MCC Visit - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. HOW DO I VISIT A RESIDENT?
     
    • Fill out an application, only one adult per application. (Applications may be photocopied as long as the application sent in has the original signature).
    • Make sure you write your mailing address and your residential address. Applications with P.O. boxes given as residential addresses will be returned.
    • Make sure that you sign the application.
    • Return the application directly to the visit office. (Address is on the visit application)
    • Make an appointment as explained below.

  2. WHO MUST SUBMIT APPLICATIONS?

    All adults, immediate family, relatives and friends must have an application on file before they may make an appointment to visit. Minors must appear on an adult’s application.

  3. HOW SOON BEFORE I CAN VISIT?

    Visit applications are completed as quickly as possible and in the order in which they were received.  The resident will receive notification, if approved resident is responsible for notifying you.  Once you are notified of your approval you may contact the Visit Office at (207) 893-7109 to schedule a visit.  Visits must be scheduled two business days in advance.

  4. I AM NOT MARRIED TO THE RESIDENT BUT WE HAVE CHILDREN TOGETHER. HOW SOON BEFORE I MAY VISIT?
    Visit applications are completed as quickly as possible and in the order in which they were received.  The resident will receive notification, if approved resident is responsible for notifying you.  Once you are notified of your approval you may contact the Visit Office at (207) 893-7109 to schedule a visit.  Visits must be scheduled two business days in advance.

  5. HOW DOES THE VISIT APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?

    Visit applications are completed as quickly as possible and in the order in which they were received.  The resident will receive notification, if you are approved and is responsible for notifying the you.  Once you are notified of your approval you may contact the Visit Office at (207) 893-7109 to schedule a visit.  Visits must be scheduled two business days in advance.

  6. HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN I HAVE BEEN CLEARED TO VISIT?

    We will send a clearance notice to the resident you want to visit. It is the resident's responsibility to notify you of your clearance and the times you may visit and call to make appointments. Clearance notification will not be given over the telephone!

  7. HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

    To make an appointment you should call our visit office at (207) 893-7109. There is a recorded message which provides some basic visit information and times the visit office is open to accept phone calls for appointments. Phone hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 to  4:00pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 09:00 to 1:00 pm.

  8. WHAT ARE THE RULES REGARDING MINORS?

    • The Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, of each facility shall ensure that minors (persons under 18 years of age, unless married or emancipated by court order) are permitted to visit residents, unless the minor is a prohibited visitor as set out in Procedure F. A minor visitor must be accompanied at the visit by a parent or legal guardian who is an approved adult visitor and who has listed the minor on his or her application.
    • An adult who is not a parent or legal guardian and is an approved visitor may also be allowed to bring in a minor visitor with the written permission of a parent having legal custody or the legal guardian of the minor, and with the prior approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee. The written permission must be notarized and must be limited to a specific period of time (e.g., expires after six (6) months from date of first visit) and all information provided shall be verifiable.
    • An approved professional visitor from the Department of Health and Human Services may also be allowed to bring in a minor visitor, with the prior approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee.
    • In the case of a male or female resident who is a parent of an infant born within the six (6) weeks prior to the resident's incarceration or born during the resident's incarceration, the facility Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, shall ensure that the resident is allowed to have bonding visits with the infant until the infant is six (6) weeks old, provided that the resident's visit privileges are not suspended; the infant is not a prohibited visitor as set out in Procedure F; the infant is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (or other adult with the resident's written permission) who is an approved visitor; and there is no other reason of safety, security or orderly management to deny, restrict, or terminate the visit.
    • In order to be allowed a bonding visit, the resident or adult visitor shall provide a certified copy of the infant's birth certificate listing the resident as a parent, unless, in the case of a female resident, she gave birth to the infant during her incarceration.
    • Unless the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, grants an extended visit or an additional visit as set out in Procedure A, a bonding visit shall occur during normal visit hours.
    • During a bonding visit, the resident and/or the visitor may breastfeed or bottle feed the infant.
    • During a bonding visit, the visitor may bring in to the visit one clear plastic bottle of pre-mixed infant formula and a pacifier, provided they pass an inspection and/or search.

  9. I LIVE A LONG DISTANCE FROM MCC, MAY I HAVE EXTRA VISIT TIME?

    The resident request a special visit through a special visit request form at the facility, however for the most part the visits are not extended, they are based on housing and level systems.

  10. MAY I VISIT MORE THAN ONE RESIDENT?

    You may visit one person per facility. Exceptions may be made for visitors coming to see residents who are immediate family members with each other.

  11. WILL I GET SEARCHED?

    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. The searches may include metal detector, pat search, canine search.

  12. WHAT MAY I BRING IN, OR SEND IN THE MAIL FOR THE RESIDENT?

    Nothing may be brought in through visitations.  MCC provides each resident with basic personal hygiene needs, clothing, writing paper, and envelopes. There is a canteen where the resident may buy snack foods, stamps, daily paper, a television, radio and so on. The resident may also order other allowable items through catalogues available through the commissary. DO NOT BRING CASH OR SEND CASH IN THE MAIL!

    DO NOT SEND: Personal property, postage stamps, stickers, musical greeting cards, Polaroid pictures, or more than forty five (45) regular size pictures. These items will not be allowed and the resident will have to pay to return them to sender. Letters written in code or other mail that might endanger the safety or welfare of any residents or the security of the facility may be rejected.

  13. MAY I SEND MONEY TO THE RESIDENT?

    Yes. An individual account is established for each resident. Money may be mailed to the resident or transferred online at : https://www.maine.gov/online/correctionsdeposit/main.cgi . We recommend on-line transactions by credit card as those will be posted to a resident’s account without a 14-day  hold period.  Money for residents may not be dropped off in person. DO NOT SEND CASH. All funds received in the form of U.S. Postal money orders, cashier’s checks/official checks from a Maine bank, money orders from a Maine bank, government checks (including tribal checks), shall be posted to a resident’s or resident’s general or phone account within three (3) working days after receipt in the facility Business Office but shall be placed on hold for a period of fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of posting.  Money orders/checks must be legible and contain the resident's full name (with middle initial and MDOC number if you know it) to ensure it is applied to the correct account. They should also have the sender's full name and address, otherwise they will not be processed.

  14. WHAT IS THE RESIDENT'S MAILING ADDRESS?

    resident's Legal Name and MDOC Number (if known)
    17 Mallison Falls Road
    Windham ME 04062

  15. MAY I SEND NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES OR BOOKS?

    MCC enforces the "Publishers Only Rule." All publications, which include but are not limited to newspapers, magazines, soft back books or paperbacks must be received directly from the publisher, or recognized commercial agent of the publisher. Click for approved publishers Speak with the resident for more specific information. MCC shall NOT ACCEPT such items if they are sent to residents from home, friends, or private individuals. The resident must bear the costs of returning all items considered to be contraband or non-allowable items.

  16. MAY I SPEAK WITH A RESIDENT ON THE PHONE?

    MCC has outgoing telephones available in every housing area. We do not accept incoming phone calls for residents. residents are not allowed to call any victims. If you have an emergency which we can verify with local public safety officials, the Correctional Caseworker is your contact person during business hours. If after normal business hours, ask to speak with the security shift supervisor. Our phone number for non-visit related business is 893-7000.

  17. WHERE IS THE MAINE CORRECTIONAL CENTER?

    MCC is located at 17 Mallison Falls Road in Windham, Maine, approximately 9 miles from Portland, Maine’s Transportation Center (Amtrak Train and Concord Bus) and approximately 10 miles from the Portland International Jetport. There is no public transit to or from the Maine Correctional Center.  Upon request, a phone will be available for visitors to arrange rides and in addition staff will provide visitors with information on taxi services.

    • From points north of Exit 63 of the Maine Turnpike - get off at Exit 63, turn left onto US Route 202 west, follow 202 west for approx. 12 miles; at the traffic light (River Road and 202) turn left and take the second right.
    • From points south of Exit 48 of the Maine Turnpike, go straight off Exit 48 to McDonald's, turn right, drive approx. 4.5 miles and turn left onto Mallison Falls Road.
    • From Downeast Maine, follow I-95 south from Brunswick to Exit 52 of the turnpike, get on the Maine Turnpike at Exit 52, follow it south to Exit 48 and follow the above directions.
    • From Sanford-Springvale area, follow US Route 202 east through the town of Gorham, approx. 5 miles east of Gorham turn right at the Little Falls Recreation area, cross State Route 237 and we are at the top of the hill.
    • From the Route 302 corridor, follow 302 north or south to junction of US Route 202, follow 202 west to the traffic light, turn left onto River Road, take the second right onto Mallison Falls Road.

    Link for directions
     

  18. WHAT ARE THE VISIT RULES?


     

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