How to Get Approved to Visit Someone in a Massachusetts Prison

At Massachusetts DOC facilities, visits start with a pre-approved visiting list. Your loved one has to add your name to that list before you can visit. You can't just show up and sign in. The pre-approval process needs to be completed first so the institution can decide whether to clear you.

Your loved one is responsible for telling the institution who they want on their visiting list. New admissions have a deadline: Massachusetts requires the inmate to submit an Inmate Visitor Listing within 30 days of admission to the Department. On your end, you'll need to complete a Visitor Application form and mail it to the specific institution you plan to visit so it can be processed.

Once the application is submitted, the institution reviews it and makes an approval or denial decision. Both you and the inmate will be notified of the outcome. Processing times and visit logistics vary by institution, so confirm the local visiting procedures and hours once you know you're approved.

Limits By Security

• ✓ Maximum security: up to 8 pre-approved visitors
• ✓ Medium security: up to 8 pre-approved visitors
• ✓ Minimum security and pre-release: up to 10 pre-approved visitors

If your loved one needs more than the standard maximum, they can request an exception. The Superintendent can approve it in writing.

Massachusetts has a special rule for people who are newly committed. While the visitor pre-approval process is pending, newly committed inmates are allowed two visitors and a reasonable number of visiting children. This temporary allowance doesn't last forever. Those two visitors become inactive after 40 business days if they aren't properly approved through the application process. Keep the clock in mind on the inmate's side, too: they're required to submit an Inmate Visitor Listing within 30 days of admission to the Department.

Children have their own set of rules. Minors (anyone under 18) don't need pre-approval to visit, but they can't come alone. A minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has physical custody and who is on the inmate's pre-approved visiting list.

If the adult bringing the child isn't the parent or legal guardian with physical custody, there's an extra step. That adult must submit a completed Minor Consent Form and get the Superintendent's approval before visiting with the minor.

If you've recently been in DOC custody yourself, expect extra screening before you can be approved. A visitor who was paroled or otherwise released from Department custody must get permission from the Superintendent before visiting someone who is still confined. For family members, Massachusetts DOC says recently released inmate family members may not be considered for visitation approval for six months following release. If you're not immediate family and have a prior incarceration, you may apply for visitation one year after release from confinement.

Approval isn't permanent if visitor rules are violated. Visiting privileges may be suspended or removed for violations of the visitor rules in 103 CMR 483 (Visiting Procedures). If your privileges are suspended or removed, you'll be told why, how long you'll lose visiting privileges, and what the appeal process is.

Video visits follow the same rules as in-person visits. You must complete the pre-approval process and be on your loved one's pre-approved visiting list before you can schedule a video visit.

Massachusetts uses Securus Video Visitation for video visits. Set up your account with Securus so you can access scheduling and the visit platform.

Verify Institution

• ✓ What are the current visiting hours for this institution?
• ✓ How long is pre-approval currently taking to process?
• ✓ What do I need to bring on the day of the visit (ID requirements, check-in rules)?
• ✓ What is the dress code, and what will get a visitor turned away?
• ✓ What personal items are allowed inside the visiting area?
• ✓ Are there any extra steps required to schedule video visits after I am approved?