want on their list. Once you receive it, fill it out and mail it back to the facility for review. Approval includes a criminal background check, and no one gets in until that application clears. There's also a cap to keep in mind - each resident can have a maximum of 20 visitors on their approved list. If it's already full, the resident will need to remove someone before a child can be added.
The rule for children is simple but strict: minors can only visit if they're approved on the resident's list. The adult bringing the child must also be approved - and must be the child's parent or legal guardian.
Get your paperwork sorted before you leave home. ID problems can end a visit before it starts. You'll need to show government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or state ID) at check-in. For children under 16 who don't have photo ID, a copy of an official state-issued birth certificate works. If you're a non-U.S. citizen without a U.S. or state government photo ID, bring a valid passport or visa.
Even when a child is on the approved list, minors may not be allowed to visit if the resident is being managed as a sex offender. If you think this might apply, confirm the rules for that specific situation before getting your child's hopes up.
Visits can be refused or ended: A shift supervisor may deny, suspend, or terminate a visit for reasons that often come up with families - like failing to properly supervise children, showing up under the influence of drugs or alcohol, refusing to submit to a search, not providing sufficient ID (or falsifying information), if you or your child appears ill, or if there’s insufficient space in the visiting area.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Bring your government-issued photo ID for check-in.
- ✓ If your child is under 16 and doesn’t have photo ID, bring a copy of their official state-issued birth certificate.
- ✓ Make sure the resident has mailed you the visiting request form and you’ve completed it and mailed it back for review.
- ✓ Don’t make the trip until your visitor application has been approved.
Bringing kids? Go in with a supervision plan. Visits can be denied, suspended, or ended if children aren't properly supervised - so keep them close, calm, and with you, especially during check-in and while waiting. It also helps to set expectations about contact before you walk in. At Larned, physical contact is limited to a brief embrace or kiss at the beginning and end of the visit. Hand-holding isn't allowed. Explaining this to kids ahead of time can prevent an awkward moment - or a rule violation - once the visit starts.
Before you head out, double-check the basics that commonly trip families up: Is everyone approved? (No one gets in until the application clears.) Does the resident have room on their list? Each resident can have up to 20 approved visitors - if that limit is reached, they'll need to remove someone before adding anyone new, including a child.
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