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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Visiting FAQ

Will I be searched?

Please be prepared to be searched. All visitors and their belongings, including vehicles and any container and/or bag brought onto institution grounds are subject to be searched per DOC 420.340 Searching & Detaining Facility VisitorsAdobe PDF File. Refusal to allow a search will result in a 90-day suspension of visit privileges for the first refusal and the termination of all visit privileges if a second refusal occurs.

Can minors visit incarcerated individuals?

Yes, visitors under the age of 18 years old may visit incarcerated individuals. See the Prison & Video FAQ and Reentry Center FAQ for more detailed information regarding your specific circumstance.

Who should I contact if I have questions about visiting?

You should contact the facility where you plan to visit and ask to speak to visit staff. Please be aware that visit staff often work a non-traditional work schedule so they are available at the facility during visit hours. A voice message may be left for visit staff. Please be sure to include the incarcerated individual's six-digit DOC number and a brief summary of your concern, and visit staff will return your call as soon as they are able.

If your question or concern cannot be resolved by the facility, you may contact the Statewide Visit Unit. Please be sure to include the incarcerated individual's name and six-digit DOC number in the subject line.

What do I do if my name needs updating?

Please contact the Statewide Visit Unit by email or leave a voicemail on the general visit phone line. In your message, include the incarcerated individual’s name and DOC number along with your current name, previous name, and the state or country where your identification was issued. We may reach out to verify your identity and additional information may be requested. Visitor names must match the name on their current identification.

What do I do if my address, email address, phone, etc. needs updating?

Please email the requested change to the Statewide Visit Unit or leave a voicemail on the general visit phone line. Please include the incarcerated individual’s name and DOC number along with the information you want updated. We may reach out to verify your identity and additional information may be requested.

What do I do to update my relationship to the incarcerated individual?

If you are changing your relationship to one that is not defined as immediate family, you may contact the Statewide Visit Unit or leave a voicemail on the general visit phone line. Please include the incarcerated individual’s name and DOC number as well as your name and contact information.

If you are changing your relationship to one that is identified as an immediate family member, copies of official documents (e.g. marriage and/or birth certificates) will be necessary. Copies may be sent via USPS to:

Department of Corrections
Attn: Statewide Visit Unit
Post Office Box 41118
Olympia, WA 98504-1118

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Prison & Video Visits FAQ

How do I set up a video visit in Securus?

Follow the instructions on the Securus website or app to set up an account. When creating your Securus account ensure your first name, last name and date of birth match your legal identification. Do not include your middle name or middle initial. If you have entered the wrong name or date of birth, you will need to contact Securus customer assistance for help updating your profile.

What do I have to do to visit an incarcerated individual who is in prison?

Every individual intending to visit an incarcerated individuals in prison must complete the visitor application process. The Department only accepts Electronic Visit Applications for prison visits. Go to the Prison Visits webpage for information about the forms that must be completed to visit prison incarcerated individuals.

How long does it take to process a visiting application?

We are currently processing a high volume of applications, processing is taking approximately 50 business days (business days do not include weekends or holidays) from the date of submission. Additionally, some cases require additional time. In order to prioritize application processing, please refrain from submitting status inquiries. Submitting multiple applications for an individual visitor will cause a delay in processing. Please do not submit multiple applications unless specifically directed, in writing, by the Statewide Visit Unit.

Can minors visit an incarcerated individual at a prison facility?

Yes. Individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied during the entire visit by their non-incarcerated parent/legal guardian or a designated escort who is an approved visitor for the individual being visited. See the Prison Visits webpage and DOC 450.300 Visits for Incarcerated IndividualsAdobe PDF File for more information.

Is a birth certificate required for every minor visitor?

Generally no, however when the incarcerated individual is incarcerated on a charge with a minor victim, birth certificates and releases may be requested.

What are the visiting hours?

Visiting schedules vary among the prison facilities. See the Prison Visits page for prison-specific visiting guidelines, schedules, and event calendars.

What items can I bring to a regular visit?

Refer to the visitor guidelines for the rules for the prison facility you will be visiting.

If I am escorting an infant or toddler on a visit, what supplies can I bring?

Items authorized for infants and toddlers are included in the visitor guidelines for the facility where the incarcerated individual is housed.

I am a DCYF caseworker requesting visits for the child of an incarcerated parent, what do I need to do?

The following needs to be completed for every incarcerated individual:

  • Complete the 20-441 Parent/Legal Consent for Minor Visit And/Or Escort (pdf). Scan the document or take a photo so it can be uploaded when you submit the visit application. List all authorized escorts for the child(ren). The identified escorts must be approved visitors.
  • Submit an application by completing a visit application for the child using DOC 20-181. The first question is asking for the date of birth of the adult submitting the form for the child. Once that is completed by an individual over the age of 13, the rest of the application will pop up and should be completed with the child’s information.
    • Attach official documentation that contains the visitation plan for the child.
  • Form 20-182 Government Designated Escort Application needs to be completed by each individual authorized to escort a child to visits (regular OR video visits). These individuals should be individuals who are not known to the incarcerated individual outside of the work they are doing. The authorization to escort a minor on behalf of the State will be confirmed prior to visits being authorized.
  • Relatives authorized to escort the child to visit should fill out the DOC 20-060 Visitor Application.
  • The Statewide Visit Unit my request additional documentation as needed.
  • While DCYF may request visits for a minor child, the child and escorts must meet DOC 450.300 Visits for Incarcerated IndividualsAdobe PDF File requirements. If they do not meet policy requirements, a letter of denial that includes the appeal process will be sent to the email used to submit the application.

Is there a dress code for visitors?

Only clothing that is conservative, modest, and meets the requirements identified in Visitor Guidelines is acceptable.

What is the Approved Visitor List?

A prison incarcerated individual's Approved Visitor List contains those individuals whom have successfully completed the application process and have been approved to visit with the incarcerated individual. Go to the Prison Visits webpage for more information about the Approved Visitor List.

How can I be removed from an individual's visit list?

A visitor who wishes to be removed from a visitor list must send a written request to the Headquarters Visit Unit at PO Box 41118, Olympia, WA 9804-1118 or by emailing Statewide Visit Unit.

An individual removed from an Approved Visitor List must wait 90 calendar days before applying to visit the same or another incarcerated individual. The waiting period may be waived if the visitor never visited with the individual whose list they were removed from or has not visited in the last 90 days.

How many people can be on an incarcerated individual's Approved Visitor List?

There is no limit to the number of visitors an individual may have on his/her approved visitor list.

Can a visitor be on the Approved Visitor List of more than one prison incarcerated individual?

Visitors may only be on one visit list unless they are immediate family members of all of the incarcerated they wish to visit. The visitor must submit an online visit application and attach official documentation showing proof of the relationship (i.e birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).

Who are considered immediate family?

An Incarcerated individual's children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, great grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and a person legally married to or in a state registered domestic partnership with an incarcerated individual. "Immediate family" includes the immediate family of an incarcerated individual who was adopted as a child or an adult, but does not include an incarcerated individual adopted by another incarcerated individual (or the immediate family of the adopted or adopting individual).

Where do Extended Family Visit (EFV) applications get sent?

Visitors will submit applicable paperwork and documents by sending them to the address below:

Department of Corrections
Attn: EFV Application
Post Office Box 41118
Olympia, WA 98504-1118

What are the requirements for an incarcerated individual to be eligible for an Extended Family Visit (EFV)?

A few of the criteria that must be met for a prison incarcerated individual to be eligible for an EFV include:

  • Incarcerated individuals must have served 6 consecutive months in prison.
  • Incarcerated individuals assigned to maximum/close custody level or in Restrictive Housing are excluded from participating.

What are the requirements for family to be eligible for an Extended Family Visit (EFV)?

A few of the criteria that must be met for family to be eligible for an EFV include:

  • Each applicant will be subject to legal verification of relationship to the incarcerated individual and must provide positive picture identification.
  • The applicant cannot have any active "no contact" or "protective" order judgment from any court involving the incarcerated individual.
  • Visitors must have an established visit history (a minimum of six visits within the year, including at least one in-person visit).
  • Neither the incarcerated individual or the family member may have domestic violence history as identified in the Extended Family Visit Resource Guide for Families

What are the requirements for spouses/domestic partners to be eligible for an Extended Family Visit (EFV)?

In addition to meeting the criteria for all family, spouses/state registered domestic partners must be legally married to or joined in a state registered domestic partnership with the incarcerated individual, and must provide an original copy of the marriage license/state registered domestic partnership certificate issued by the appropriate jurisdiction (e.g. Department of Health or issuing county).

Marriages/state registered domestic partnerships entered into after the judgment and sentence must comply with DOC 590.200 Marriages and State Registered Domestic PartnershipsAdobe PDF File.

What are the requirements for minors to be eligible for an Extended Family Visit (EFV)?

There are additional criteria that must be met for minors to participate in the EFV program, a few of which are:

  • If the minor has applied for visits as the incarcerated individual's child or stepchild, the minor must be the birth child or adopted child of either the incarcerated individual or his/her spouse/state registered domestic partner with legal custody. A certified copy of the minor's birth certificate and/or adoption papers must be provided with the application.
  • The minor must be accompanied and supervised by an approved EFV participant and have written notarized consent of the custodial parent/legal guardian.
  • Both parents listed on the birth certificate must authorize participation in the EFV program.
  • A minor who is a victim of the incarcerated individual's sexual offense, physical abuse, or other mistreatment will not be eligible to visit.

What is a special visit and how do I request one?

Special visits are authorized at the discretion of the facility Superintendent.

Special visits are permitted for:

  • Visitors who travel a long distance
  • Visitors who travel from out of country (i.e., international visitors)
  • Appointed members of local and/or statewide family councils who have missed visits due to participation in council meetings
  • Incarcerated individuals who are in disciplinary status or are hospitalized, and
  • Other extraordinary situations as approved by the Superintendent

Special visits will only be approved for individuals who are on the incarcerated individual's Approved Visitor List unless approved by the Superintendent/designee for extraordinary circumstances.

A request for a special visit may be submitted utilizing DOC 21-787 through visit staff as soon as possible, but no less than five business days prior to the visit and must list all visitors who will be visiting.

Facilities may choose to limit the number of special visits an incarcerated individual can have within a specific period of time.

I am a member of the media and would like to interview an incarcerated individual, what do I need to do?

Members of the media must be approved for visit privileges through the regular application process.

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Reentry Center Visits FAQ

What do I have to do to visit an incarcerated individual at a reentry center?

Complete and submit DOC 20-169 Reentry Center Sponsor ApplicationAdobe PDF Document. This form is also available in Spanish, DOC 20-169 Reclusorio Nocturno Solicitud para Visitantes y PatrocinadoresAdobe PDF Document.

The DOC 05-370 Request for Criminal History Record Information (word) form must also be completed and submitted.

If you are approved, you will be added to the incarcerated individual's reentry center visiting list and the incarcerated individual will be notified.

I was on the incarcerated individual's Approved Visitor List when they were in prison. What do I have to do when the incarcerated individual transfers to a reentry center?

A separate application must be submitted when an incarcerated individual transfers to a reentry center.

Can minors visit an incarcerated individual at a reentry center?

Yes. Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by their parent or legal guardian during the entire visit. See DOC 450.310 Visits & Social Outings for Reentry CentersAdobe PDF File for more information.

What is a social outing?

Per DOC 450.310 Visits & Social Outings for Reentry Centers Adobe PDF File, social outings must meet several guidelines, a few of which are:

  • incarcerated individuals must be free of disciplinary restrictions.
  • Incarcerated individuals must be accompanied at all times by the approved sponsor who is signed out with the incarcerated individual on the social outing.
  • A social outing cannot exceed 10 hours and may occur only between the hours of 8:00AM and 12:00AM midnight. The Community Corrections Supervisor (CCS) may restrict available hours based on facility security and operations.
  • Social outings cannot exceed 30 hours per week per incarcerated individual.
  • Incarcerated individuals cannot leave the county in which their reentry center is located without prior written approval.
  • Incarcerated individuals are not allowed to travel out of state.

What do I have to do to arrange a social outing?

Eligible incarcerated individuals must complete the DOC 20-084 Social Outing Request & Responsibilities form, and have it approved before the planned outing.

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Phone Call FAQ

Can I call an incarcerated individual at a prison facility?

No. Incarcerated individuals may call you. You may create a prepaid AdvancePay account on ConnectNetwork to enable an incarcerated individual to call you.

What if I need to make an emergency phone call to an incarcerated individual?

All family emergencies must go through the emergency messages process at the prison facility where the incarcerated individual is located.

Will my phone call be monitored or recorded?

Yes, your call will be both monitored and recorded. Prisons use a monitoring/recording system to enhance security, increase incarcerated individual and public safety, and reduce criminal activity or activity that could threaten the orderly operation of the facility.

The DOC protects incarcerated individual's constitutional rights by providing for unmonitored legal phone calls made to a telephone number recognized by the applicable state's bar association. See DOC 450.200 Telephone Use by Incarcerated IndividualsAdobe PDF File for details.

How do I setup a prepaid phone account?

See the AdvancePay prepaid option to learn more about setting up an account to enable incarcerated individuals to call you, or the PIN Debit prepaid option to learn more about setting up an account to enable incarcerated individuals to call anyone on their Personal Allowed Number (PAN) list.

What are the phone rates to talk to incarcerated individuals?

See the ConnectNetwork phone rates for information about rates and fees that apply to phone calls with incarcerated individuals.

What happens if my answering machine picks up the incarcerated individual's phone call?

As a standard rule there is no charge if a call gets terminated to an answering machine. The system will determine that an answering machine has acquired the call and the incarcerated individual will not be allowed to leave a message.

In some rare cases, depending on the line quality and tone process of the answering machine, the system will set the call as accepted and a charge will be levied. In these cases, ConnectNetwork may refund the money and may request that the customer change the answering machine at their discretion.

How do I close my ConnectNetwork account?

To close your ConnectNetwork account, call (800) 483–8314 to speak to a Customer Service Representative.

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Professional Visitors FAQ

The Department has established expectations for professional visitors, guests and groups who visit/tour Department facilities and offices. These guidelines align with DOC 150.150, DOC 450.300, and DOC 590.500, along with facility rules. A professional visitor must be credentialed, licensed, and working in a professional capacity (e.g., clergy, attorney, social worker not escorting a minor, tribal/other government officials).

Proof of valid certification/licensure and other applicable documentation must be provided upon request or visit privileges may be denied. NCIC clearance is required, must qualify per DOC 450.300a1 Eligibility Requirements for Visitors.

To request a professional visit, the professional should reach out to the facility Legal Liaison Officer (LLO).

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