What to Expect if Your Loved One Is in Reception at Menard Correctional Center

Reception status means tight restrictions while Menard completes intake and orientation. Don't expect regular in-person visits - only legal visits tied to an active case are allowed. Phone calls are restricted too, and commissary access tops out at $15 once per month.

Regular visits don't happen during reception at Menard. The only exception is legal visitation for a current case. Family and friends won't be able to schedule a standard visit until reception is complete - but attorneys can still meet with your loved one when there's an active legal need.

Phone access is limited during reception. Calls are only allowed for legal matters, court orders, or emergencies. If you're waiting for that first call home, it may take a while - or it may not happen at all unless one of those exceptions applies.

Even with visits and phone calls restricted, your loved one can still send and receive mail during reception. For many families, letters become the most reliable way to share updates and support during this stretch.

Menard provides access to reading materials during reception, including the facility Law Library. If your loved one needs to understand their situation or work on legal paperwork, this access matters - especially when phone time and regular visits aren't available.

Commissary is available during reception, but it's capped at $15 once per month. Purchases are limited to basics - hygiene items, writing supplies, gym shoes, and a cup. This isn't the time for stocking up on extras.

People in reception at Menard don't receive state pay. If you're budgeting for their needs, keep that in mind - any spending money for commissary won't be coming from a state paycheck during this period.

Daily life in reception is more controlled than general population. Movement is escorted, and meals are served in-cell. When they do leave the cell, it's only for specific reasons: recreation, showers, legal visits, medical care, mental health services, and classification interviews.

Reception and orientation go hand in hand at Menard. After transfer, individuals are housed separately from general population until they complete orientation. Menard policy requires a thorough orientation in the person's own language, covering facility expectations and available programs.

Practical Advice Families

• ✓ Write and mail letters regularly, since individuals in reception can send and receive mail.
• ✓ Don’t plan a regular visit while your loved one is in reception; only legal visits tied to a current legal case are permitted.
• ✓ If you need phone contact, focus on the allowed exceptions: legal calls, court-ordered calls, or emergencies.
• ✓ If there’s an active legal issue, coordinate with an attorney about arranging a legal visit.
• ✓ Call the facility to confirm whether your loved one is still in reception status before making plans around contact.

1. Confirm they’re in reception/orientation - reception status is when regular visits aren’t allowed, so it helps to verify their current status before you try to plan a trip.
2. Use mail as your default contact - individuals in reception can send and receive mail, and it’s often the most consistent way to stay connected during this stage.
3. Set up legal communication if there’s an active case - if your loved one is working on a current legal case, legal visits are permitted, so coordinate through their attorney.