Visitation Information

The Utah Department of Corrections encourages family and friends of inmates to visit them as their privilege level allows. Visitors must be approved and must make an appointment prior to visiting.

Email is our main source of communication. Please look out for changes or cancelations to visits. With our current staffing shortage and the number of tasks our visiting staff must handle, we may not answer the phone when you call. An email is the best way to ensure you receive a timely answer to your inquiry.

When you submit a visitor application or a request for visitation, our response will come via email. DO NOT attempt to call to confirm a visitation time the day of the visit.

Studies have shown that inmates who visit regularly with supporters have a markedly improved chance of success when they are eventually released back into the community.

It is, however, important to review visitation regulations prior to attempting to meet with an offender, whether he or she is housed at the Utah State Correctional Facility, Central Utah Correctional Facility or in one of the county jails.

You can find information about our regulations below, as well as current visiting schedules here.

Please check our website regularly to find out whether any special conditions apply to the facility you plan to visit. The conditions may change daily.

Please arrive 10 minutes early for video visiting and 30 minutes early for in-person visiting.

Click to view our Visitor Application Forms.
Click to use our Online Visiting Application.

Learn how to schedule a video visit here.

We ask visitors who answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions to not enter our facilities because of the risk they may pose to themselves, our inmates and staff:

1. Do you have a fever, sore throat, muscle aches, joint aches, and shortness of breath or a cough? (If it has been more than 10 days since you last experienced these symptoms, you will be allowed to visit).
2. Are you currently feeling ill or feel you are in need of medical care?
3. Are you currently being treated for any contagious illness?

While the prison and its personnel do understand the inconvenience not being able to visit can cause, we appreciate your help in maintaining public health and safety.

All visitors must pass through a body scanner. If you have a medical condition that may set off the body scanner, please be prepared to provide proof from your doctor detailing which part of your body might set off the detector (such as hip or knee replacements). It is important to do this before your first visit to eliminate the possibility of being turned away.

Visitors are expected to read and understand all of the following rules:

• Visitation is a privilege, not a right, afforded to inmates/visitors under the jurisdiction of the Utah Department of Corrections.
• Visitors shall comply with all Department rules, policies and procedures.
• Visitors are subject to search of their person, personal belongings and vehicle upon entering all prison facilities. Visitation may be denied for failure to submit to such search request.
• Illegal and nuisance contraband is strictly prohibited.
• Falsification of any visiting form may result in a visiting suspension.
• Visitors who have questions regarding the rules, regulations and procedures are responsible to ask staff for clarification in order to thoroughly understand them.
• Visitors not in compliance with visiting rules shall be warned and/or required to leave the visiting area.
• Visiting rules apply without exception to all Utah correctional facilities. Due to the security concerns unique to maximum-security units and off-site medical facilities, additional rules may apply.
• All adult visitors shall submit a renewal form annually. If visiting staff determine that a visitor has submitted an annual renewal form, staff shall notify the inmate or visitor. If visiting staff does not received a renewal form within 30 days, they shall remove the visitor from the inmate’s approved visiting list.
• All minor visitors will be automatically removed from an inmate’s visiting list, without notification, on the minor’s 18th birthday. It is the responsibility of the inmate to submit an adult application, prior to the minor’s 18th birthday.
• All visitors will be required to remove their shoes during the screening process. Visitors who refuse will be turned away.
• The Department shall not be responsible for the loss of personal items brought on prison property.

• Visitors shall comply with all DPO rules, policies, and procedures.
• Visitors shall read the Visitor Rules and Regulations during the online application process. Any violation may result in a suspension, termination, or revocation of visiting privileges.
• Visitors who have questions regarding rules, regulations, and/or procedures are responsible for asking Visiting staff questions in order to thoroughly understand them.
• If Visiting staff members are unable to answer the visitor’s question, the staff will contact the Visiting Captain or Lieutenant. Every attempt should be made to get the answer on the same day. If the answer is not obtained the same day, a Visiting staff member shall follow up with the visitor as soon as the answer is obtained.
• Prior to the initial visit, the approved visitor shall sign the Application for Visitation Form, which states that they have read, understand, and shall comply with the visiting rules and regulations.
• Falsification of any visiting forms may result in a visiting suspension.
• Visitors not in compliance with visiting rules may have their visit terminated.
• Visiting rules apply without exception to all DPO facilities.
• Inmate visiting privileges are determined by the PML.
• Visitors shall comply with the visitor dress standard as described in this policy.
• Visitors shall access only those areas specifically designated as visiting areas.
• Visitors and inmates should remain seated during their visit, and they should remain three feet or more from any wall or door in the visiting area.
• Visitors shall not be permitted to leave and re-enter the facility during a visit.
• Visitors’ restroom facilities shall be off-limits to inmates. Visitors are not permitted access to inmate restroom facilities. Children shall not be allowed to use restrooms without supervision by the visiting parent or other approved adult.
• Any visitor found in possession of contraband:
  • may be detained and the matter referred to Investigations, for criminal prosecution; and
  • the visitor shall have visiting privileges suspended, restricted, or revoked and their name removed from the inmate’s visiting list pending a review by the Security Deputy Warden/designee.
• Visitors with babies shall bring no more than one transparent baby bottle, a small package of baby wipes in a clear bag, and no more than two diapers into the visiting area. These items are subject to search and shall be left on the Visiting staff desk until needed.
• Sanitation problems caused by children shall be taken care of immediately by the visitor.
• Tobacco products, matches, and lighters are prohibited in the visiting areas.
• All food items (gum, candy, etc.) from outside the prison shall not be allowed.
• Any person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities or a young or aging person who requests or is offered transportation to a secondary visiting area (Antelope, Dell, et.), will be accommodated and authorized by the assigned Visiting Sergeant or Shift Commander.
• Visitors shall not be permitted to bring electronic devices into the visiting area (e.g. cell phones, multipurpose watches, etc.).
• Visitors shall only visit with the inmate they are approved to visit. Inmates and visitors shall not visit with other visitors or inmates during their visit.
• Visitors who are approved to be on more than one inmate’s visiting list shall only visit with one inmate per visiting session. The Warden/designee may make exceptions. Exceptions shall be in writing and approved on a case-by-case basis.

• Sexual contact between inmates and visitors such as petting, fondling, prolonged/open mouth kissing or other bodily contact is prohibited.
• Any visitor/inmate who displays inappropriate or abusive behavior, foul and/or abusive language, or refuses to comply with Department rules, policies or procedures shall be denied entry into the visiting room or, if already in the visiting room, shall be required to leave the visiting area immediately.
• Any visitor who exhibits signs or behaviors that indicate they may be under the influence of drugs or intoxicants shall be detained and the matter referred to the Shift Commander.
• Inmates and the escorting adult visitor are responsible for controlling behavior of visiting children.

All visitors shall adhere to the following visitor dress standards:

1. The attire must be conservative.
2. All visitors shall adhere to the following visitor dress standards (PROCEDURE FD04 – Visiting Revised: 7/11/2022 PUBLIC Page 4 of 22):
   
   1. visitors must be fully clothed;
   2. visitors must wear shoes or closed-toe sandals;
   3. all clothing (e.g. skirts, dresses, capris) including slits in the garments, shall be knee-length or longer when standing;
   4. buttons and zippers must remain fastened;
   5. female adults and physically-mature minor female visitors must wear a bra and undergarments; and
   6. religious attire, e.g. scarves, head wraps, etc. may be worn but is subject to removal so it can be searched; and
   7. layered clothing may be approved on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the clothing is subject to search. Please be prepared to remove all jackets, sweaters, etc., for scanning by having appropriate clothing underneath.
3. The following types of clothing shall NOT be allowed:
   
   1. any clothing, which resembles inmate-issued clothing or staff-issued uniforms;
   2. camouflage-patterned items (e.g. military-type clothing or military fatigues);
   3. transparent or sheer clothing, including “burn-out” fabrics, yoga pants, or leggings;
   4. any items that may not pass the body scanner or screening process, e.g. wired bras, excessive jewelry, pants with excessive buttons or zippers, etc.;
   5. open weave sweaters or blouses (i.e., lace);
   6. medical clothing (e.g. scrubs);
   7. strapless, tube tops, halter, low cut/backless, spaghetti straps or tops that expose the midriff; sleeveless tops/dresses, tank tops, wrap-around dresses or shirts, and/or any item of clothing that expose the chest and back;
   8. tight-fitting clothing (e.g. leggings, Jeggings, and spandex);
   9. attire displaying obscene/offensive, derogatory language or drawing;
   10. attire displaying gang association/ gang-related depiction;
   11. hats, hoods, or caps; and l. clothing fads that expose excessive amounts of skin, e.g. grunge, ripped, distressed, fatigued, destroyed, etc.

• Visitors 16 years of age and older shall present a government-issued identification card prior to being permitted to visit.
• Visitors shall be screened with a body scanner, and must clear the body scanner, prior to visiting.
• Visitors are subject to a search (i.e., ionizer, property, vehicle search) upon entering the prison and/or visiting area. Visitation may be denied for failure to submit to a search request. Visitors may refuse a search at any time, but shall immediately leave prison property and shall not be allowed to visit.
• A maximum number of three visitors, will be allowed to visit an inmate per visiting session.

General Visiting Times

• Visiting times shall be scheduled and posted in advance.
• In-person visitors should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled visitation time. Video visitors should be online at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.
• At USCF, in-person visits are two hours in length. Video visits are 30 minutes.
• At CUCF, in-person visits are 90 minutes in length. Video visits are 30 minutes.
• The inmate’s privilege matrix level shall determine the number of visits allowed per week/month.
• Exceptions shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Level I and Level II Inmate Visiting:

• All in-person visits shall be barrier;
• Inmates and visitors shall remain seated on the chairs/benches provided during in-person visits.

All offenders will still receive the same number of visits per their privilege level listed below:

ANTELOPE LEVELS:

1. No visits
2. 1 barrier visit per month
3. 2 barrier visits per month
4. 2 barrier visits per month
5. 3 barrier visits per month
6. 3 barrier visits per month

GENERAL POPULATION LEVELS:

7. 2 visits per month (1 In person and 1 video visit)
8. 3 visits per month (1 In person and 2 video visits)
9. 4 visits per month (2 In person and 2 video visits)
10. 5 visits per month (2 In person and 3 video visits)
11. 8 visits per month (4 In person and 4 video visits)
12. 12 visits per month (6 In person and 6 video visits)

Client Visits

To visit clients at either the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake or the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, you must fill out an application, available at the Warden’s Office at either facility. As part of the application, which must be renewed annually, you will need to provide your Utah State Bar card and pass a background check.

Electronics: smartwatches, cameras, tape recorders, cell phones, laptops, or any Wi-Fi-capable devices must be cleared in advance by the Warden’s Office, prior to arriving on prison property. Please call 801-522-7001 or email [email protected] to schedule your legal access visit at USCF.

Attorneys/representatives should call or email in advance to schedule a legal access visit at USCF. This will ensure the availability of your inmate client and reduce administrative delays or possible security problems. At the Utah State Correctional Facility, the Warden’s Office in the Stephen R. Anderson Building in front of the Screening Building. At the Central Utah Correctional Facility, the Warden’s Office is in the main entrance building.

If you plan to send a legal representative or investigator, please provide a letter from the Attorney of Record authorizing them to meet with your client. Attorneys/representatives may conduct business with their inmate clients at the USCF Facility, Monday through Friday, 0800-1100 hours, and 1300-1500 hours. Prior clearance from the Warden/designee may be obtained for times not addressed above for exigent circumstances. This request will need to be approved by the Warden/designee so please provide a justification.