Why was my PICC visit denied? Common restrictions and how to request special permission

Reasons Denied

• ✓ You’re on probation, parole, or conditional release (including furlough or work release)
• ✓ You were incarcerated in any Philadelphia Department of Prisons facility within the last six months
• ✓ Staff believe you could have a detrimental effect on the person you’re visiting, or that you pose a security threat to the facility
• ✓ Your visiting privileges have been suspended

Being eligible to visit doesn't guarantee entry - you still have to clear check-in. Bring government-issued ID, and be ready to provide the name and ID number of the person you're visiting. After that comes a security search, which can affect whether you're allowed into the visiting area.

Sometimes the denial isn't about your paperwork at all. If the person you're visiting doesn't want to see you, you won't be allowed in. PDP won't force anyone to meet with a visitor.

Denied because of probation or parole status, recent PDP incarceration, a security concern, or suspended visiting privileges? You can request special permission from the facility's warden. That's the main path for asking the facility to make an exception.

1. Confirm the exact reason you were turned away - At check-in, you’ll be showing government ID and giving the name and ID number of the person you’re visiting; use that moment to ask staff what restriction triggered the denial.
2. Ask how to submit a special-permission request to the warden - If the denial matches one of the listed reasons, tell staff you want to request special permission and ask what they require for that request.
3. Include the identifying details staff rely on - Be ready to provide your government ID information and the incarcerated person’s name and ID number, since those are part of the standard check-in process.

1. Ask for the reason in plain language - During check-in (when you show government ID and provide the person’s name and ID number), ask staff to tell you which rule is blocking the visit.
2. Speak up if the search felt improper - If you believe the search crossed a line, ask to speak to a supervisor.
3. Request special permission when the denial matches the listed restrictions - If you were denied for one of the stated reasons, you can request special permission from the facility’s warden.

Knowing what to expect during screening can ease some of the stress. At PICC, an officer searches each visitor in a private room. You may be asked to loosen undergarments, and you'll also pass through a metal detector.