Limited Visiting to Restart in Chillicothe, Licking, Jefferson City (Algoa) June 25

June 18, 2020

Dear Family and Friends:

As the Missouri Department of Corrections continues to conduct mass COVID-19 testing among offenders and staff at all state prisons, we will begin a gradual return to more normal operations at sites where there are no cases of COVID-19. Changes may include reinstating programming, group activities and visits.

At this time, we plan to resume visiting, with restrictions, beginning Thursday, June 25 at three locations: 

• Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City
• South Central Correctional Center in Licking
• Chillicothe Correctional Center in Chillicothe

All visitors must call the facility to schedule an appointment.

Contact information is available on our website. Ask to speak to the staff member in charge of the visiting schedule. Spots are limited. Visiting will be increased to four days per week, Thursday through Sunday. However, the visiting rooms will be open at only 30% capacity, with 2-hour slots, with 2 visitors per offender, so you must schedule your appointment in advance.

Several new restrictions are in place to protect the health and safety of your offenders and staff. These restrictions are based on recommendations from offender councils. 

• All visitors must pass COVID-19 screening with a temperature check prior to entering the check-in area; anyone who does not pass the screening will not be allowed to enter
• Any visitor exhibiting signs of illness may be turned away
• Maximum of 2 visitors per offender
• Maximum of 2 visits per month
• Visits restricted to 2 hours in length with 45-minute break between visits to sanitize all surfaces and to process new visitors
• No minors under the age of 18
• Any visitor or offender with a serious underlying medical condition should refrain from visiting
• All visitors, staff and offenders will be required to wear a face cover or mask while in the visiting area; visitors must bring their own face covers
• Face covers will be inspected/searched for contraband and must be lowered when entering/exiting for identification purposes
• No contact between visitor and offender; no entrance/exit embrace or kiss; no contact at the table
• Visitors may use beverage vending machines only. No drink sharing is allowed. One person at a time at the vending machine, which will be cleaned after each use.
• No food vending, microwaves, water fountains or sink areas may be used
• No offender on quarantine status will be allowed to visit
• No games may be checked out
• Children’s areas remain closed
• No pictures
• Visiting rooms will be at 30% capacity, and each offender’s visitor(s) will be spaced apart from other visitors

The most important component of reopening visiting and keeping it open is you. If visitors help keep the virus out, visiting can continue. Make smart health decisions. Follow social distancing guidelines and other recommendations. Wash your hands. Avoid crowds. Stay home if you are sick. We encourage everyone who plans to visit a loved one to get tested for the virus within seven days of a planned visit. Testing sites are located throughout the state, and free testing is available at popup community testing locations.

The department and offenders’ families and friends are partners in protecting the health and safety of incarcerated Missourians and prison staff. We must all work together to keep everyone safe during this public health crisis.

Dates for resuming visiting at other facilities have not yet been set. If you have a loved one in a Missouri Department of Corrections facility, please sign up to receive email or text alerts here. Enter your email address or cell phone number, and select "Family & Friends" in the topics menu.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience.