How to Visit Someone in Prison

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: February 8, 2021 References Approved

Visiting someone in prison requires some planning on your part. Once you know which prison the inmate is staying at, you need to make sure that you have been put on the inmate’s visiting list. This may require a letter to the inmate. On the day that you are scheduled to visit, you must be sure to dress appropriately and avoid bringing in any prohibited items. Prisons encourage visitation, and once you understand the ground rules then visitation should go smoothly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing to Visit

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Locate the inmate. You need to confirm which prison the inmate is housed at. Most states have “inmate lookup” services that you can use online. For example, you can find an inmate in Illinois prisons by visiting the Illinois Department of Corrections website. You can search by last name, date of birth, or prisoner identification number.^{[1]
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- In the United States, you can find a prisoner in the federal system by visiting the Federal Bureau of Prisons and entering the prisoner’s Inmate Register Number.^{[2]
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- In England and Wales, you can find a prisoner by visiting https://www.gov.uk/find-prisoner. There is an email and fax number provided for you to contact.
2
Find the prison’s website. Many prisons now have websites. On the website, you can find important information for planning your trip. Look for the website so that you can find out how to schedule a visit. You will also want information about what you can bring.

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Call to ask about restrictions. If the prison does not have a website, then you need to call and ask about restrictions. To find the prison’s phone number, do an Internet search. Prisons set their own rules for visitation, so you need to speak to someone at the prison directly. Find out the following:
- how to get put on the prisoner’s visitation list
- what identification you need
- what items are prohibited from being brought into the prison
- any dress code
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Have the prisoner put you on the visiting list. You probably need the inmate to put you on his or her visiting list in order to visit. Once you are put on the list, prison officials will have to clear you to visit.
- Most prisons ask prisoners to create a visiting list. The inmate then lists family members, friends, and professionals (like attorneys or parole advisors) on the list.^{[3]
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- You need to be added to the list before you can visit. In order to ask the inmate to put you on, you will probably need to write a letter and ask to be put on. You should also include relevant information that the inmate might need, such as your full name, address, and phone number.^{[4]
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Complete a visitor application. Some (but not all) prisons will require you to complete a visitor application. You should complete all information accurately and completely. You may be denied entrance if you do not.^{[5]
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- Sometimes these applications will be sent to you before you arrive at the prison, and in some prisons you will fill them out as you wait to be admitted.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Visiting the Prison

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Call before leaving. Sometimes prisons go into “lockdown.” In these situations, no one can enter. Similarly, inmates can lose visitation privileges if they are put in solitary confinement. So that you don’t waste a trip to the prison, you should call and ask if visitation hours are being kept as usual.^{[6]
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Dress appropriately. Prison authorities might deny you entrance if you are dressed too provocatively. You should aim for a conservative style of dress, although you do not need to “dress up.” Be sure to avoid wearing the following:^{[7]
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- revealing shorts or miniskirts
- halter tops, see-through garments, and belly shirts
- low cut blouses, sleeveless shirts, or dresses with slits up the side, front, or back
- baseball hats
- military fatigues or other clothing that looks like inmate clothing
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Find parking. You should give yourself plenty of time to find the prison and locate parking. Plan on arriving 15-20 minutes early so that you can fill out any necessary paperwork.^{[8]
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Leave prohibited items in the car. Prisons strictly limit what you can bring into the prison. Many prisons will have lockers that you can rent for a quarter. You may store items in the lockers that you do not want to leave in your car. Generally, visitors may only bring in the following:^{[9]
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- your identification
- single car key
- eyeglasses
- bills or change to use with the vending machine
- a bottle and diaper for a baby
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Bring sufficient identification. You will need valid identification that proves who you are. Generally, a valid driver’s license or passport should be sufficient. If you don’t have either, then a valid government-issued identification card should also work.
- Check with the prison before showing up for visitation. You want to make sure that you have an acceptable form of identification.
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Go through security. You will have to go through a metal detector. Also, drug-sniffing dogs may be present, to try and find people who are transporting drugs.^{[10]
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Talk in a quiet manner. During the visit itself, you should behave in a respectable manner: no shouting or inappropriate gestures. Security is watching to make sure that the visitation area remains orderly.^{[11]
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- You may be limited in the amount of touching allowed. Prisons may allow hugs, handshakes, and kisses at the beginning and end of the visit. Otherwise, the guards stationed during visitation may limit touching so that visitors aren’t smuggling contraband to prisoners.
- If a guard tells you to stop touching, then you should comply with the order. You may be removed from the visitation if you fail to comply.