Who Can Visit Someone at Thomas County Jail? Immediate Family vs. Significant Relationship

Immediate family includes parents, brothers and sisters, a spouse, and close lineal relatives - grandparents, grandchildren, and children. If you fall into one of these categories, you'll go through the standard family visitation approval process rather than the significant-relationship route.

Don't fit the immediate family definition? You may still be able to visit as a "significant relationship" visitor. This category covers step-parents and step-siblings, in-laws, extended family like aunts, uncles, or cousins, and personal connections such as friends. It can also include community and support relationships - an employer or pastor, for example - when the connection could support the person's rehabilitation.

1. Ask the offender to start the request - for significant-relationship visits, the offender has to initiate the process.
2. Have the offender complete the correct application - they must fill out the “Significant Relationship Visitor Application for Visitation Privilege” and send it to the Warden/Superintendent for review.

Significant-relationship visitors - step-family, in-laws, extended relatives, friends, employers, or pastors - may need to provide documentation verifying the relationship. Requirements vary, so confirm what's needed before expecting to be added to the approved visitor list.

After the offender submits the significant-relationship application, the Warden/Superintendent reviews it. Once a decision is made, the offender receives notice of approval or denial.