Visiting Application and FAQ for Visiting a Montana DOC Inmate

One of the most important aspects to an inmate's rehabilitation is visitation.  The preservation of positive and healthy relationships can help inmates both while incarcerated and when re-entering society.  For the department of correction, convincing friends and family members to visit an inmate while incarcerated can be a challenge.  Many individuals often feel discouraged and overwhelmed at how to go about visiting a correctional institution.  To make visitation more accessible to everyone, we have compiled the information you need to know before you visit an inmate in Montana.

• Before you can attend a visiting session you must complete a Montana inmate visitors application.  The Department of Correction will do a criminal history check and either approve or deny your application.
• Send your completed visiting application to:
  • Mail Technicians
    400 Conley Lake Road
    Deer Lodge, Montana 59722
• Applications can take up to 45 days to be processed and approved or denied.
• It will be the responsibility of the inmate to inform you of the status of the application.  You will not be notified if your application is approved and must stay in constant contact with your inmate about it.  Do not call the facility requesting the status as they will not give you this information over the phone.
• If you will be visiting the inmate with your child you will need to include the minors name on your visiting application.  No minor can visit an inmate without being accompanied by a parent or guardian who is on the inmate's approved visitation list.
• All visitors must have a valid state or federal ID.  Acceptable forms of identification include a valid driver's license, a state ID, military ID or passport.
• If you are bringing a child with you to visitation you should bring the minor's birth certificate, as the facility sometimes requests to see this during visiting registration.
• All visitors are subject to search and are required to pass through a metal detector.  Once your vehicle is on institutional grounds it is subject to search as well.  The facility may utilize canine units to aid in the search of visitors.
• Cell phones, pagers, cameras, recording devices, music devices, and other electronics are prohibited from entering into the facility, leave these items in your car.
• You should only bring your ID and a single car key with you into the facility.

Some additional information you may want to know when visiting an inmate in Montana:

• Any article of clothing you enter into visitation with may not be removed during the visit.
• Tobacco and related products including matches and lighters are forbidden from entering into the correctional facility, leave these items in your car.
• Inmates are limited to 25 individuals on their approved visitation list.
• If you are traveling an extremely long distance/out of state to visit your inmate you may be approved for a special one time extended visit (contact the facility for more details, not everyone is approved for special visits there must be an extenuating circumstance).
• Refrain from wearing jewelry when visiting, most facilities allow only a single wedding ring to be worn.
• If you are visiting with an infant you are usually allowed to bring a single clear plastic bottle, a single diaper, and a one ply blanket no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet.
• Some facilities have vending machines available in the visiting area and allow you to bring coins to purchase items to snack on during the visit.  You should ask the inmate or contact the institution prior to your visit to see if vending machines are available at your inmate's facility.

Dress Code/Contact Rules for Visitors of Montana Inmates

All correctional facilities have a dress code that must be followed by all visitors to ensure the safety and security of the institution.  Visitors who fail to comply with the dress code must leave the facility, and cannot attend the visiting session.  It is up to the staff/guards on duty to interpret and enforce the dress code, because of this we suggest you always travel to the facility with a change of clothes in your car.  Having a change of clothing in your car ensures if something you are wearing is deemed inappropriate you can quickly change and not miss out on visitation.

• You are allowed a brief hug (under 5 seconds) and closed mouth kiss with your inmate at the start and end of the visiting period.
• Hand holding is allowed as long as it is above the table in full view of the guards.  Caressing, massaging and rubbing of hands and other body parts is not allowed.
• You may not re-arrange the chairs/tables of the visiting room.
• You may not interact with other visitors or inmates other than the one you are there to visit.
• Toys may not be removed from the designated toy area.
• Shaking, moving, and hitting the vending machines are not allowed.
• All vending machine items purchased must stay within the visiting area when visiting is over the items must be discarded.
• Children must be supervised at all times.  The parent/guardian of the child must control their child at all times, failure to do so will result in the visit terminating.
• If you leave the visiting room the visit will terminate, be sure to use the restroom prior to entering into visitation.
• Baggy shirts and pants are not allowed.
• Shorts may not be worn.
• Undergarments must be worn and not visible.  Women must wear a bra.  Wire bras will set off the metal detector and result in an intrusive body search, refrain from wearing this type of support.
• Any clothing that closely resembles the inmate's clothes or the staff's clothes is prohibited.
• Uniforms such as military or doctors/nurse scrubs are restricted from being worn.  Camouflage clothing is also prohibited from being worn.
• Flip Flops, slippers, sandals, steel-toed boots/shoes are not allowed.
• Shoes and socks must be worn at all times.
• Clothing that is soiled or has holes/tears are not allowed.
• Any items that cover the face including hats and sunglasses are not allowed to be worn.
• Any clothing that exposes the midriff, back, shoulders, cleavage, thighs or other excessive skin is not allowed.  No shirts may expose more than two inches below the notch of the neck.
• All tops must have sleeves.
• Tight clothing, such as spandex, leggings, tube tops, tank tops, or is sheer or see-through clothing may not be worn.
• Skirts and dresses must be worn with a slip and come at least six inches below the knee when standing.
• If your clothing contains offensive language or images you will not be allowed to visit.  Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol or sex is deemed inappropriate.