How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at Whitworth If You Aren't Immediate Family

At Whitworth, “immediate family” generally means the offender’s parents, brothers, sisters, spouse, grandparents, grandchildren, and children. These are the relatives the offender can request for visitation approval under the normal family-visitor path.

If you don’t fit that immediate-family list, you may still qualify as a “significant relationship visitor.” This category can include people like step-parents, in-laws, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, employers, and pastors - basically, people outside the immediate-family definition who may have a meaningful, supportive relationship with the offender.

Here’s the key detail that trips people up: the offender has to start this process. To request you as a significant relationship visitor, the offender must complete the “Significant Relationship Visitor Application for Visitation Privilege” form. If you’re trying to plan a visit, your first step is making sure the offender knows you want to be added and is willing to submit that form.

After the offender completes the application, it’s sent to the Warden/Superintendent for review. That review is what determines whether you’re approved to visit as a significant relationship visitor.

Because this is an exception path for people who aren’t immediate family, the facility may require supporting documentation to verify the relationship. If you’re a friend, an in-law, a step-relative, or another non-immediate-family contact, be ready to help the offender by providing whatever information is needed to back up the request as part of the application process the offender initiates.

Once the request is approved or disapproved, the offender is the one who gets notified. The offender is also responsible for telling you whether you were approved to visit, so don’t assume you’re cleared to come in until you’ve heard directly from them.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Ask the offender to start the process early by completing the “Significant Relationship Visitor Application for Visitation Privilege” form.
• ✓ Be prepared to provide supporting documentation or details if the facility requires verification of the relationship.
• ✓ Confirm with the offender that you were approved before you make plans to travel for a visit (the offender is the one who receives the decision).