Visiting a Prisoner in Michigan

A lot of people have an image that visiting a prisoner in Michigan is like what they have seen on TV. Certainly, there are some similarities, but there is much about visiting a prisoner that TV doesn't show.

Michigan's prison system has contact visits, which means you can hug and kiss or hold hands with the prisoner you visit. You do not need to sit behind Plexiglass(r) and communicate through a phone (unless the prisoner is currently housed in the hole). Instead, most of the visiting rooms in Michigan's prisons have lines of chairs against the walls and in the center of the room facing each other. Some have short tables on which prisoners and their visitors my place the vending food they purchase or play chess or card games. Most visiting rooms also have a corner with toys for small children who may be on the visit.

The vending machines contain pop (soda) and juices, sandwiches, chips, candy, and various other vending machine foods. Only visitors may use the vending machines, so the prisoners usually tell their visitor what they would like and then the visitor does the purchasing and microwaving. Michigan has a policy that all food items must be taken out of its packaging and placed on paper plates in front of the visiting room officer. Most visitors bring a Ziploc(r) baggie to hold their license and the change they bring for the vending machines. Visitors are not allowed to bring cellphones into the facility, and they must remove their watch before entering the visiting room. Most facilities have lockers out in the lobby for visitors to lock up their purses or other items they cannot bring into the visiting room. Most prisons also offer visitors an opportunity to purchase a picture ticket to have their picture taken with their loved one. Sometimes these tickets are purchased in the visiting room, and other times it is out in the lobby before entering the visiting room.

All visitor (except for clergy who bring their license) must be pre-approved through an application process before visiting a prisoner. Every visitor (except licensed clergy) must also be on a prisoner's visiting list before sending in their application. Prior to entering the visiting room, all visitors must register at the front desk, wait sometimes up to two hours, and then endure a thorough pat-down, including removing one's shoes and socks, before visiting their loved one. Visits may be terminated after an hour of visiting if the visiting room is exceptionally busy. The only exception to this is if the visitor has traveled more than 200 miles one way. Some officers are very rude and disrespectful to the visitors, and some facilities are notorious for their long wait times. However, visitors are not without recourse. They can fill out complaint forms which go to the Warden of the facility, or they can complain directly to the MDOC administration in Lansing if the problem persists. Visitors are not prisoners and should not have to suffer the same inhumane treatment that prisoners sometimes suffer. 

Visiting a prisoner can be a real hassle. The often long drive, long wait time, rude treatment, and terminated visits can be very discouraging. For those of us prisoners who do receive visits though, it can be the highlight of the month (or even year!). Prison is very isolating, and phone calls can only go so far to help a prisoner feel connected to those he loves. Many of us recognize the immense stress that visiting a prisoner can have on a person, but we are grateful to spend a little time with people we love and who love us back. For prisoners, visits are one way to maintain the essential connection with your loved ones who will often provide the very support a prisoner needs to succeed upon release from prison. We need you to remind us that we too are valued humans.