Visiting in Washington (WA DOC)

Getting on the Approved Visitor List

No one may visit until they are an approved visitor. Every prospective visitor submits an electronic application; paper applications are not used. Three forms cover the categories of visitor:

• DOC Form 20-060 — visitors age 18 and older.
• DOC Form 20-181 — minors 17 and under.
• DOC Form 20-182 — a government-designated escort.

Only one application may be pending at a time. Submitting a second application voids the first. Processing takes up to 45 business days. Forms and submission details are on the WA DOC visiting resources page.

The Approved Visitor List follows the person on transfer

Washington stores each person’s Approved Visitor List in an internal Statewide Visit System. When an incarcerated person transfers to another prison, the Approved Visitor List moves with them automatically — a new application is not required for each facility. After a transfer, the person’s current location can be confirmed on the WA DOC incarcerated-individual locator.

Scheduling a visit

There is no public online booking for in-person visits. Washington does not operate a statewide visitor-scheduling website for in-person visits, and the Securus online scheduler is for video visits only.

Once a visitor is approved, in-person visits are arranged with each prison directly. Each facility sets its own visiting days and availability, and many prisons admit approved visitors on a first-come, first-served basis — visitors can be turned away if the visiting room is full.

Identification

Every visitor age 18 and older must present a valid government-issued photo ID. International visitors present a passport. Requirements for accompanying minors are set per facility — confirm with the facility.

Dress code

The dress code is set by each facility, not statewide. General guidance is to wear modest, non-revealing clothing and to avoid clothing that resembles what incarcerated people or staff wear.

During the visit

Contact visits are the default, described in policy as limited, appropriate physical contact. Visits for people in restrictive housing or an Intensive Management Unit (IMU) are non-contact.

Money is never handed over during a visit. Deposits are made through JPay or Securus — see Sending Money.

Extended Family Visits

Washington operates an Extended Family Visit (EFV) program — private, overnight family visits, governed by DOC Form 21-415 and Policy 590.100. Eligibility is limited. In general, the incarcerated person must have a sentence of at least five years, have served at least one year, not be in maximum custody, and not be a registered sex offender. Eligibility and approval are confirmed with the facility.

Reception centers

People entering the WA DOC system are first held at a reception center:

• Men are received at the Washington Corrections Center (WCC) in Shelton.
• Women are received at the Reception & Diagnostic Center (RDC) at the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) in Gig Harbor — the only women’s prison in the system.

Families are not automatically notified of routine transfers, but the Approved Visitor List follows the person automatically. The person’s current facility can be confirmed on the WA DOC locator. See Transfers & Finding Someone.

Video visits

Video visiting is a separate option from in-person visiting and is the only form of visit scheduled online. Washington uses Securus Video Connect, which provides 4 free 30-minute sessions per month. Sessions are scheduled by the approved visitor in advance. Full details are in Phone & Video Calls.

Verify Before Acting

For the general, nationwide overview of this topic, see the national guide: Visiting Basics.