How to Get Approved for Visits at York CI: Visitor Approval Steps and Courtesy Visits
Getting approved to visit at York CI takes some prep, but the process is straightforward once you know the steps. Here's what you need to know about approval, plus how courtesy visits work if you're immediate family and your application is still pending.
You must be on the incarcerated person's approved visiting list before you can visit at York CI. Show up without approval and you'll likely be turned away - even after a long drive. Confirm you're on the list before making the trip.
Note: If the incarcerated person is on any quarantine status, they can’t participate in social visits until they’re cleared by the Health Services Unit.
Start App
- ✓ Valid photo ID (required for all visitors to enter the facility)
Timing matters. You need to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled visit to check in. That buffer gives you time to get through the front-end process without running into problems at the door.
Still waiting on your application? Wardens can approve a courtesy visit for up to two adult immediate family members before the full approval comes through.
Courtesy visits exist because the approval process takes time. At Connecticut DOC facilities, visitor applications typically take two to three weeks to process. A courtesy visit can bridge that gap while you wait.
Keep the capacity limit in mind: only two visitors are allowed per in-person visit, and that includes children. If multiple family members want to come, decide ahead of time who's visiting during that window.
Reminder: Arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in. If you’re late, the visit may be shortened or canceled due to scheduling restraints.
Watch the calendar - visits don't run on state-observed holidays. That includes New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, and others. Don't assume a holiday visit will happen on the normal schedule.
For questions about inmate status or related issues, contact the Connecticut DOC Public Information Office at 24 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109, or call 860-692-7780.
Checklist
- ✓ Bring valid photo ID
- ✓ If you’re requesting a courtesy visit, make sure you qualify as immediate family (legal spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild, including step/foster relationships) and you’re 18+
- ✓ Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled visit to check in
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