Contact visits at Ocean County Jail: who qualifies, how to request one, and rules to expect
Contact visits at Ocean County Jail require more planning than regular visits. To get one approved, you need to know who qualifies, submit your request early with complete information, and follow the dress code—otherwise you risk getting turned away at the door.
Ocean County Jail only allows contact visits for people who have been incarcerated there for at least 90 days. If your loved one hasn't reached that mark yet, they won't qualify.
Your own history matters too. If you've ever been incarcerated at the Ocean County Department of Corrections - or in any prison anywhere - you won't be approved as a visitor for contact visits. In that case, stick with other approved ways to stay connected.
Contact visits take advance planning. The classification unit must receive your request at least 14 days before your requested date. Build that lead time into your schedule so you're not stuck waiting for the next opening.
- ✓ Each visitor’s full name
- ✓ Each visitor’s date of birth
- ✓ Each visitor’s Social Security number
- ✓ A complete form (incomplete forms will not be processed)
You'll also need to be preregistered as a visitor before scheduling your first visit. After registering, there's a 48-hour processing period - so don't wait until the week you want to visit.
Tip: Double-check the request form for missing details before it’s submitted, and start early - requests must reach the classification unit at least 14 days ahead, and preregistration takes 48 hours to process.
Contact visits happen on a fixed schedule. Fridays: 8:00–9:00 AM and 5:00–6:00 PM. Saturdays: 8:00–10:00 AM. Sunday visits (8:00–10:00 AM) are reserved for incarcerated people who qualify as a primary caregiver.
Visits run in 30-minute intervals, but you'll only get 15 minutes of actual visit time. The rest is built in for staff to conduct searches between sessions - don't expect the full half-hour at the table.
Once approved, your loved one can have one contact visit every 30 days. Keep that spacing in mind when planning travel, time off work, and who will attend.
Only two adult visitors are allowed per contact visit.
Deadline: If you need to cancel, cancellations must be submitted by 12:00 PM on the Wednesday before the requested visit.
Dress Code
- ✓ No dangling earrings
- ✓ No tank tops
- ✓ No flip flops/high heels
- ✓ No short skirts/shorts (must be at or below the knee)
- ✓ No low-cut shirts
- ✓ No jackets
- ✓ No purses
- ✓ No cellphones
- ✓ No exposed midriffs
Ocean County Department of Corrections can deny a visit if your attire is considered inappropriate. If you’re on the fence about an outfit, swap it for something simpler and more conservative - getting turned away at the door is a rough way to lose your time with your loved one.
Security is tight. After the visit, incarcerated people are strip-searched before returning to their housing area. They can't have anything in their possession during the visit.
Physical contact is limited. You can hold hands above the table during the visit, and one hug is allowed at the end.
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