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Visiting Information:
2023 Update:
RGCI Updated Visiting Memo-July, 2023.pdf
In addition to department-wide policies and procedures, adult facilities have site-specific visiting information available on their webpages, including visiting hours, the number of visits allowed per week, the number of visitors allowed per visit, and other rules and procedures. New visitors may also wish to contact the respective facility with questions prior to visitation.
Vehicles, Parking and Facility Grounds
All verbal and non-verbal communication with inmates from outside the approved visiting area is prohibited. This includes speaking, waving, and the sounding of horns or blinking of headlights.
Loitering in parking lots is prohibited. Any person accompanying a visitor who is not visiting an inmate must leave facility property while waiting for the visitor(s); waiting in the parking lot or a vehicle is prohibited. Animals may not be left unattended in vehicles.
Vehicles must be secured (windows rolled up, doors locked). If your vehicle is found unsecured, your visit may be terminated. Disabled or stalled vehicles must be immediately reported to the lobby sergeant. Any vehicle left on state property for more than 24 hours may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense.
Some facilities may require the use of street parking or a parking ramp. Visitors are encouraged to read signage on roadways, ramps, and meters to ensure parking restrictions are followed.
Handicap parking spaces are provided for visitors with handicapped license plates or displaying state-authorized handicap parking placards.
Arrival & Entrance
Visitors should arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of visiting hours. Upon arrival at the lobby, visitors may be required to complete a DOC-176 Request to Visit Offender. A visitor's hand may be stamped by security staff and checked when entering and leaving secure areas.
Visitors age 16 or older must provide photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification are:
Amish visitors who do not possess photo identification as a requirement of their religion must provide the facility with a signed and notarized affidavit from their bishop. The affidavit must include the physical description of each proposed visitor.
Only visitors on an inmate's approved visiting list will be permitted to visit. Anyone denied visitation must leave facility property immediately; waiting in vehicles or parking lots is not allowed.
Metal Detectors
Visitors will be denied entry to the visiting room if they are unable to successfully clear a metal detector within three attempts. In order to expedite the entrance process, visitors should avoid wearing metal jewelry or clothing with metal, such as buckles, snaps, bib overalls, wire undergarments, etc.
Special Accommodations
Accommodations for visitors who are unable to successfully walk through and clear the metal detector due to a medical appliance/assistive device should be requested using a DOC-2424 Visitor Requesting Accommodations form. This form is available for download in English and Spanish and can also be requested by checking a box on the DOC-21AA (visiting application). The visitor's physician must complete, sign, and return the form via fax or mail to the institution security director or center superintendent for approval prior to the visitor being allowed entrance.
Each institution has a designated visiting area. Some correctional facilities have both inside and outside visiting areas, which may be used during appropriate times of the year. Visiting area rules are specified in each facility's visiting information guide.
Inmates in restrictive housing or under no-contact visiting restrictions may have additional restrictions imposed, such as the required use of audio visual equipment or limits placed upon visiting hours, length of visits, or the number of visitors per visit. Visitors may call the facility to determine if an inmate has any visiting restrictions.
Visitors must conduct themselves in an appropriate and courteous manner and must follow all visiting rules at all times. It is the inmate's responsibility to ensure their visitors are aware of all visiting rules and regulations.
Visitors appearing to be under the influence of intoxicants will not be allowed entrance.
Parents are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children at all times. Any child leaving the visiting area must be accompanied by an adult.
Inmates may embrace and kiss visitors at the beginning and end of each visit. Excessive displays of affection are not permitted. Inmates may hold their own children who are age 5 or under. An inmate's hands must remain visible at all times.
Inappropriate conduct by visitors or inmates, including children, may result in termination of the visit and potential suspension of visiting privileges.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited at all DAI facilities. This is not a complete list of prohibited items; visitors should review site-specific visiting information available on the facility webpage or contact the facility directly for further information:
The following items may be brought into facilities, should they pass inspection. This is not a complete list of allowed items; visitors should review site-specific visiting information available on the facility webpage or contact the facility directly for further information:
Visiting areas are intended to be an atmosphere that is appropriate for families and friends of all ages. Visitors who are not dressed appropriately may be denied entrance. Footwear must be worn at all times. Restrictions apply equally to men, women, and children. The following items are prohibited:
WI DOC - Rules by Type
DOC 309.07 Conduct during visits. Visitors and inmates shall obey the administrative rules and institution policies and procedures regarding visitation.
History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.
DOC 309.08 Visiting list.
(1) Each inmate shall have an approved visitor's list.
(a) Except as otherwise provided under this section, the warden shall only permit visitors on the inmate's approved list to visit the inmate. Except as provided under par. (c), the warden shall only permit each inmate 12 adult visitors on the visiting list.
(b) Children of the inmate and children of approved visitors who have not attained their 18th birthday may visit and the warden shall not count them against the 12 visitors permitted. In order to be permitted to visit an inmate, children shall have written approval of a non-incarcerated custodial parent or legal guardian, or have a court order directing the visit, and their names must appear on the approved visitors list.
(c) The warden may approve more than 12 visitors on the visiting list if the first 12 visitors on the visiting list are close family members.
(d) The institution may require inmates to provide accurate and complete information regarding proposed visitors, including, but not limited to, the name and address of the proposed visitor, the inmate's relationship to the proposed visitor, and date of birth of the proposed visitor.
(e) The institution may require and utilize information from other sources in determining a proposed visitor's suitability for visitation.
(f) An inmate may not make any changes in an inmate's visiting list for a minimum of 6 months from the date of its original approval or for a minimum of 6 months after each subsequent approval or disapproval determination is made.
(2) The department shall establish procedures for the formulation and maintenance of visiting lists.
(3) The warden may place additional limitations or conditions on the visitation of inmates during periods of intensive programming or special placement for an individual inmate or a class of inmates. The additional limitations shall be related to the special programs or placements for security or program reasons. Limitations may include the number of visits or visitors and time or duration of visits. Conditions may include no contact visits or visitation provided by technological means not requiring direct personal contact, such as video connections.
(4) The warden shall determine whether a person may be approved for visiting, including no-contact visiting, or removed from a visiting list based on the following:
(a) The requesting inmate has provided falsified, incorrect, or incomplete information.
(c) There is no signed and dated approval of a non-incarcerated custodial parent or legal guardian for a proposed visitor less than 18 years of age or there is no court order directing the visit.
(d) The warden has reasonable grounds to believe the visitor has attempted to bring contraband into any penal facility, as defined in s. 19.32 (1e), Stats., or that the visitor otherwise poses a threat to the safety and security of visitors, staff, inmates or the institution.
(e) The warden has reasonable grounds to believe that the inmate's reintegration into the community or rehabilitation would be hindered.
(f) The warden has reasonable grounds to believe that the inmate's offense history indicates there may be a problem with the proposed visitation.
(g) The warden has reasonable grounds to believe that the proposed visitor may be subjected to victimization.
(h) The proposed visitor has been incarcerated within the last twelve months.
(i) A visitor was approved for visiting by mistake or based on inadequate information.
(j) The proposed visitor is a current or former employee, volunteer, contract agent or similarly situated individual within the past 12 months.
(5) A custodial parent, or authorized adult who is on the approved list, shall accompany visitors who have not attained their 18th birthday, unless the visitor is the spouse of the inmate.
(6) If the warden disapproves a proposed visitor or approves a proposed visitor for no-contact visiting only, the warden shall inform the visitor of the reasons for the action in writing. The proposed visitor may appeal this decision in writing to the warden. An inmate may appeal this decision through the inmate complaint review system.
(7) The warden may permit occasional visits by people not on an inmate's visiting list. The warden may require notification in advance of such a visit.
History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.
DOC 309.09 Regulation of visits for inmates.
(1) The department shall establish policies and procedures governing visitation in prisons. Each institution shall establish written policies and procedures regarding visitation and shall make them available to inmates and visitors at each institution.
(2) Each institution shall establish a visitation schedule consistent with other institution activities and available resources.
(3) Each institution shall permit each inmate in the general population the opportunity for visitation at least 9 hours per week according to the visitation schedule established under sub. (2).
(4) Each institution shall permit each inmate in a segregated status the opportunity for visitation at least 1 hour per week with the exception of controlled segregation and observation, which require the approval of the warden.
(5) Institutions shall require visitors to provide identification before permitting the visit.
(6) Institutions may limit visitation for inmates in segregation by issuing restrictions concerning minor visitors, number of visitors, hours and location of visits, or if the warden determines that the visit poses a threat to the proposed visitor, staff or inmates.
History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.
DOC 309.10 Special visits.
(1) Public officials and members of private and public organizations who provide services to inmates may visit institutions with the approval of the warden. These visitors shall make arrangements for all such visits in advance with the warden to minimize interference with normal operations and activities. The warden may limit the duration of such visits for security reasons. A person who has not attained the age of 18 may not participate in any group visit except with the approval of the warden, unless the person is a family member on the inmate's approved visitor list.
(2) The warden shall permit attorneys, attorney aides, and law students to visit their inmate clients to provide professional services during institution business hours on weekdays. The warden shall permit pastoral visits during institution business hours on weekdays. The warden shall not count these persons against the allowable number of visitors or hours of visits of the inmate. The warden may require advance notice of these visits. The warden may approve visits of this type outside institution business hours in emergencies.
History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.
DOC 309.11 No-contact visiting.
(1)
(a) The warden may impose no-contact visiting in response to an initial application to visit or upon subsequent review of the visiting status of an inmate or visitor. In making such determination, the warden shall consider the criteria in s. DOC 309.08 (4). After a period of one year the inmate or visitor may request review of the conditions of visiting.
(b) If the warden imposes no-contact visiting on an inmate, the warden may apply no-contact visiting to all visitors of the inmate.
(c) If the warden imposes no-contact visiting on a visitor, the warden may apply no contact visiting to all visits of the visitor, and may recommend to the administrator the no-contact visits be imposed at all other institutions. The administrator may approve the recommendation.
(2) The security director may impose no contact visiting if:
(a) The security director finds that an inmate or visitor has introduced contraband into any institution or engaged in other behavior that threatens security or interferes with the rights of others.
(b) An inmate is in temporary lockup, observation, voluntary confinement, adjustment segregation, program segregation, controlled segregation, disciplinary separation, or administrative confinement.
(3)
(a) If staff allege an inmate has violated visitation rules or institution policies or procedures relating to visitation, staff shall write and dispose of a conduct report in accordance with the rules providing for disciplinary procedures. For a visiting violation, staff may impose any penalty provided in the disciplinary rules.
(b) In addition to any penalty imposed in par. (a), for a visiting violation the security director may impose no-contact visiting for up to one year, and the inmate may appeal this to the warden.
(c) In addition to any penalty imposed in par. (a), for a visiting violation, the warden may impose no-contact visiting for more than one year, and the inmate may appeal this to the administrator.
(4) If staff allege a visitor has violated visitation rules or institution policies and procedures relating to visitation, the security director shall investigate and decide if a violation occurred. If the security director determines a violation occurred, the security director may impose no-contact visiting restrictions on that visitor. The visitor may appeal the no-contact visiting restrictions in accordance with sub. (3). The warden shall inform the visitor and inmate of the restriction promptly in writing and the reasons for it.
History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.
DOC 309.12 Revocation, suspension, and termination of visiting privileges.
(1) In this section:
(a) “Revoke" means to remove visiting privileges based upon new information or changed circumstances that affects visiting approval.
(b) “Suspend" means to restrict the visits of an inmate by a specific visitor for a specific period of time due to an investigation or review process because of an alleged violation of visitation rules, policies and regulations.
(c) “Terminate" means the stopping of a visit in progress, usually based on an alleged violation of visitation rules, policies and regulations during the visit.
(2) A supervisor may terminate a visit, and the warden or security director may suspend or revoke visiting privileges.
(3) If staff allege an inmate has violated visitation rules, policies or procedures during a visit, staff shall write and dispose of a conduct report in accordance with the rules provided for in disciplinary procedures. In addition to any disciplinary penalty, the warden or security director may suspend or revoke visiting privileges, and a supervisor may terminate a visit.
(4) If staff allege a visitor has violated these sections or institution policies and procedures relating to visits, the security director shall investigate and decide if such a violation occurred. If the security director determines that such a violation occurred, the security director may suspend visiting privileges with that visitor. The visitor may appeal the suspension of visiting privileges in accordance with sub. (2). The security director shall inform the visitor and inmate of the suspension promptly in writing and the reasons for it.
History: Cr. Register, June, 2000, No. 534, eff. 7-1-00.
WI DOC - Rules by Security
Philosophy
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) understands the importance for inmates to maintain contact with family and friends. Research shows maintaining strong family ties can have a positive impact on an offender's success in completing treatment and other programs during incarceration, as well as their chances for success after they are released.
The Division of Adult Institutions (DAI) encourages visiting opportunities between inmates and approved visitors. In order to best support their loved one, inmate friends and family should familiarize themselves with DAI visitation rules and procedures. The following guidelines help to ensure a safe and secure visiting environment while promoting a family atmosphere.
Wisconsin Statutes s. 302.095(2) - Delivering Articles to Inmate prohibits delivery of any article to an inmate of a state correctional facility, depositing or concealing an article within the facility or within its boundaries, or receiving an article to convey out of the institution that is contrary to the rules and regulations and without the knowledge or permission of the warden or superintendent. Violation of this law is a Class I felony, the punishment for which is imprisonment up to 3.5 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
The DOC is committed to maintaining drug-free facilities and will investigate and assist in the prosecution of any individual attempting to introduce drugs or other prohibited items into a correctional facility.
Obtaining Permission to Visit an Inmate
All persons who wish to visit an inmate must be listed on the inmate's approved visitors list, per Administrative Code Ch. 309.08. A completed DOC-21AA Visitor Questionnaire must be submitted for all prospective visitors, including minor children. It is the inmate's responsibility to obtain and mail the DOC-21AA to a prospective visitor. Proposed visitors must return the completed form to the institution for processing. If approved, inmates will be notified that a visitor has been added to their visiting list. Applicants may be denied approval for visitation on a number of grounds, which are specified in state administrative code. Applicants who are denied approval will receive a written notice.
Persons under the age of 18 must obtain the consent of a non-incarcerated parent or legal guardian prior to visiting, which must be documented on the DOC-21AA. All visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied during visitation by an adult that is on the inmate's approved visitors list unless the minor visitor is the legal spouse of the inmate.
A close family member, for visiting purposes, is defined as an inmate’s natural, adoptive, step, or foster parent; spouse; child; grandparent; grandchild; or sibling.
Visitation During Intake/Assessment and Evaluation (A&E)
Inmates entering DOC custody are held for a period of time in Intake/A&E units at Dodge Correctional Institution (DCI), Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF), or Taycheedah Correctional Institution (TCI).
Inmates in A&E status are permitted up to four adult visitors who are close family members. An inmate’s minor children do not count against the four visitor limit. Inmates in A&E status who have sexually-related offenses may be restricted from having visitors who are under the age of 18.
Non-A&E Inmates
Inmates who have transferred out of A&E status at DCI, MSDF or TCI, or who have been moved to another facility, are allowed up to 12 adults on their visitors list. Minor children who have been approved for visitation shall not be counted against the 12 visitor limit until their 18th birthday. Changes to an inmate's visiting list must be initiated by the inmate.
An inmate may have more than 12 visitors on their visiting list with the approval of the institution superintendent or warden if all visitors on the list are close family members.