Can You Visit a Rhode Island Inmate If You Have a Criminal Record?

Every visitor must clear two background checks - BCI and NCIC - before visiting. If you haven't cleared both, you can't visit unless the Assistant Director of Institutions and Operations (ADIO) or the ADIO's designee specifically approves you. Translation: show up without complete clearances and the required approval, and you'll be turned away at the door.

Have a felony conviction? If you're immediate family, RIDOC policy says visits require approval from the ADIO or the ADIO's designee. A felony doesn't automatically disqualify you - but you can't visit until that approval comes through.

Immediate family members also need ADIO/designee approval if they have a pending criminal charge, are currently on probation for a misdemeanor or felony, or are serving a deferred sentence for a misdemeanor or felony. Same rule applies: no visits until ADIO (or a designee) gives the green light.

• ✓ Be ready to disclose a felony conviction (if you have one), since it requires ADIO/designee approval for immediate family visits
• ✓ If you have a pending charge, active probation (misdemeanor or felony), or a deferred sentence (misdemeanor or felony), plan on needing ADIO/designee approval
• ✓ Gather paperwork that clearly shows your current status (for example, whether a case is pending, or whether probation/deferred sentence is active)

Not immediate family? A felony record still doesn't automatically disqualify you, but it does require approval. RIDOC policy states that non-immediate family visitors with a felony record may only be granted visits with approval from the ADIO or the ADIO's designee.

For non-immediate family, the approval requirement goes beyond felonies. You'll need ADIO/designee approval if you have a pending criminal charge, have pled nolo contendere ("no contest") or been convicted of a misdemeanor, or are currently on probation or serving a deferred sentence for either a misdemeanor or felony.

1. Be upfront on the visitor application - if you have a felony record, a pending charge, a misdemeanor conviction/nolo contendere plea, probation, or a deferred sentence, your visit will require ADIO/designee approval.
2. Wait for the background checks - RIDOC uses BCI and NCIC checks as part of the process.
3. Make sure the right approval is requested - if any of the listed categories apply to you, visits can only be granted if ADIO (or a designee) approves.
4. Don’t go in assuming you’ll be allowed through - if you’re not fully cleared and approved, you can be turned away.

The ADIO is the gatekeeper for visitors with criminal-history issues. The policy is consistent: whether you're immediate family or not, certain records or case statuses mean you "may only be granted visits" if the ADIO or the ADIO's designee approves you. This includes felony records (for both immediate and non-immediate family), pending charges, probation status, deferred sentences, and - for non-immediate family - misdemeanor convictions or nolo contendere pleas.

Don't waste a trip. Fill out the visitor application completely and honestly, then wait for your BCI and NCIC checks to clear. If your situation falls into any approval-required category - felony record (immediate or non-immediate family), pending charges, probation, deferred sentence, or for non-immediate family a misdemeanor conviction or nolo contendere plea - your visit can't happen until ADIO (or a designee) approves it. Bottom line: clearance plus approval (when required) must happen before you're allowed through the door.

• ✓ Complete the visitor application fully and truthfully so your BCI and NCIC checks can be processed
• ✓ Flag anything that triggers ADIO/designee approval (felony record; pending charge; misdemeanor conviction or nolo contendere plea for non-immediate family; current probation; current deferred sentence)
• ✓ Keep documentation handy that shows your current status (especially if you’re on probation, on a deferred sentence, or have a pending case)
• ✓ Plan ahead for processing time - if you don’t clear both background checks, you can’t visit unless ADIO/designee approval is granted