Understanding Southeastern Correctional's 15-Visitor Limit: Who Counts and Who Doesn't

Southeastern Correctional Facility allows up to 15 approved adult visitors on an incarcerated person's visiting list. But here's where people get tripped up: only two of those adults can be listed as

Children are handled differently. If a child appears in the DOTS Portal as an

• ✓ Approved minors in DOTS Portal can’t put money on an incarcerated person’s account.
• ✓ Approved minors can’t conduct video visits unless a parent or legal guardian is with them.

What gets declared during reception can shape the visiting list down the road. When someone first arrives, they must identify immediate family members and the mother or father of their children on the Incarcerated Person Reception Visiting List (DRC2248). Staff enter this into the DOTS Portal visiting-list screen (VSL) - so getting those key relationships right from the start matters.

Statewide rules set the baseline, but each institution has flexibility based on space and programming. The ODRC General Visiting Instructions (DRC2274) and Declaration of Understanding (DRC2554) should be available to staff, incarcerated people, and visitors - ask to review them if you're sorting out a visiting-list issue. The managing officer at each facility also has discretion over visiting hours, how many visitors are allowed, visit frequency, duration, and which visits get priority.

1. Ask to review the visiting instructions - Request access to the ODRC General Visiting Instructions (DRC2274) and the Declaration of Understanding (DRC2554) so you’re working from the same rules staff are using.
2. Explain what you’re requesting and why - Keep it specific (for example, a change related to visit priority, timing, or how visits are being managed).
3. Request a managing-officer review - Because the managing officer has discretion over visiting hours, number of visitors allowed, frequency, duration, and priority, this is the level that can consider special circumstances.

If the visiting list feels maxed out, start by separating two different limits: the 15 approved adult cap and the two-friend cap. A lot of frustration comes from assuming the list hit 15 when it's actually blocked because both friend slots are taken. Talk it through with your loved one. Since the institution controls how visits are scheduled and prioritized, agreeing on who truly needs to be on the list - and who can wait - saves everyone time. Dealing with something urgent or unusual? The managing officer has discretion over the number of visitors allowed and visit priority, so a clear, calm request can make a difference.

1. Get clear on the problem - Is the issue the 15 approved adult limit, the two-friend limit, or how visits are being prioritized and scheduled?
2. Put the request in plain language - Describe what outcome you’re asking for (for example, a change in visit priority or another accommodation tied to visit management).
3. Ask for a managing-officer decision - The managing officer has discretion over visiting hours and over the number, frequency, duration, and priority of visits, so this is the right channel for special consideration.

• ✓ If you’re near the 15-adult cap, prioritize the adults who need to be on the list most.
• ✓ Watch the two-friend cap separately; once two friends are approved, additional friends won’t fit even if other slots exist.
• ✓ If the list needs to change over time, coordinate with your loved one so the right adults are approved when it matters most.