Visiting in person or virtually: approval, scheduling, ID, and onsite rules
- Get on the approved visiting list. NDCS says all visitors (adults and minors) must be approved on the incarcerated person’s visiting list before scheduling a visit.
- Submit your request early enough. NDCS says visitation requests must be submitted at least seven days before the selected date.
- Know the scheduling window. NDCS says visits may be scheduled up to four weeks from the date of request and are assigned first-come, first-served.
- Watch for the confirmation email. NDCS says you will receive email confirmation at least three days prior to your visit.
- ✓ Confirm everyone attending is approved (adults and minors) before you schedule
- ✓ Keep your group size within the limit: NDCS allows up to four adult visitors, plus a reasonable number of children
- ✓ If multiple people are attending the same session, complete one registration form for the group
- ✓ Bring proper identification
- ✓ Bring only permissible personal items
- ✓ Expect searches: NDCS says all visitors are subject to search at any time
Heads up: Hall County says no property will be accepted from visitors after an inmate is booked (with a narrow exception for attorney-delivered, requested street clothing for jury trials). Hall County also says inmate workers will not receive visitors while working outside and will have no contact from family or friends while outside working.
Common Questions
Q
How many people can visit at once and how far ahead can I schedule a visit?
NDCS allows up to four adult visitors and a reasonable number of children at each in-person or virtual visit, and one registration form can cover multiple people attending the same session. NDCS also says you must submit the request at least seven days before the visit date, and you may schedule up to four weeks in advance. NDCS assigns visits first-come, first-served and says you will receive email confirmation at least three days prior.
Q
What identification do I need to bring to a visit?
NDCS says to bring proper identification and refers visitors to the specific facility’s visiting policy for the acceptable forms of ID. Since county jails can set their own requirements, I recommend calling the facility’s main line to confirm what they accept before you drive over, Hall County, for example, lists its main number as (308) 385-5206.
Q
Can I send money to an inmate who is working outside or on work release?
You can usually still add funds, but it must go to the inmate’s account, not handed to a worker or staff member. Hall County says all money must be placed on the inmate worker’s account and no money may be left with any employee or inmate workers. Hall County also says inmate workers will not receive visitors while working outside and will have no contact from family or friends while outside working.
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