What Crimes Will Keep You From Visiting Someone at LCIW?

LCIW's visitation rules try to balance two goals: keeping family ties strong and keeping the facility secure. The policy recognizes that visits matter for maintaining relationships with family, extended family, and friends. At the same time, the institution needs to manage its capacity to process visitors and supervise the visiting area. That's why LCIW screens visitor criminal histories and can deny approval based on certain offenses. If you have a disability and need help participating in visitation, LCIW's policy states that reasonable accommodations will be made when feasible.

Specific Offenses

• ✓ Introduction and/or supplying contraband (including attempting or conspiring to introduce or supply contraband)
• ✓ Possession, control, or delivery of an explosive device or substance (including attempt or conspiracy)
• ✓ Assisting an imprisoned person in an escape or unlawful departure from a correctional facility (including an attempt or conspiracy)

LCIW can deny approval if you have a felony conviction and haven't been finally discharged from an institution, probation, or parole supervision for more than two years. The policy also requires that two-year window to be clean, specifying "without an intervening criminal record." In practical terms: even after your felony sentence ends, you may need a full two years with no new criminal record after final discharge before you can be approved for an imprisoned woman's visiting list.

LCIW also looks at charge volume, not just convictions. If you've had three or more felony charges in the previous five years (regardless of disposition), the policy says you can be considered ineligible to visit. Already on an approved visitor list? That same rule allows LCIW to revoke your privileges.

1. Write down what you are trying to clear up - whether it involves contraband-related offenses, explosives, escape assistance, a felony discharge date, or multiple felony charges in the last five years.
2. Pull the basics from your case history - list the charge names, dates, and the final outcome (including whether anything is still pending).
3. Find your final discharge date if you have a felony - the rule is tied to when you were finally discharged from custody, probation, or parole, plus a two-year period without an intervening criminal record.
4. Contact LCIW with the specifics - ask directly whether your convictions or pending charges make you ineligible, or whether an existing approval could be revoked under the five-year, three-or-more-felony-charges rule.

Respectful Language

• ✓ “I want to make sure I follow the rules so I do not cause any problems for you. Can we double-check what the facility will allow?”
• ✓ “I’m going to call and ask about my specific situation, because I do not want to guess and get turned away.”
• ✓ “If I cannot get approved right now, I still want to stay connected. Let’s talk about other ways we can keep in touch.”