Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Visitation

Before Your First Visit: The PVI (Prospective Visitor’s Interview) & Visitor Approval Explained

Your first visit goes smoother when you handle the paperwork upfront. Here's what the PVI (DOC 0148) is, where to get it, and how visitor approval works across Illinois IDOC facilities.

• 1 min read • idoc.illinois.gov
Before Your First Visit: The PVI (Prospective Visitor’s Interview) & Visitor Approval Explained

The PVI - short for

You can download the official IDOC PVI (DOC 0148) form online in English (Prospective_Visitor_english.pdf) or Spanish (Prospective_Visitor_spanish.pdf). Print it and fill it out before you go - it'll save time and keep you from scrambling to find the form at the last minute.

Good news: once you're granted written visitation approval at any IDOC facility, that approval stays valid across all IDOC facilities for your loved one's current incarceration. If they're transferred, you don't have to start over - your approval follows them.

Before Your First Visit: The PVI (Prospective Visitor’s Interview) & Visitor Approval Explained

Benefits and Risks

  • ✓ Download the DOC 0148 PVI ahead of time (English or Spanish) so you’re not scrambling on your first visit
  • ✓ Fill it out carefully before you arrive to help expedite the visiting process
  • ✓ Show up with the completed form so missing paperwork doesn’t slow down check-in
  • ✓ Reduce the chance of being turned away because you didn’t complete the required PVI as an adult visitor (18+)

Note: Be accurate and honest on the PVI. False or misleading information can put your visitation privileges at risk.

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