Visitor Applications and Rules for Visiting Wyoming Inmates
The Wyoming Department of Corrections has acknowledged the importance of visitation, and how it plays an integral role in the rehabilitation and eventual successful reintegration with society. Offenders who maintain a strong support network during their incarceration have shown a reduced risk of committing future crimes. Friends and family members can often feel overwhelmed and confused at the process of visiting an inmate, which is why we have compiled the most important things you need to know in order to visit an offender incarcerated in Wyoming:
- During the intake and assessment phase of an inmate's incarceration they will need to submit a request for visitors form, which will be processed three months after the initial intake date.
- All visitors, adult, and minor children must complete a Wyoming inmate visitors application (WDOC Form 531).
- The completed visitors application must be mailed back to the facility the inmate is incarcerated in (a list of addresses can be found at the bottom of the application)
- All visitors must read the WDOC visiting rules. Before entering into visitation, visitors will need to sign a visitor's consent form, which acknowledges they have read and understand the rules.
- Once your visiting application is approved, you can visit an inmate at the visitation times posted for each facility.
- Visitors should arrive at the facility no more than 15 minutes prior, and no later than 15 minutes after the start of the visiting period.
- All visitors over the age of 16 are required to provide a valid photo ID. Valid ID includes drivers license, state ID, passport, military ID, student ID, or tribal ID.
- Children under the age of 16 must provide a valid birth certificate, social security card, insurance card, or state ID.
- All visitors, their belongings, and their cars are subject to search. The facility may utilize canine units to aid in searches. Everyone is required to pass through a metal detector.
Additional information you should know when visiting an offender in Wyoming:
- All facilities in Wyoming are tobacco free. Cigarettes, chewing tobacco etc. are not allowed in facility grounds.
- Cell phones, pagers, recording devices, cameras, music devices and electronics of any kind are not allowed to enter into the facility.
- You may not enter the facility with food or beverage items.
- Visitors who become loud, disruptive, abusive or fail to comply with the directions of the staff will have their visit terminated.
- Excessive physical contact/contact of a sexual nature is prohibited and will result in the visit terminating and a possible suspension of visiting privileges.
- You may not bring any property to give to the inmate during visitation.
- The only items you should bring with you into visitation is your single car key, identification, and a small Ziploc bag with small bills/coin for use in the visiting room vending machines.
- Lockers are provided at some facilities for visitors to securely store their personal belongings in during visits.
- If you are visiting a prison with an infant or small child you can bring additional items including one clear plastic baby bottle, a single layer blanket, one pacifier, a single sealed powdered milk container or liquid formula, up to six diapers and an unopened sealed bag of wipes or wipes in a clear Ziploc bag.
Dress Code/Contact Rules for Visitors of Wyoming Inmates
Anyone who visits an inmate in Wyoming is required to follow a dress code. The dress code exists to ensure the safety, security, and order of the correctional institution. It is up to the discretion of the staff to interpret and enforce the dress code. Because of this we suggest you always leave a change of clothing in your car, this will enable you to quickly change if an article of clothing you are wearing is deemed inappropriate. The following is a general dress code guide for Wyoming prisons:
- No visitor is allowed to wear blue denim or clothes that are similar to the inmate's attire. This does not apply to children under three feet tall.
- Clothing that is form fitting or excessively tight is prohibited. This includes spandex, Lycra or similar material, leggings, tube tops, tank tops etc.
- Dresses, skirts, culottes, and shorts must not rise more than two inches above the middle of the kneecap. Wrap around skirts are prohibited.
- Uniforms such as military or doctors/nurse scrubs are not allowed to be worn.
- Clothing that exposes the chest, back, thighs, midsection, midriff, cleavage or excessive skin is prohibited. This includes clothing that has holes, slits, or that is sheer, see through or transparent.
- All visitors must wear appropriate undergarments (under-wire bras may set the metal detector off).
- Hats, outer garments, raincoats, ski jackets, umbrellas are not allowed to enter into the visitation area.
- Hooded shirts/sweatshirts are not allowed.
- Clothing, insignias and hairstyles associated with gangs are not allowed.
- Clothing with obscene language, images, depictions of sex, alcohol or drug use, or that could create a conflict or are offensive are prohibited.
- All visitors must wear shoes at all times.
If you have a question about visiting an inmate in Wyoming, or have already visited your inmate and would like to share your experience or know of some other useful information, please leave a comment below.