Visiting Someone Who Just Got to Souza-Baranowski: The First 30 Days
The first month after someone arrives at Souza-Baranowski can feel confusing. There's a temporary visiting allowance while normal approval paperwork works its way through the system. Here's what that window means, why the 30-day deadline matters, and what you can do now to avoid delays.
When someone is newly committed to Souza-Baranowski (or another Massachusetts Department of Correction facility), they can receive up to two visitors - plus a reasonable number of visiting children - while those visitors are still pending pre-approval. This gives families a way to see their loved one early, even before the full approval process wraps up.
Note: This "two visitors pending approval" allowance is temporary. It doesn't replace the normal visitor listing requirement - your loved one still needs to submit their Inmate Visitor Listing within 30 days of admission.
There's a firm deadline your loved one has to meet: inmates must submit an Inmate Visitor Listing within thirty (30) days of admission to the Department. This matters because the facility uses that listing to start - and keep moving - the approval process for everyone your loved one wants to see.
Think of the first 30 days as a bridge. The temporary allowance (two visitors plus children) can get you an early visit while approvals are pending, but it's not a long-term workaround. The smoother path? Make sure your loved one submits that Inmate Visitor Listing within the 30-day window so visits can continue under normal approval rules.
The pending-visitor allowance only covers the gap while approvals are in progress. If visitors aren't properly approved through the application process, that allowance becomes inactive. Don't assume temporary access will carry you indefinitely. Use this early window to get the visitor paperwork and the inmate's visitor listing handled - not as a substitute for them.
- Have your loved one add you by name - Before you can visit, it’s their responsibility to notify the institution who may visit them by submitting each visitor’s name.
- Complete the Visitor Application Form and mail it to Souza-Baranowski - The Visitor Application Form needs to be filled out and mailed to the specific institution for processing prior to visiting.
- Confirm they submit the Inmate Visitor Listing within 30 days - This is the deadline that keeps the approval process on track during the first month after admission.
- ✓ A valid photo ID from the accepted list (for example: a state driver’s license, passport, military ID, or an official state or federal photo ID)
- ✓ A completed Visitor Application Form, ready to be mailed to the institution (the mailing address is listed on the form)
Timing tip: Use the temporary "two visitors" window for an early visit, but don't wait on paperwork. Each visitor still needs to be added by name, and the inmate's 30-day Inmate Visitor Listing deadline comes up fast.
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