What Happens If the Visiting Room Gets Too Crowded at Wende

At Wende, weekend visitation runs on a first-come, first-served basis. That’s convenient when things are quiet, but it also means the visiting room can fill up - especially during busy weekends - and staff may need to manage the crowd so everyone can be accommodated safely and fairly.

1. Staff ask for volunteers to end early - If the room is too full and visits need to be shortened, staff start by requesting voluntary termination from visitors.
2. Local visits may be ended after three hours (first-in, first-out) - If no one volunteers (or space is still tight), visits from people who live within 100 miles can be terminated after three hours, starting with the visits that began earliest.
3. Long-distance visits may be ended after three hours (first-in, first-out) - If overcrowding continues even after local visits are reduced, visits for people who traveled over 100 miles can be terminated after three hours, again on a first-in, first-out basis.
4. Certain visits get special consideration before termination - Visits with special permission, or visits for incarcerated individuals who haven’t had a visit in six months, are reviewed for special consideration by the Superintendent or Officer of the Day before a visit is terminated.

When the visiting room gets too crowded, staff start with the least disruptive option: asking if anyone is willing to end their visit early. You might hear an announcement or be approached directly. It's a simple ask - can you wrap up so other families can be seated?

If no one volunteers and the room is still packed, Wende moves to the next step: local visitors - those who live within 100 miles of the facility. Local visits can be ended after three hours, starting with whoever arrived first. The earliest visits wrap up first.

Still over capacity? Wende can then move to visitors who traveled more than 100 miles. These visits can also be ended after three hours, following the same first-in, first-out approach. The goal is to free up space in a consistent, predictable way.

Some visits get extra consideration before being cut short. If you have special permission for your visit, or if the person you're visiting hasn't had a visitor in six months, the Superintendent or Officer of the Day is supposed to review the situation first. If you think this applies to you, be ready to calmly explain it to staff if overcrowding becomes an issue.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Arrive as early as you can so your visit starts sooner - first-come, first-served systems tend to feel the tightest during peak times.
• ✓ Plan for the possibility that a busy day could shorten visits once the room hits its limits, especially if you’re local and your visit runs past three hours.
• ✓ If your visit involves special permission (or your loved one hasn’t had a visit in six months), be prepared to mention that if staff begin managing overcrowding.
• ✓ Check the DOCCS Visitors Page for additional visitation information before you travel, since Wende directs visitors there for broader visitation guidance.