How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements
Visiting at Pontiac Correctional Center takes some planning, but the core rules are straightforward. Hours run 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and you must arrive by 1:30 p.m. Call ahead to confirm the incarcerated person's authorized visiting day before you travel. Bring two forms of identification: a current photo ID plus a document verifying your date of birth. If the person you're visiting is housed in the Maximum Security Unit, visiting days rotate monthly on an even/odd schedule—double-check which day applies that month. Visits for individuals in Administrative Detention require prior approval from the Intelligence Unit, with the request submitted at least ten (10) days before the visit date. Attorneys needing a private interview room must request and receive approval in advance through Legal Services.
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Getting approved to visit someone at Pontiac Correctional Center starts with one key step: the Prospective Visitor's Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148). Here's who needs it, how to fill it out, and what happens when you show up for your first visit.
Scheduling your first in-person visit with someone in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) takes a few setup steps before you ever get in the car. Confirm where your loved one is housed, get approved to visit, and reserve a time online—then your first visit goes much more smoothly.
Visiting someone at Pontiac Correctional Center takes a little prep, but it's straightforward once you know the rules. The biggest trip-stoppers? Showing up without the right ID, arriving after the processing cutoff, or traveling on a day your loved one isn't authorized for visits—especially if they're in the Maximum Security Unit.
Video visits at Pontiac and other IDOC facilities go through ICSolutions. Once you're registered, the two things that trip families up most are the 7-day advance booking requirement and the strict daily and weekly visit limits.
IDOC video visits run through ICSolutions at most facilities, so getting your account set up correctly is the first step. Once you're registered, plan around the visit limits and conduct rules—breaking either can end your visit on the spot.
First visits are stressful — nobody wants to get turned away at the door. Here's exactly what Pontiac Correctional Center requires at check-in, what you can bring into the Visiting Room, and what needs to stay in your car or a locker.
Visiting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You must arrive by 1:30 p.m., and you should call ahead to confirm your authorized visiting day.
Bring two forms of identification. One must be a current photo ID, and you also need documentation that shows your date of birth.
Maximum Security Unit visiting days alternate monthly between even and odd days. Call ahead to confirm the incarcerated person’s authorized visiting day before you travel.
Yes. Administrative Detention visits require Intelligence Unit approval, and the request must be received at least ten (10) days prior to the visit date.
Sending mail to someone at Pontiac? Here's the key thing to know: most regular mail gets scanned and delivered digitally to tablets, while privileged and legal mail follows a separate process.
IDOC is switching phone service from Securus to ICSolutions. This affects when calls come through, how you set up your account, and what happens to money left in a Securus friends-and-family balance.
Staying connected with someone at Pontiac Correctional Center comes down to one key choice: pay for calls directly through a Friends & Family prepaid account, or deposit money to their trust account so they can buy phone minutes themselves. Here's how each option works and how to get started.
