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Visitation

How Many People Can Visit at Once? WRDCC Visitor Limits and the Child-Age Conflict

Planning a visit to WRDCC and wondering how many people can come—especially if you've got kids? Here's the rule, the exception for young children, and one detail you'll want to verify before making the drive.

• 2 min read • doc.mo.gov
How Many People Can Visit at Once? WRDCC Visitor Limits and the Child-Age Conflict

At Western Reception, Diagnostic And Correctional Center (WRDCC), a visit is limited to 3 visitors per offender. That “per offender” wording matters - if you’re visiting one person, plan your group size around that limit unless a specific exception applies.

Being part of the group isn't just about showing up. Everyone must be pre-approved through the visiting application process, and the department runs a criminal history check before you're cleared. If someone in your group isn't approved yet, they won't be allowed in that day.

Families with small kids can sometimes bring more people. One set of guidance says the standard limit is 3 visitors per offender, but you may include up to 3 additional visitors who are age 5 and under. That means up to 6 people total when the extra visitors are very young children.

Here's the catch: a different WRDCC-related source describes the same setup - 3 visitors per offender, with up to 3 additional visitors - but sets the child cutoff at age 10 and under. That directly conflicts with the "age 5 and under" wording. Don't assume the higher age limit will be accepted at the door.

Verify before you go: WRDCC guidance conflicts on whether the “extra visitors” rule applies to children 5 and under or 10 and under. Call ahead and ask which age cutoff staff are enforcing for your visit date.

One more detail worth knowing: visitors may only visit one offender, unless you're an immediate family member of more than one person incarcerated there. If that applies to your family, the exception may matter. Otherwise, plan on choosing one person to visit per trip.

Timing matters too. The visiting room can fill up depending on the day and session. WRDCC visiting hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with two time blocks: 9:30am–1:30pm and 2:30pm–6:30pm.

How Many People Can Visit at Once? WRDCC Visitor Limits and the Child-Age Conflict

Want to avoid getting turned away after a long drive? Call WRDCC directly and confirm the current limit for your group. The main phone number is (816) 387-2158.

  • ✓ Confirm every adult visitor is already pre-approved (visiting application completed) and cleared through the criminal history check
  • ✓ Ask which child age cutoff is being used for “extra visitors” (5 and under vs. 10 and under)
  • ✓ Confirm the total number of people allowed to enter for your loved one on that visit (including children)

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