Can Your Child Sit on Their Parent's Lap During Visits at Waupun?
Yes—Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI) may allow a child to sit on their parent's lap during a visit, but only if the child is within the age limit and staff approve it for safety reasons.
According to WCI's visiting guide, a person in their care (PIOC) may hold a child or have them sit on their lap if the child is age seven or under. This isn't automatic. Staff evaluate whether any risk factors exist, and they can restrict or end contact if they have safety or compliance concerns.
Keep contact “visible.” At WCI, hands can’t be placed inside or underneath anyone’s clothing, and hands or laps can’t be covered during the visit.
Wisconsin DOC's statewide visiting guidance addresses this too, but with a different age limit: inmates may hold their own children who are age five or under. Since statewide guidance and institution-specific rules don't always line up, treat WCI's visiting guide as your go-to reference when planning a visit at Waupun.
Watch the age cutoff. WCI’s guide references age 7 and under, while DOC’s statewide guidance references age 5 and under - verify the current policy with WCI before you go.
- Confirm the current WCI rule before your visit - Use WCI’s visiting information (or call the institution) so you’re working off the most current guidance.
- Plan for staff discretion on the day of the visit - Even if your child meets the age limit, holding/lap-sitting is only allowed if staff determine there are no risk factors.
- Schedule through ICSolutions - WCI handles in-person visit requests and scheduling through ICSolutions; if you run into registration issues, use the support resources ICSolutions provides for families.
Reminder: At WCI, lap-sitting for children age seven or under is conditional - staff must decide there are no risk factors.
Supervision and Group Size
- ✓ Maximum of 4 approved visitors per visit (this includes adults, minors, and infants).
- ✓ At least one visitor must be an adult.
- ✓ No one under age 16 may leave the visiting room without an adult escort.
Find an Inmate at Waupun Correctional Institution, WI
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
