Visitor Information & FAQ

The Department strongly encourages family reunification and believes visitation is the most important aspect of this. While offering this privilege to visit, the Department is also responsible for the following:

  • Ensuring every individual entering and exiting the facility is properly identified
  • Ensuring the safety to the public, staff, visitors and inmates housed at the facility

We hope your visit to one of our facilities is a positive experience.

Articles of Clothing NOT Permitted

  • Halter tops or bra-less attire
  • Underwear-type t-shirts or tank tops
  • Fishnet clothing
  • Skin tight clothing
  • Shoes with removable parts
  • See-through fabric without an undergarment
  • Dresses, skirts or shorts more than three inches above the knee
  • Clothing with a threatening picture or language
  • Camouflage
  • Any clothing with metal

What to Expect

Before you visit an FDC facility you should expect:

  • Brief Questioning
  • Metal Detection
  • Pat Search
  • Barrier Search

Questioning

Upon entering the search area, each visitor will be asked a series of questions. The purpose of these questions is to ensure you as the visitor, or the minor child that is accompanying you, is not in violation of Florida Statue 944.47: Introduction of Contraband into a Correctional Institution. Examples include cash money, cell phones, drugs of any type, tobacco and weapons. If you don’t check it in with the staff, don’t bring it in!

Anyone violating this statue is subject to arrest and may be charged with a third degree felony.

Search Procedure

All of our institutions require that any person visiting an inmate be searched. All of these searches are performed with the safety of the visitors, staff and inmates in mind.

Our goal is to arrest anyone who deliberately introduces contraband into our institutions. Contraband creates violent incidents that could cause harm to your loved one, or even death.

Search Procedure for Children

Our procedures require that all persons (to include minor children) be subjected to some form of search. A parent or guardian will be present during the search of any minor child.

Metal Detection

After a staff member has searched your authorized personal items, you will then be directed to pass through a form, or multiple forms, of metal detection. FDC currently utilizes a walk-through metal detector and a hand-held metal detector. Once you are scanned by a metal detector, you will be required to pass the Magneto Static Detector (a machine that detects cell phones and other devices).

All alerts must be verified. If you cannot pass both detectors without an alert, the source of the alarm must be isolated or you will not be permitted entrance. **Having wire in an undergarment will subject you to a more enhanced search.

If the alarm is caused by a medical implant that is not visible to the human eye, a note from a certified physician will be required. The physician whose name appears on the note will be verified.

Pat Search

After metal detection, you will be directed to a separate room for a clothed, pat search by a staff member of the same sex. During this pat search you will be asked to remove all exterior clothing such as jackets, sweaters, scarfs, shoes, etc.

Barrier Search

You may be directed to an area where a canine handler is present. The canine is trained in the detection of drugs and cell phones. The handler, along with a highly trained canine will be standing behind a fence barrier. You will be asked to stand next to and in front of the barrier. If the canine alerts that contraband may be present, a more thorough search will be conducted, to possibly include an unclothed search and a search of your vehicle.

Once you have cleared...

...you will then be permitted entrance into the visiting park. Remember, all of these searches are necessary and are performed with the safety of the visitors, staff and inmates in mind.

Using the Restroom

At any time during your visit that you utilize the restroom, you will be subject to another pat search upon entering/exiting.

See Something/Say Something

Report any suspicious activity or rule violations to a staff member in order to help us provide a safer environment for your loved one.

  • How Do I Apply for Visitation?
    1. Complete a visitation application form (DC6-111A):
      Please Be Advised! There are several non-authorized Websites providing outdated Visitation Forms. Make certain to use official forms only available through the Florida Department of Corrections.

      The inmate you wish to visit must send you a current official application. Alternatively, you may complete an application online. The electronic application can be located on the Florida Department of Corrections Website/Offender Search/Inmate Population Information Search/Inmate Population Information Detail page. An application must be completed by all visitors 12 years of age or older. DO NOT LEAVE BLANKS. Doing so will cause your application to be DENIED. When items do not apply, write in NA (not applicable).

      The application form consists of two parts: Form numbers DC6-111A and DC6-111B. You complete and submit the DC6-111A. The DC6-111B is a visitor information summary which should be reviewed and retained by the visitor.

    2. How do I submit my visitation application?
      Completed applications (DC6-111A) should be mailed to the Classification Department at the inmate's current location (see the Statewide Facility Directory for address information). A completed, printed and signed application may also be submitted as an attachment to an e-mail to the inmate?s current location. Institutional e-mail addresses for visitation applications utilize the following format: visitapp(facility)@fdc.myflorida.com. For example, the Calhoun CI email will be visitappcalhounci@fdc.myflorida.com; or the South Florida Reception Center email will be visitappsfrc@fdc.myflorida.com.

      The E-mail addresses for private correctional facilities are as follows:

    3. How long does it take to process a visiting application?
      It takes approximately 30 days to process an application from the date it is received.
    4. Can more than one visitor fill out the same application?
      No. Each person wishing to visit must fill out a separate application.
    5. Who will notify me if I am either approved or disapproved to visit?
      When a decision is made regarding your application, a notice is given to the inmate. The inmate will notify you either by phone or correspondence.
    6. What are some of the things that can disqualify me?
      To list a few, a criminal history, providing false or inaccurate information on a visiting application, mailing an incomplete application, etc. Possessing a criminal record will not automatically disqualify you for visitation. The nature, extent, and recency of criminal offenses are taken into consideration. However, as of January 8, 2007, offenders must be discharged from community supervision for at least one year prior to being eligible for consideration.
    7. Can I be on the approved visiting list of more than one inmate?
      A visitor will not be permitted to be on more than one inmate’s approved visiting record unless they are immediate family members. If you are already on the approved list of a non-family member, you may be added to the list of a family member. However, you may not be added to the list of a non-family member if you are already on an approved visiting list, family or otherwise.
  • What are the registration and visiting times?

    Regular visiting is held on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (8:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time). Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. (7:15 a.m. CST) on both days. Visitors will not be processed after 2:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. CST) unless authorized by the duty warden. Visitors will be allowed to park in designated spaces no earlier than 7:30 a.m. EST and 6:30 a.m. CST on visiting days.

  • Can I visit on a holiday?

    Regular visiting is permitted on the following holidays:

    • New Year's Day
    • Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday in January)
    • Memorial Day
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Veteran's Day (November 11th)
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Friday after Thanksgiving; and
    • Christmas Day

    If any of the holidays listed above falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a holiday. If any of these holidays fall on Sunday, then the following Monday will be observed as the holiday.

  • What are the Visitation Rules?
    1. Can I just show up at the institution to visit an inmate?
      No. You must fill out a visiting application and wait for the inmate to notify you.
    2. Can I give anything to the inmate during our visit?
      No. With the exception of foods purchased inside the visiting park, you may not exchange or give anything to the inmate. You may contact the on-duty warden to request a special exception to this rule.
  • What Can/Can't I Bring?
    1. Can I bring an approved minor/child even if I am not the parent?
      Any minor 17 years of age or younger who cannot furnish proof of emancipation must be accompanied by an approved adult on the inmate's visiting list. Further, if you are not the parent, you must present a notarized document from the parent or legal guardian, not an inmate, giving you permission to bring the minor/child in to visit, regardless if the minor is approved. The visitor bringing the minor to visit cannot notarize the document.
    2. What baby items can I bring into the visiting park?
      A maximum of five (5) diapers, three (3) clear plastic baby bottles or two (2) sipper cups for toddlers, one (1) clear plastic baby pacifier, three (3) clear plastic jars of baby food with the original seal intact, and baby wipes or towelettes (in a clear plastic bag). Also, you may bring in an infant baby carrier (subject to search), one (1) set of infant clothing, and one (1) non-quilted baby blanket to keep the infant warm.
    3. What clothing should I NOT wear to the institution?
      It's always a good idea to dress conservatively. The following is a list of some of the clothing deemed inappropriate: Tank tops, skin tight or spandex clothing, shorts that are more than 3 inches above the knee, skirts, fish net style clothing, clothing with offensive language/pictures, military style camouflage clothing to include jungle (green), urban (grey or black), and desert (tan or brown), and see thru clothing.
    4. How much money can I bring in during my visit?
      Up to $50.00, in $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00 denominations only or silver change, per visitor, regardless of age, to purchase snacks and beverages from visiting park canteens or vending machines. All snacks and beverages shall be purchased and consumed in the visiting area. A small wallet or pouch may be used for containing the bills and any change received from the canteen or vending purchases.
    5. What else may I bring into the visiting park?
      You may bring a vehicle key necessary to operate your vehicle. However, keyless entry devices are not permitted unless the duty warden or designee determines that the device is the only means for the visitor to access the vehicle and it does not pose a threat to institutional security.
    6. What If I need my prescription medication?
      You may bring in medication, but only the dosage necessary. The medication must be in the original prescribed container and must be clearly marked. However, certain restrictions apply and the department reserves the right to prohibit certain prescriptions which may pose a threat to institutional security.
    7. What if I require injections for medical purposes?
      If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, which requires injections, you will be permitted to depart the visiting park and take the necessary medications. Needles and syringes must be secured in your locked vehicle and are not permitted inside the visiting park for security reasons. Do not dispose of needles and syringes on institutional grounds.
  • Is visitation a right?

    No. Visitation is a privilege and as such is subject to suspension/revocation if circumstances dictate.

    For the complete rules governing visitation, please see Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 33, Section 601.711-737.

  • If I experience a problem during my visitation, whom should I contact?

    You should ask to speak to the officer in charge (OIC) at the visiting park. If you are unable to resolve the issue, you may contact the on-duty warden.

  • I have been a pen pal with an inmate for quite awhile. May I visit the inmate?

    Yes. You must submit an application for consideration. However, we urge the public to be cautious before establishing social or pen pal relationships with inmates. Please visit our web-site at www.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx to verify information about Florida inmates before engaging in correspondence with them.

  • Who do I contact about visitation?

    You must contact the Classification Officer at the inmate's current facility (see the Statewide Facility Directory for address information).

  • What About Special Visits?
    1. How do I get a special visit?
      Contact the institution and speak with the inmate's Classification Officer. Special visits are not given routinely but are reserved for extenuating circumstances and are granted at the discretion of the Warden.
    2. Do I still need to fill out a visiting application even if the warden already granted me a one-time special visit?
      Yes, unless you were already approved to visit.
  • Who has final authority on visitation?

    The warden at each facility has the final approval or disapproval authority for each visitation request. (See the Statewide Facility Directory for contact information).