New Haven's 30-Minute Visit Policy: What It Means and How to Make the Most of a Short Visit

In-person visits at New Haven Correction Center are currently capped at 30 minutes. The reason? Staff need time to disinfect the visiting area between visits. This limit is in place "until further notice" - it could change, or it could stick around. Plan as if you'll have exactly 30 minutes.

Prepare

• ✓ Arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can check in without eating into your visit time.
• ✓ Treat “15 minutes” as the minimum; give yourself extra buffer for parking, lines, and the unexpected.
• ✓ Bring a valid photo ID so you don’t lose time (or get turned away) at the door.
• ✓ Decide what you want to cover before you walk in - key updates, questions, and any urgent family logistics.
• ✓ Keep your message focused: one or two priorities beats trying to squeeze in everything.
• ✓ Assume late arrival can shorten or cancel the visit, and plan your day around being early.

Since the 30-minute cap exists for disinfecting between visits, timing matters. Arrive early so your visit can start on schedule - delays eat into your window. If you're going with family, coordinate beforehand: decide who's attending, what updates need sharing, and which questions are priorities. You don't want to spend the first ten minutes figuring that out.

When 30 minutes isn't enough, video visits offer another way to stay connected. New Haven Correction Center provides them free of charge - a practical option for more frequent check-ins or conversations that include multiple family members from home.

1. Make sure you have a valid email address - You’ll need it to schedule a video visit.
2. Use video visits to extend connection time - Since video visits are free of charge, they’re a good backup when an in-person 30-minute slot feels too short.
3. Plan your conversation the same way you would for a short in-person visit - Have your main topics ready so the call time goes to what matters most.