What to Expect During Contact Visits at Michael Unit
Contact visits at the Michael Unit allow some physical contact, but everything is structured and closely supervised. Here's what "contact" actually means, what touch is allowed, and how long and how often visits happen.
At the Michael Unit, a "contact visit" takes place either inside a designated visiting area or outside the main building (but still within the fenced perimeter). Unlike non-contact visitation, you and the inmate are allowed physical contact during these visits.
Note: All inmate visits are electronically monitored, except attorney-client visits. Assume staff can hear and see everything during your visit.
You can embrace and kiss, but it's limited. One embrace and kiss at the beginning of the visit, and one at the end. That's it.
Holding hands is allowed during contact visitation, as long as your hands stay on top of the table and in full view of staff.
Tip: Keep greetings and goodbyes brief, and hold hands on top of the table where staff can see them. That way your visit stays focused on time together, not rule corrections.
A regular visit lasts two hours. The clock starts when both the inmate and the visitor(s) are present, not when you first arrive at the unit.
Traveling a long distance? The warden may approve an extended visit for anyone traveling more than 250 miles one way. Extended visits can last up to four hours.
Visit frequency is tied to the facility's visiting cycle. Normally, eligible inmates are allowed one visit per cycle.
- ✓ G1, J1, J2: one contact visit per week
- ✓ G2, G3, P2, P3, P6, P7 with SAT 4 or higher: three contact visits per month
The "one visit per cycle" rule can vary by custody level, so confirm the inmate's current custody classification before you plan a trip. That classification determines which visit frequency applies.
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