Getting Approved for Tabor's Visitor List: The Complete Application Checklist
Getting on an approved visitor list can feel like a lot of paperwork—especially the first time. At Tabor, the process is straightforward once you know what's required and what tends to trip people up.
Before anyone can visit, a visitor application must be completed and approved by facility staff. Here's how it works: the offender gets blank application forms from the facility and sends them to the people they want on their list. Every adult and every minor needs their own completed application. Once filled out, the forms go back to the prison facility where the offender is currently housed for approval.
Reminder: You can’t visit until the completed visitor application is approved by facility staff.
Tabor follows NCDAC's limit of 18 approved visitors per offender - adults and minors combined. Once that maximum is reached, the offender can't make changes or add anyone new until their next open enrollment period.
Certain visitors don't count toward the 18-person cap, though they still need to register with the facility before visiting. This includes legal visitors, law enforcement, consular officials, and certain local and state Family Services and Juvenile Court officials.
Tip: Know who counts toward the 18 approved visitors and who registers separately (legal or consular visitors, for example). This helps you avoid filling the list before everyone important is on it.
Reasons Applications Rejected
- ✓ The application is a copy instead of an original form
- ✓ The application is incomplete
- ✓ Required attachments are missing
- ✓ The application contains false information
- ✓ The visitor has a prior criminal record
Want the best shot at quick approval? Focus on the basics that cause most delays: use the original form (not a photocopy), fill out every field completely, and include any required attachments. Be honest - false information will get your application denied. If you have a criminal record, know that it may affect your eligibility.
Timing matters. The offender can only change their visitation list during open enrollment, which happens every six months based on their date of admission to prison. If someone was admitted in January, their open enrollment windows fall in July and January. Once the list hits 18 approved visitors, no changes can happen until the next window.
Good news if there's a transfer: the visitation list stays active, so approved visitors don't have to start over just because of a facility change. However, when the offender is released or paroled, the visitation list becomes inactive. If they're later re-admitted, the entire visitation process starts from scratch.
Plan ahead: Transfers keep the visitation list active. Release or parole makes it inactive - and re-admission means starting the visitation process over.
- Get the blank visitor application from the facility - the offender must obtain the blank forms and send them to the people they want to add.
- Use the original form and fill out every field - copied forms and incomplete applications are common reasons for disapproval.
- Add any required attachments - missing paperwork can cause the application to be denied.
- Answer everything truthfully - false information is grounds for disapproval.
- Return the completed application for approval - facility staff must approve the completed application before any visit can happen.
If you're unsure: Ask facility staff what attachments are required before submitting your application - especially if you have concerns about eligibility issues like a prior criminal record.
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