Visitation rules, schedules, and variation by facility
Visitation rules vary widely across Kentucky facilities. Some locations publish set days and hours. Others require you to be on an approved list or schedule visits in advance. Before you drive, confirm the schedule and sign-in procedure on the specific facility's visiting information page.
Bell County Camp (a Kentucky DOC facility) publishes weekend visitation hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visits must be scheduled by email at least seven days in advance. They are scheduled in two-hour blocks with specific arrival times for processing and screening.
Visit length varies too. Some facilities cap in-person visits at 20 minutes; others allow one 20-minute visit per week. Sign-in procedures can be just as specific. One Kentucky detention center requires visitors to sign the lobby log and use an intercom to the control room to be considered signed in.
Common Questions
Q
How do I schedule or request a visit at a state facility?
Some Kentucky DOC facilities require you to request a visit in advance by email and wait for confirmation. Bell County Camp, for example, instructs visitors to email a visitation address and submit requests seven days ahead of time, then arrive at the posted time for processing and screening.
Q
What are the typical visiting times and lengths I should expect?
It depends on the facility. One Kentucky DOC example publishes weekend hours from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., while some detention centers limit visits to 20 minutes, and another publishes one 20-minute visit per week.
Q
Are there fees for medical visits or prescriptions for inmates?
Some facilities charge medical co-pays that are billed to the inmate’s account, for example one published schedule lists a $10 fee for a medical, dental, or mental health visit and a $2 fee per prescription. For Kentucky probation-related costs (like supervision fees, restitution, fines, court costs, or drug testing fees), payment methods can include app or kiosk payments for drug testing fees and other payment locations for the rest.
Q
Can I bring my children to a Probation and Parole office or to a visit?
Kentucky Probation and Parole materials state that children are not allowed in their offices due to security concerns. For facility visitation, rules can differ by location, so check the specific facility’s visiting information and sign-in rules before bringing children.
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