Who to Contact When You Have Questions About Visiting Washington State Penitentiary
Got a question about visiting Washington State Penitentiary? Getting a quick answer usually comes down to calling the right office and leaving the right details the first time.
Call Washington State Penitentiary and ask for visit staff. If no one picks up, leave a voicemail. Visit staff work during visiting hours rather than typical business hours, so callbacks can take longer than you'd expect. In your message, include the incarcerated person's six-digit DOC number and a brief summary of your question - this helps them route your call and respond faster.
- ✓ The incarcerated person’s six-digit DOC number
- ✓ A brief summary of your concern
- ✓ Your contact information (so visit staff can reach you)
Note: Visitor names must match the name on the visitor’s current identification. If your name has changed, handle that update before your next visit.
If the facility can't resolve your issue, reach out to the Statewide Visit Unit. This is also the right contact when a problem goes beyond what facility staff can handle. Include the incarcerated person's name and six-digit DOC number in your subject line so they can match your message to the right record quickly.
- Update your name for visiting - Contact the Statewide Visit Unit by email or leave a voicemail on the general visit phone line. Include the incarcerated person’s name and DOC number, your current name, your previous name, and the state or country where your identification was issued.
- Change your relationship designation - You can email the Statewide Visit Unit, leave a voicemail, or mail copies of required documents to: Department of Corrections Attn: Statewide Visit Unit, PO Box 41118, Olympia, WA 98504-1118.
- Provide documents for immediate-family relationship changes - If you’re updating your relationship to one identified as an immediate family member, include copies of official documents (for example, marriage and/or birth certificates) with your request.
For questions outside of scheduling or visit records - like broader family support or navigating DOC resources - contact the DOC Family Services Team at docFamilyServicesUnit@doc.wa.gov.
Here's a quick rule of thumb: if your question is specifically about a visit - scheduling, resolving a problem, or following up - start with the facility's visit staff. For broader support outside the visit process, Family Services is your better bet.
Message Contents
- ✓ The incarcerated person’s full name
- ✓ The incarcerated person’s six-digit DOC number (include it in the subject line when emailing the Statewide Visit Unit)
- ✓ A brief summary of what you need help with
- ✓ Your contact information
Reminder: The name you use as a visitor needs to match your current ID. If it doesn’t, get your name updated before you try to visit.
Find an Inmate at Washington State Penitentiary
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
