Before Your First In‑Person Visit to RYOCF: A Complete Checklist
First visits can feel stressful—one small mistake can end your trip at the front desk. Use this RYOCF-focused checklist to confirm you're approved, pack the right essentials, and avoid the most common reasons people get turned away.
Before you plan the drive, make sure you're actually approved to visit. At RYOCF, every prospective visitor - including minors - needs a completed DOC-21AA Visitor Questionnaire on file. Here's how it works: the person you're visiting (the PIOC) obtains the DOC-21AA and mails it to you. You fill it out and return it to the institution for processing. Haven't submitted that questionnaire yet? Assume you're not cleared until you've confirmed approval.
Bring an unexpired, official photo ID that matches the name on your visiting paperwork. Keep it easy to access - you don't want to be digging through your car or pockets at the entrance. Not sure if your ID will be accepted? Call ahead. Getting all the way there and being turned away is a rough way to learn the rules.
Note: The DOC-21AA isn’t just for getting approved - there’s also a checkbox on it you can use to request certain visiting accommodations.
Prohibited Items
- ✓ Weapons
- ✓ Cell phones, cameras, pagers, recording equipment, and all other electronic devices
- ✓ Illegal drugs
- ✓ Alcohol
- ✓ Tobacco and related products
- ✓ Matches and lighters
- ✓ Purses
- ✓ Strollers
- ✓ Money or other items intended to be given to a PIOC
- ✓ Letters, photos, and legal papers (unless you already have prior written approval)
Note: If you need to bring paperwork for a signature (for example, certain tax-time documents), you’ll need prior written approval from a Security Supervisor before you try to bring it in.
You'll go through security screening, including a metal detector. If you have a medical appliance or assistive device that prevents you from clearing the detector, request accommodations in advance. You can use the DOC-2424 Visitor Requesting Accommodations form (available in English and Spanish) or check the accommodations box on the DOC-21AA. Don't wait until you're in the lobby - showing up without an approved accommodation can end your visit before it starts.
- Get the DOC-2424 completed by your physician - the facility requires medical verification for accommodations.
- Have your provider return it to RYOCF’s Security Director - it can be returned as the DOC-2424, or sent by fax on medical provider letterhead (and it must include the name of the PIOC you intend to visit).
- Wait for approval before you travel - pacemaker cards or other medical ID cards are not accepted as proof, and until the DOC-2424 is approved you won’t be allowed to visit.
Build extra time into your plan. Treat your arrival time like a hard deadline - if you're more than 20 minutes late for an in-person visit at RYOCF, you won't be allowed in and the visit will be cancelled.
Planning to buy snacks or drinks during the visit? Know what you can bring for the vending machines. As of 3/23/2025, RYOCF allows visitors to bring one credit/debit card for visiting-room vending, plus cash. The existing limit on coins stays the same, so don't assume you can bring unlimited change.
- ✓ The PIOC is not allowed to handle coins for the vending machines at any time
- ✓ Only visitors are allowed to approach and operate the vending machines
- ✓ Food and drink cannot be shared between the PIOC and visitors
Need to confirm details before you leave? Call Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility (RYOCF) at (262) 638-1999. The facility is at 1501 Albert Street, Racine, WI 53404.
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