How to Schedule a Visit at River North Correctional Center (and what to check before you drive)
Once you're approved, you can book an in-person visit through the online Visitation Scheduler. The booking window opens 14 days in advance - enough time to plan, but not so far out that you can schedule months ahead. One limit to keep in mind: you're allowed one visit per weekend. If you're juggling rides, childcare, or multiple family members who want to come, choose your date carefully so you don't accidentally use up your slot.
Arrive one hour before your scheduled visit. That buffer covers security screening and check-in. Show up closer to the start time and you risk losing your visit entirely if there's a line or screening runs long.
Heads-up: Don’t bring food or drinks - none are allowed inside, and there’s no access to vending machines during visits.
VADOC facilities generally offer visiting on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays. But schedules aren't universal - procedures and hours vary by institution and can change without much notice. Before you finalize travel plans for River North Correctional Center, call to confirm the current schedule. A quick check beats a wasted drive.
Bringing a child? Plan ahead. Minors must be approved and registered before the visit, and they need to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another approved adult visitor. Also note that minors who are immediate family qualify only for contact visits - so the type of visit matters when you're figuring out who's coming and what to expect.
Bad weather can shut things down fast. VADOC sometimes cancels in-person visitation statewide due to inclement weather. When that happens, video visitation may still be available - so check your options before writing off the weekend entirely.
Cancellations aren't always statewide. VADOC also posts facility- and housing-unit-specific closures - sometimes as targeted as a single pod, sometimes as broad as an entire building closed until further notice. Don't assume last month's routine (or someone else's experience) guarantees your visit will happen as planned.
- Check the VADOC visitation updates before you leave - Look for any statewide notices (like inclement weather cancellations) that could cancel in-person visits even if the facility is otherwise operating.
- Look for River North–specific updates - Facility and housing-unit closures can affect whether your loved one’s area is eligible for visits.
- Contact River North directly the day you plan to go - Visitation procedures can vary by institution and can change at any time, so a quick confirmation can save you a long drive.
S5
- ✓ Your visit is scheduled through the online Visitation Scheduler, within the 14-day booking window
- ✓ You haven’t already used your one permitted visit for the weekend
- ✓ Your visitor approval is current (applications expire after three years); renew at least 45 days before expiration (in-state) or 90 days (out-of-state)
- ✓ If a minor is visiting: they’re approved/registered and will be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an approved adult visitor
- ✓ You’re leaving early enough to arrive one hour before your scheduled time for security screening
- ✓ You’ve checked for statewide inclement-weather cancellations (in-person may be canceled while video continues)
- ✓ You’ve checked for facility- or housing-unit-specific cancellations that could affect your visit
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