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Visitation

Why Your Visitor Application Might Be Denied (And What You Can Do)

A visitor application denial at North Dakota State Penitentiary (NDSP) usually comes down to background check results or problems with the application itself. Here's what typically causes denials—and what you can do about it.

• 2 min read • docr.nd.gov
Why Your Visitor Application Might Be Denied (And What You Can Do)

When you submit a visitor application at NDSP, your name goes through multiple databases. The facility checks with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, North Dakota Parole and Probation, and local law enforcement. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) can also pull FBI criminal history records using the information you provide - and those records may be grounds for denial or restricted visitation.

Active legal issues are an automatic disqualifier. If you have open criminal charges or an active warrant, you won't be approved to visit NDSP.

Be completely honest on your application - even if you're worried a "yes" answer might slow things down. If NDSP discovers you were untruthful, you won't be allowed to reapply for 90 days from your original application date.

Double-check the basics before submitting. Unsigned applications won't be processed - and that can feel like a denial when you're waiting for approval but nothing's moving.

Sometimes there's no single disqualifier - just a combination of concerns that surface during screening. Since NDSP checks your name against the state BCI, Parole and Probation, and local law enforcement, any outstanding issues in those systems can keep you off the visiting list.

Minors visiting NDSP: Children under 18 can only visit if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Special exceptions are rare and require written consent from the child's parent or legal guardian.

Why Your Visitor Application Might Be Denied (And What You Can Do)
  1. Confirm why you were denied - Start by contacting NDSP/DOCR to ask what part of the screening or application caused the denial (for example, a background check issue or an application problem).
  2. If the issue was dishonesty, wait out the 90 days - If you were found untruthful on the application, you can’t reapply for 90 days from the date of the initial application.
  3. If the issue was open charges or a warrant, address that first - NDSP does not allow visits for anyone with open criminal charges or an active warrant. Handle the legal issue before trying to reapply.

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