Hi,

I was wondering if anyone of you ever visited Dorchester Institution.
How about the visitation approval? How long does it take?

Thanx.

Hey,

Yes I have visited there numerous times. It's not too bad I don't think. They have a kid's play area, vending machines etc. You can't smoke anywhere though.

Here is a link on visiting Dorchester. If you have any more questions at all please PM me!

http://prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162385


Erin

:thumbsup: Oh thank you for the link, LovinJus. Until so far, all my questions are answered. Wow, pretty useless thread I made there. Sorry.

lol...no problem. Also to add a note, for me, it didn't take 2 months to get approved to visit. I got approved in a matter of a couple weeks. AND I sent my application right in the middle of Christmas holidays and I was still approved by January 7. The 'Board' meets every other Wednesday and this is when they go over visiting applications. I think they just say 2 months to give themselves a bit of a cushion in case some take longer than others. After you are approved, you will be sent in writing your approval. I would bring this with you the first time you visit just to be sure they have you on file. I believe the inmate also is sent the approval notice. If you are denied they will send that to both with a reason in writing.

Where are you visiting from? I mean travelling from for your visit? Just out of curiosity. Oh yeah there is also Mountain Top Hospitality House which is across the street from the instistitutions. It is for inmates families and is only $20 a night. They will also cook you supper for a small fee and you can prepare you breakfast there. They will drive you to the institution for your visit also. The house burnt down a few months ago but the CORCAN guys are rebuilding it now and it should be up and running again by February. At least that is what the board member I spoke with said. My inmate talked to some of the CORCAN guys and they said they are almost done so that's a good sign. Other than that place, there is nowhere's else that is very close and all are a lot more expensive of course.

Let me know if you have any questions down the road! I remember how clueless and scared I was when I first went to visit. There was no one on here that had been there before so I had no idea what I was getting into...lol so I am happy to help.

Erin

it took less then three weeks for me to get approved...and the only time u can smoke when you are there is if its a social then everyone is in the gym and you have access to outside.

Less than 2 months, less than 3 weeks..that's pretty quick, huh?
That hospitality house is a real good option, I see.
If I'm gonna be visiting, I'm travelling from Holland, LovinJus.
I actually got the visitation form in the mail today. But what's with the 2 pictures you need to send along. I mean, I do understand 1, but 2?

I believe the two pictures have to be 2 different shots (1 waist up and 1 shoulders up) but I can't really remember. I geuss they just figure sometimes people look different in one pic than they might in the next (ie if your hair was up or down or whatever) but when I sent mine in, I took both pictures at the same time so I'm wearing the same clothes, hair the same all that, so I don't know how important it really is. Just make sure you send 2 different pictures and not 2 copies of the same one.

Once you are approved let me know and I can send you some info on the hospitality house. Actually it may already be in a thread here somewhere in the visiting forum. I can't remember...lol...however, next time I go I will see if they have any pamphlets or anything I might be able to send you.

Erin

I did the same thing, I took two pictures at the same time, i was wearing the same clothes but just sat it two different places in the house and they were accepted.

Thank you both for the info, LovinJus & Sugarplum.
Aaaw, you've been helpful enough already, LovinJus. Don't bother about bringing any flyers. Just enjoy the time with your loved one. Thanx anyways. :)