Your First In-Person Visit at an Illinois DOC Facility: Step-by-Step Checklist
Your first in-person visit at an Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) facility goes smoother when you handle the basics in the right order. Follow these steps to confirm where your loved one is housed, schedule your visit correctly, and show up ready to get through entry.
Before scheduling anything, look up the incarcerated person using IDOC's inmate search and confirm which facility they're currently housed at. Your visit gets scheduled against that specific facility - and that's where you'll need to show up. Getting this right first saves you from booking the wrong schedule or driving to the wrong location.
IDOC schedules in-person visits through SignUpGenius. Book your time slot at http://www.signupgenius.com/org/visitidoc. Walk-ins aren't accepted - get your slot booked online first, then plan the rest of your day around that time.
Heads up: SignUpGenius times out after 30 minutes of inactivity. Start when you have a clear half hour so you can finish in one session.
For your first visit, adults 18 and older must complete a Prospective Visitor's Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148). The only exception is if you've already been approved through the electronic PVI process. Not sure if you've been approved? Assume you'll need to complete the form so you're not caught off guard at check-in.
Be accurate: If you provide false information on the PVI form, your visitation privileges may be restricted or revoked.
IDs and Vehicle Info
- ✓ Two forms of identification (adult visitors)
- ✓ One ID must be a current state-issued photo ID (for example, a driver’s license or state ID)
- ✓ Vehicle information (be ready to provide it)
Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled visit time. Check-in takes longer than you'd expect, and showing up late can cost you the visit - even if you did everything else right.
Expect screening when you enter State property. All visitors, vehicles, and items are subject to search. Keep what you bring simple and be ready to follow staff instructions.
Don’t refuse a search: If you won’t submit to a search, you can be denied entry and may face suspension or restriction of visiting privileges.
Even with an appointment, the facility can deny, suspend, or restrict visiting privileges when needed for operations and safety. The chief administrative officer makes that call based on security requirements, space availability, disruptive conduct by either the visitor or the incarcerated person, abuse of visiting privileges, or violations of laws and departmental rules. Your visit depends on both behavior and conditions inside the facility that day.
Inside the visiting room, rules are enforced in real time. The Visiting Room Officer gives one warning for minor violations. If disruptions continue, they get reported - and that can lead to a temporary restriction of visiting privileges for up to six months. Both you and the incarcerated person receive written notice when a restriction is issued. Treat that first warning as your chance to reset and finish the visit without further problems.
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