How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at Southeast Correctional Center (SECC)
Visiting someone at Southeast Correctional Center (SECC) requires pre-approval through the Missouri Department of Corrections visiting application. The process is usually straightforward if you take it step by step and submit a complete, honest application.
The Missouri Department of Corrections limits who can apply to visit someone at SECC. Eligible applicants include immediate family: spouse, legal guardian, parents, in-laws, siblings, children, grandparents, great-grandparents, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Extended family (uncles, aunts, cousins), significant others, friends, and clergy can also apply. One rule that catches people off guard: you can only visit one offender. The exception is if you're an immediate family member of more than one offender, in which case you may be approved to visit both.
Must have: You need the offender's DOC ID to submit the online visiting application. Without that number, you won't be able to complete the form.
Missouri DOC handles visiting applications online. The form will ask for the offender's Department of Corrections Identification Number (DOC ID) right away. Get that number before you start so you can complete and submit the application in one sitting.
Do not show up yet: Do not attempt a visit until final approval is received.
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. The form won't let you submit until every required field is filled in, so take your time and double-check that you haven't skipped any starred items.
Near the end of the application, you'll need to agree to comply with visiting regulations, including consenting to searches. This agreement is required to complete your submission. Read it carefully so you understand what you're agreeing to before you hit submit.
Tip: Be thorough and honest on every question, including the rules and search consent section. Incomplete or inaccurate answers can delay processing or lead to a denial.
- ✓ If the visitor is a minor child, use the instructions for the Identification Number section.
- ✓ Choose “other” for the type (under Identification Number).
- ✓ Enter “NA” for the number (in the offender ID field) when the instructions indicate this applies.
Approval isn't automatic. Missouri DOC runs a criminal history check as part of the pre-approval process. Give yourself time for that review, and don't make travel plans until you know you've been approved.
Once you complete the application and click Finish, the form is sent electronically to the institutional case manager at the offender's facility. For someone housed at SECC, that means the SECC case manager receives it for processing.
After a decision is made, the offender gets notified of your visiting status. It's then on them to let you know whether you've been approved. Don't try to visit before you get that confirmation. If you show up without approval, you'll be turned away at the door.
If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal. Missouri DOC allows you to send a written appeal letter within 30 days to the Deputy Division Director of Adult Institutions in Jefferson City. A denial isn't permanent. You can reapply for visiting status after one year.
Troubleshooting
- ✓ Double-check that you entered the offender’s DOC ID correctly (you cannot submit without it).
- ✓ Go back through the form and complete every required field marked with an asterisk (*).
- ✓ If the visitor is a minor child, follow the minor instructions for the Identification Number area (choose “other” for type and enter “NA” for the number when applicable).
Have questions about your application after clicking Finish? The institutional case manager is your point of contact, since that's where the completed application goes for review.
Find an Inmate at Southeast Correctional Center
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
