h1N1 Precautions

Due to the recent spread of the novel H1N1, or swine flu, virus the Department of Corrections encourages visitors who have flu symptoms to stay home. These symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough and fever.

Please remember that the best way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is by practicing the following precautions:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;
Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze;
Try to avoid close contact with sick people;
If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them;
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

These are the same precautions that should be taken to stop transmitting all influenza viruses.

Important Notice for Visitors

Beginning September 4, 2009 all prisons in Washington State are taking extra precautions to lower the risk of influenza and other illnesses entering our facilities. Because of the unique nature of prisons and the special risks posed by the spread of illnesses we will deny entrance to visitors who have flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms of flu include: fever or chills and either cough or sore throat. Additional symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Visitors who display these symptoms will be denied for that day and visiting may resume after the person has been symptom-free for 24 hours. This measure is necessary to prevent the virus' spread and to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff and offenders - especially those in high-risk categories.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Visiting an Offender

Visits help to preserve healthy relationships between offenders and their family and friends. The Department strives to make these visits comfortable and pleasant.

Get facility visiting rules and schedules.

Please be advised: Unforeseen security problems may interfere with visiting, causing delayed, shortened, suspended or cancelled visits. This is unusual, but it does occasionally occur.

What are the scheduled visiting hours?

Visiting schedules vary among the facilities. Check the facility pages for visiting rules and schedules. To ensure a positive visit, be aware of the dress code and all of the rules.

What are the requirements for visitors under the age of 18?

Get more information about minors visiting.

What are the requirements for visitors over the age of 18?

Before being placed on the offender’s visiting list, the approval process must be complete. It takes an average of 3 to 6 weeks for a visiting application (PDF) to be processed and a criminal background check to be completed. If you are approved, you will be added to the visiting list and the offender will be notified.

You must bring current photo identification (ID) to the visit: Driver's license, military ID, Indian tribal ID, state ID card, state or federal agency ID, or passport.

NOTE: Because work release facilities do not have access to the same visit records as in the prisons, a new application must be submitted when an offender transfers to or from a work release.

What items can I bring to a visit?

Bring limited items - $15.00 in change per visitor (or a vending machine debit card) for those facilities that have vending machines available.
Life sustaining medication needed during the visiting period (if the visitor provides proof of prescription).