Getting Approved to Visit Someone in Louisiana DOC Custody (What Families Should Do for Union Parish Work Release)

Anyone can apply to visit someone housed in a Louisiana DOC facility - as long as the incarcerated person requests them first. Your loved one kicks off the process by asking to have you added to their visiting list. From there, your job is to complete whatever application or paperwork the facility requires.

The Department allows visitation at each institution, but balances that with safety, security, and reintegration goals. This matters because approval decisions aren't just paperwork - they also depend on whether the facility can safely manage your visit given its security needs and physical setup.

If your loved one is in "intake status," visits aren't allowed during that period. Intake typically covers the first 30 days after placement, so if they were just transferred, you may need to wait. If intake runs longer than expected, your loved one can request a special visit with immediate family through the reception center's procedures. Once they're out of intake status, the receiving facility may authorize immediate-family visits while your full application is still processing.

Expect a background review. Louisiana DOC is clear on one point: a prior criminal conviction doesn't automatically disqualify you. That said, the facility can deny your application if the nature of your offense reasonably suggests your presence could threaten the security or stability of the facility.

• ✓ Use your legal name and accurate identifying information on any paperwork so the background screening matches the right person.
• ✓ If you have a prior conviction, be prepared to address it directly - history alone isn’t an automatic disqualifier, but incomplete or inconsistent information can slow things down.
• ✓ If you’re currently supervised (probation/parole), ask your supervising officer what documentation they can provide to support your request.
• ✓ If you think there may be an active warrant or open case connected to you, deal with that before you try to visit; unresolved legal issues can create obvious security concerns.

If you're an ex-offender - or currently on probation or parole - you can still apply. A prior conviction alone shouldn't disqualify you. One way to strengthen your application: get an approval letter from your supervising officer. This documentation helps establish that you're eligible and that your presence can be managed safely. The facility can still deny your visit if they have specific safety concerns tied to your history, but supervision approval answers their first question upfront.

• ✓ A current approval letter from your probation/parole supervising officer (if you’re supervised)
• ✓ Any paperwork that clearly shows your supervision status and compliance (when available)
• ✓ A valid, current government-issued photo ID that matches the name you use on the application
• ✓ Copies of any documents the facility asks for - bring extras so you’re not scrambling if something gets misplaced

If you're denied, treat it as an administrative decision you can respond to - not a dead end. Ask for the decision in writing and request the specific reason. That way you'll know exactly what issue to address, whether it's something in your history or another concern the facility flagged.

1. Request the reason in writing - you need the specific basis for the denial so you’re not guessing.
2. Check whether the issue is “history” or “risk” - a prior conviction alone isn’t an automatic disqualifier, but the facility may be focused on the nature of the offense and what it suggests about safety on facility grounds.
3. Provide supporting documentation - if you’re on probation/parole, submit an approval letter from your supervising officer; if the denial points to missing or unclear information, correct it.
4. Ask about reconsideration timing - find out when (and how) the facility will review an updated request after you submit the additional paperwork.
5. Confirm any local appeal or reapplication process - procedures can vary by institution, so make sure you’re following the steps the facility uses for reviewing denials.