Ask any inmate what the best part of their week is, and they’ll probably say it’s when they have visitors. When you visit a loved one in jail, you can help to boost their morale and keep their spirits up during a difficult time.

If you’re trying to visit a loved one in jail, then there is a process you have to go through to make everything as smooth as possible. Here’s how.

Find the Inmate

The first thing you need to do is find the inmate. Sometimes inmates are moved at short notice, and it can be challenging to keep track of where exactly they are.

You can locate an inmate in several ways. If you have enough background information on the person (full name, DOB, sex, etc.), you should find their prisoner number reasonably easy.

Get Approved

Jail visiting law prohibits you from just showing up at the jail and talking to an inmate. You need to get approved first.

This can happen in different ways. Some jails require you to fill out an application form to give your name, date of birth, relation to the inmate, and any other relevant material. The prison will then assess your application and tell you if you meet the criteria to be eligible for visits.

Inmate rights dictate that they can’t be denied visitation as long as they show good behavior, so if you’re a close family relative, your application would rarely be denied.

The inmate themselves can streamline the process by adding you to their visitor list. The people permitted on an inmate’s visitation list can include:

  • Immediate family, e.g., mother, father, sibling
  • Extended family, e.g., cousins, grandparents, in-laws
  • Spouses
  • Friends
  • Priests/Imams/Rabbi’s/any other clergies
  • Attorneys
  • Employers

Once you’re on an inmate’s visitor list, the whole process of visiting becomes a lot quicker and easier. Of course, the jail still has to approve your visit, so wait for official confirmation before assuming you can turn up.

Prepare for Your Visit

Jail visits come with many rules and regulations, and it’s best to prepare for them. Let’s look at a few things to keep in mind.

Dress Code

There are rules on what you can and can’t wear during jail visits. Dress moderately and don’t wear anything too provocative. This could result in your visit being denied.

Don’t wear anything that could be confused with the inmate’s prison attire. You also shouldn’t wear anything you can’t take off or anything that will not go through a metal detector.

This dress code can change depending on the jail service.

Behavior

You’re expected to behave in a calm, quiet, and dignified manner when visiting an inmate. If guards at the prison think that you or the inmate are acting out of line, they can terminate the visit.

Handshakes, hugs, and kisses are allowed at the beginning and end of the visit. Any other contact is at the discretion of the guard.

Jail Information

Obviously, you need to know where the jail is. It also helps to know some general details about the jail and some contact numbers should you need them.

Things like this page can be really helpful in getting the info you need.

Visit a Loved One in Jail to Keep Their Spirits Up 

Jail is harsh, so if you’re not sure whether to visit a loved one in jail you should consider the effect it can have on their morale. Those few hours of visitation are the only tangible connection they gave to life outside the jail.

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