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Visiting a Prisoner at Maine State Prison

Visit Policies (Word 363K)

Visit Policies (PDF 68K)*

Visiting prisoners at the Maine State Prison is encouraged to allow prisoners reasonable opportunities to visit with relatives and friends in addition to professional visits involving the prisoner and an attorney or other representative of a legal advocacy organization.

Visitors should be aware that the option to participate in a scheduled visit is the prisoner's.

Visiting Hours: 

DAILY SEVEN (7) DAYS A WEEK     

8:30 to 10:30 a.m.     AND      1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance by calling (207) 273-5301

  • Monday through Friday between 8:00 and 11:30 am and 12:30 and 2:00 pm.
  • For a weekend or a Monday visit you must call before 2:00 pm on Friday.  
  • A phone with a direct line to the visit clerk is available in the MSP Lobby for visitors to use to schedule visits.

Frequency of Visits:

Please be advised that visitation is based upon custody status.

  • Prisoners housed in the Medium Unit are eligible for three (3) visits per week.
  • Prisoners housed in the Close Unit are eligible for two (2) visits per week.
  • Administrative Segregation, Disciplinary Status, and High Risk prisoners are eligible for one (1) (one-hour) visit per week. (Non-Contact Only) Non-Contact visiting provides for the prisoner and his visitor to be separated by a glass partition.

The visit week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday.

Visitation Clearance

  • No visitor except immediate family members shall be on more than one (1) prisoner’s visit list.
  • Immediate family includes spouse, natural, foster or adoptive mother, father, son, daughter, grandfather or grandmother, grandchild, brother or sister, or stepmother, stepfather, stepson, stepdaughter, stepgrandfather or stepgrandmother, stepgrandchild or stepbrother or stepsister.
  • Visitor Clearance Forms can be obtained from the prisoner that you wish to visit, from the Lobby Officer, Maine State Prison, or from this website.
    • Fill out an application, only one name per application.
    • Make sure that you sign the application and return it Attention: Visits, Maine State Prison.
  • Clearances may take up to six (6) weeks for processing. It may take longer if an applicant has a criminal record.
  • Family members as defined above may be granted NON-CONTACT visits prior to being cleared for CONTACT visits.

Maine State Prison recommends arriving a half-hour prior to your scheduled visit to allow adequate time to check in and be escorted to the visit.

Questions about visitation should be directed to the Visit Clerk, Maine State Prison, (207) 273-5301.

Visitation Room Rules:

  • With contact visits, a visitor and prisoner may embrace or kiss briefly at the beginning and end of the visit.  Prisoners and visitors may hold hands during the remainder of the visit.  The hands of the prisoner and visitor must be visible at all times.  Unless otherwise restricted, prisoners may hold their minor children in their laps.
  • Nothing will be passed between the visitor and prisoner.  
  • TOBACCO IS CONTRABAND.
  • An adult visitor must sit or be seated directly across from the prisoner.  The number of visitors allowed to visit a prisoner at any one time is three. Children under the age of four do not count as one of the three visitors.
  • There shall be no profane or loud language.
  • Visitors are not allowed to use the restroom in the visit area unless it is an emergency or undue hardship.
    • Visitors are encouraged to use the restroom prior to their visit.
    • Prisoners are not allowed toilet privileges during their visit under any conditions.
  • Prisoners and visitors are not allowed to move around the visit room or converse with other prisoners.
  • Food, drinks, toys, candies and gum from the outside are not allowed in the visit room.  Clear baby bottles and clear training cups for infants and toddlers are permitted.
  • Outer clothing/apparel is not allowed into the visit room.  Sweaters are permitted. Lockers are available in the Lobby to store items. 
  • The prisoner or visitor will carry no articles into the visit room.  No prisoner property or funds will be accepted by staff in connection with a visit.
  • Adults will accompany children at all times and will be responsible for their behavior.
    • Children's books and toys are available and located on a bookcase in the visit room.
    • Each child will be allowed to go to the bookcase during the visit period, and bring books or toys back to their visiting table.
    • Children must return directly to their table after selecting their books and toys.  
    • Adult visitors are responsible for picking up and returning books and toys to the bookcase.
    • All children must be seated within the immediate vicinity of the parents or guardians.  They may not sit unsupervised. They may not climb on furniture or disturb other visitors in any way, which includes yelling, screaming or throwing things.
  • All visitors are required to dress in a reasonable fashion to ensure the good order of the visiting room.
    • In instances where clothing worn by a visitor comes into question, the Visiting Sergeant or Shift Commander will make the determination if the visitor will be permitted to visit.  
    • If the visit is not allowed, the visitor will be advised to leave the property.
    •  Visitors are prohibited from wearing blue denim shirts into the visit area.
  • ALL VISITORS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH:  All persons are subject to search prior to and as a condition for visiting.  This includes minor children.  Persons found to be trafficking contraband will be suspended from visiting and may face criminal prosecution.
  • No person currently in service of a sentence will be permitted to visit. Ex-offenders must apply in writing to the Warden, one year after completion of their sentence before being allowed to visit.
  • Prisoners may be restricted to non-contact visitation as outlined in Department Policy 21.4.  This may include when a prisoner is found guilty of a disciplinary drug, tobacco, or contraband violation.

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