How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements
You must be on the inmate's pre-approved visiting list before visiting MCI Norfolk. Submit the Visitor Application by mail using the addresses on the application (or the Prison Locations page), and bring a valid government-issued photo ID for entry. Visitor-list limits depend on security level: Maximum/Medium facilities allow 8 visitors, while Minimum/Pre-release facilities allow 10. An inmate's list can be revised up to three times per year. Newly committed inmates may have two temporary visitors and a reasonable number of children for up to 40 business days while approvals are pending. If you need to bring life-saving medication or a medical device, get prior Superintendent approval and bring written documentation, then declare the item at each visit. The facility uses passive drug-detection dogs. An alert can lead to a staff search, and refusing a search means no visit.
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Your first visit to MCI Norfolk goes smoother when you handle the approval paperwork ahead of time, bring the right documents, and know what to expect at screening. Use this checklist to avoid getting turned away at the door.
Bringing a child to visit someone at MCI Norfolk is straightforward—but the paperwork depends on who's bringing them. Here's what you need so you don't get turned away at check-in.
The first month after someone arrives at MCI Norfolk can feel confusing. Visiting starts with a short-term
Visitor-list limits at MCI Norfolk boil down to two things: everyone needs pre-approval (with a special rule for kids), and the maximum number of approved visitors depends on your loved one's security level.
Visiting someone at MCI Norfolk requires being on their pre-approved visiting list. The process is simple: complete the Visitor Application Form, mail it to the institution, and wait for a decision.
Before you try to visit MCI Norfolk, know this: visitors must be pre-approved. This applies to both in-person visits and video visits.
Yes. You need to complete the pre-approval process before scheduling a video visit at MCI Norfolk. Your loved one must add you to their pre-approved visiting list, and you'll also need to submit your visitor paperwork for the facility to review. Once both steps are done and approved, you can schedule through Securus.
Bringing a child to visit MCI Norfolk is straightforward once you know the key rules. Here's what you need to know about pre-approval for minors, who can accompany them, and when you'll need a Minor Consent Form plus Superintendent approval.
Visiting MCI Norfolk is straightforward once you know two key rules: adults must be on the inmate's pre-approved visiting list, and minors have their own requirements depending on who brings them.
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.
If your loved one was just committed to MCI Norfolk, there's a short window where you can visit while paperwork catches up. Newly committed inmates can have two (2) visitors come in while the pre-approval process is still pending — but this temporary access has a hard deadline. Those two pending visitors become inactive after forty (40) business days if they aren't fully approved by then.
Mail the Visitor Application to the institution for processing. The mailing addresses are listed on the third page of the application and on the Prison Locations page.
Yes. Children under 18 do not need pre-approval, but they must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian with physical custody who is on the inmate’s approved visiting list. If the accompanying adult is not the parent or guardian with physical custody, a Minor Consent Form and Superintendent approval are required.
The DOC uses passive drug-detection dogs as part of entry procedures. If a dog alerts, you'll be asked to step out of line and consent to a search by correctional staff. Refusing the search means you cannot visit and must leave. If drugs are found, you can be barred from visiting DOC facilities and may face criminal prosecution. You may seek review from the Facility Superintendent.
Bringing kids to visit at MCI Norfolk is usually straightforward—but the rules shift depending on who's accompanying the child and what paperwork you have. Here's how to make sure you don't get turned away at the door.
Setting up a video visit at MCI Norfolk? You'll need two things before you can schedule: approval through the facility and a Securus Video Visitation account.
The publicly available information about MCI Norfolk only covers video visitation, which requires a Securus Video Visitation account. Details about sending money (deposit methods, fees, limits, and processing times) are not included. You will need to verify the current money deposit instructions through official Massachusetts DOC channels before sending any funds.
