How to Get Approved for a Visit at High Security Center If You Have a Criminal Record

Visitor approvals for people with disqualifying records aren't automatic at RIDOC, and the sign-off can come from different officials depending on your situation. If you're not immediate family and you have a felony, a pending charge, a drug-related misdemeanor, a nolo contendere plea, or you're on probation, you'll need approval from either the Assistant Director of Institutions and Operations (ADIO) or the facility warden. Immediate family members face a different process: those with a felony, pending charge, current probation, or deferred sentence can only visit with ADIO or designee approval.

Before you can visit regularly, RIDOC runs background checks. Your name needs to be on the inmate's approved visitors list, and getting on that list requires passing both Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) checks. Fail those checks, and you won't be permitted to visit - unless you get specific approval from the ADIO or designee.

1. Get your name submitted for the visitors’ list - regular visits start with being listed on the inmate’s approved visitors’ list.
2. Clear both background checks (BCI and NCIC) - you must pass both checks to appear on any inmate’s visitors’ list.
3. If you don’t clear, seek the correct approval - without clearance, you can’t visit unless the ADIO or designee specifically approves you.

Your relationship to the inmate matters because it determines who has to approve your visit when you have a record. RIDOC defines immediate family as: parent, spouse (including common-law), child, step-child, brother, step-brother, sister, step-sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, and uncle. There's a narrower definition for ex-inmates visiting - limited to parent, spouse, brother, sister, grandparent, child, and grandchild. But don't assume immediate family status means automatic clearance. If you're immediate family with a felony, pending charge, current probation, or deferred sentence, you still need ADIO or designee approval.

If you have a felony, pending charge, drug-related misdemeanor, nolo contendere plea, or you're on probation, your visit depends on formal approval - not just showing up. Non-immediate-family visitors need sign-off from the ADIO or facility warden. Immediate family with a felony, pending charge, probation, or deferred sentence must get approval from the ADIO or designee. If you're granted an exception, ask for it in writing. That documentation can save you headaches if questions come up later.

Practical Steps

• ✓ Ask the inmate to add your name to their visitors’ list (regular visits require you to be on the list).
• ✓ Be ready for RIDOC to run both BCI and NCIC background checks; you must pass both to appear on any inmate’s visitors’ list.
• ✓ If you don’t clear the checks, don’t plan on visiting unless you get specific approval from the ADIO or designee.
• ✓ If you’re not immediate family and you have a felony record, pending charge, misdemeanor drug-related record, you pled nolo contendere, or you’re on probation, request the required approval (ADIO or the facility warden).
• ✓ If you are immediate family and your situation involves a felony record, pending charge, probation, or a deferred sentence, request approval through the ADIO/designee channel.
• ✓ Keep copies of any approvals or conditions you’re given so you can reference them if your status is questioned later.

1. Get on the visitors’ list - to visit regularly, your name must appear on the inmate’s visitors’ list.
2. Clear BCI and NCIC - passing both checks is required to be added to the list.
3. Save proof of approval or conditions - if an exception is granted, keep the written approval and any stated limits with your visit paperwork.