What to bring and what not to bring to a visit
- ✓ Make sure you are approved to visit (some facilities allow only pre-certified visitors and require the inmate to register visitors)
- ✓ Dress conservatively and follow facility-specific clothing rules (some locations ban items like draw strings, buttons, and zippers, and may restrict colors and graphics)
- ✓ Leave your phone, recording devices, and photo-taking devices in your car or at home
Warning: Some facilities treat phone or recording-device possession during a visit as a serious violation. You can be told to leave immediately, and your visiting privileges may be suspended.
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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