Your First 40 Days: Temporary Visiting Rights for Newly Incarcerated People at MCI Norfolk
If your loved one just arrived at MCI Norfolk, there's a short-term visiting allowance while the normal visitor pre-approval process is underway. This temporary access doesn't replace the regular rules. You'll still need to be added to your loved one's pre-approved visiting list for ongoing visits.
Newly committed inmates can have two (2) visitors while visitor pre-approval is pending. The policy also allows a reasonable number of children during this period, so families aren't limited to just two people total if kids are part of the visit.
Keep in mind: The two-visitor allowance is temporary. To keep visiting after that initial window, you need to be approved through the normal process and listed on the inmate's pre-approved visiting list.
Those two temporary visitors don't stay active forever. If they're not properly approved through the application process, the two (2) pending visitors become inactive after forty (40) business days. Put simply: if the paperwork isn't completed and processed in time, those visitors lose the ability to visit until they go through approval.
Timing matters: Don't treat those first 40 business days as a grace period where you can put off the forms. Submit the Visitor Application Form and get the inmate's visitor list updated as soon as possible.
- Complete the Visitor Application Form: Each prospective visitor needs to fill out the Visitor Application Form so the facility can review them for approval.
- Mail the application to MCI Norfolk for processing: Once it’s completed, mail the form to the specific institution you intend to visit so it can be processed.
- Make sure the inmate adds you to their pre-approved visiting list: Before you visit, confirm your loved one has submitted your name so you can be placed on their pre-approved visiting list.
- Follow up if you are close to the 40-business-day mark: If time is passing and you have not heard back, be proactive about checking on the status so your temporary access does not lapse.
- ✓ Visitor Application Form completed for each visitor
- ✓ Visitor Application Form mailed to MCI Norfolk for processing
- ✓ Confirmation your loved one added you to their pre-approved visiting list
- ✓ Notes on when you mailed the form (and any proof of mailing you kept)
Tip: Mail the Visitor Application Form promptly and keep a record of when you sent it. That helps you stay ahead of the 40-business-day inactivity deadline.
If the two temporary visitors become inactive after forty (40) business days, it usually means the approval process wasn't completed in time. To regain visiting access, you'll need to go through the same approval route: complete a Visitor Application Form and get it processed by the institution.
- Re-submit a Visitor Application Form: Fill out the form again and send it in so you can be reviewed for approval.
- Confirm the inmate has you listed: Your loved one needs to have your name on their pre-approved visiting list for you to visit.
- Track your timeline: Keep your mailing date handy so you can monitor how long the process is taking and avoid another lapse.
Final reminders: Newly committed inmates can have two (2) visitors (plus a reasonable number of children) while pre-approval is pending. Those two visitors go inactive after 40 business days if not approved. Complete the Visitor Application Form, mail it to MCI Norfolk, and make sure your loved one adds you to their pre-approved visiting list.
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