Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility

The Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison for male inmates ages 18 through 24. They are considered youth offenders, but have been committed to the Wisconsin DOC through the adult courts. This facility is located in Racine, Wisconsin, and can house 900 inmates.

RYOCF is the first major Wisconsin prison located in the heart of an urban area. It was also the first that was designed specifically for a certain age group classified as medium-security. This prison has two housing units, both with 120 cells that can house 450 inmates. There is also a Restricted Housing Unit (RHU) that can house a maximum of 27 inmates.

The average age of inmates at RYOCF is 21, and the majority have two years or less remaining on their sentence.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility are: 

Monday - Friday 3:00 PM — 8:30 PM
Weekends/Holidays 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM 

For all weekend visits, the process is as follows: Inmates with a DOC number ending in an even number may receive visits on the even number calendar day for the weekend. Inmates with a DOC number ending in an odd number may receive a visit on the odd number calendar day for the weekend.

                                                                                      General Population                        Restrictive Housing
Max Amount of Visiting Hours per Week               Nine Hours                                     Three Hours
Max Amount of Visits per Day                                  One                                                  One
Max Amount of Visits per Week                               Three                                               Three
Max Amount of Visitors per Visit Day                      12 (6 adults and 6 children)        Three (3) for one hour

One visitor must be an adult. All visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor’s list. No exceptions. The week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. 

Week day visits may last up to three hours for general population inmates. Weekend and Holiday general population visits may last up to two hours. 

Inmates may have only one visit on a weekend, holiday, or holiday weekend combination. Visits must begin 45 minutes prior to the end of visiting hours:  

Week Day – last visit begins at 7:45pm  
Weekend/Holiday – last visit begins at 2:45pm

General Visiting Rules

All visitors age sixteen (16) and older must have appropriate and valid picture identification. No expired identification will be accepted. All visitors, including minors, must be on the inmate’s approved visiting list. An adult, who is on the inmate’s approved visiting list, must accompany all minors unless the minor is the confirmed spouse of the inmate.

All visitors entering the institution will be stamped on the right hand with invisible ink. No visitor will be permitted to exit the institution until the lobby staff identifies his/her stamp. All visitors must clear the metal detector before being permitted to enter the facility. 

The following items are not permitted inside the visiting room: watches, wallets, purses, keys, diaper bags, ID’s, electronic paging devices, cameras, paper money, cell phones or food items. 

All articles not approved for entry into the visiting room must be placed in a locker located in the lobby. Lockers are operated with two quarters that are returned to you after returning the key to the locker. 

Visitors are allowed to take the following property into the visiting room after inspection by staff (at staff discretion, items may also be required to be viewed on the x-ray machine): 

• Up to $20 worth of coin money for use in the vending machines per visitor. A change machine is available in the lobby. 
• Comb, pick, or brush. Limited to one per visitor. 
• Up to two baby blankets per child.
• Up to four diapers per child. (Diaper bags are not allowed.) 
• Up to two plastic baby bottles per child. Bottles must be prepared in the lobby before entry to the visiting room is granted. 
• One hand-held baby seat per child. 
• Diaper wipes. Must be kept in a clear plastic bag. 
• One pacifier per child. 
• One institution locker key.

No cash or other personal items will be accepted by facility staff or left in the visiting area for inmates. Money may not be brought in during a visit to be deposited in an inmate’s account. 

Letters, photos, and legal papers cannot be brought in during visits. Exceptions may be made with prior written approval by a Security Supervisor during tax time for tax documents requiring the inmate’s signature. No other exceptions will be made. 

GENERAL VISITING RULES - RESTRICTIVE HOUSING

ALL Restrictive Housing visits are no-contact visits. They take place in the Visiting Room’s no-contact booths. The number of visitors allowed for ANY no-contact visit is limited to three. All visits are a maximum of 60 minutes.

Dress Code

RYOCF promotes a family friendly atmosphere and visitors should keep this in mind when selecting clothing to wear for their visit. All clothing must be worn in the manner in which it is intended. The following apparel/accessories are considered unacceptable and will result in the denial of a visit: 

• Watches of all types including smart watches 
• Any wearable items with internet/smart technology and/or electronic recording equipment in any form 
• Transparent clothing (thin white or light colored shirts) 
• Shorts shorter than fingertip length (visitor standing naturally with arms straight down the side of body and fingers extended) 
• Skirts or dresses shorter than fingertip length plus three inches
• Tops and dresses that are strapless, tube, tank, spaghetti-strap, and/or halter top 
• Tops and dresses that expose the midriff (front and/or back) and/or cleavage area 
• Spandex, spandex-like, Lycra or Lycra-like tights, leggings, and jeggings 
• Any clothing with the potential to cause undue attention 
• Underwear worn on the outside or exposed undergarments 
• Clothing with holes or tears including jeans and Jackets with partial holes 
• Clothing or accessories with obscene or profane writing, images or pictures
• Gang-related or club related clothing or insignia. This includes headwear, footwear, logos, or insignias. Motorcycle jackets bearing club logos. 
• Hats must be worn with brim facing straight forward at all-times 
• Pants must be pulled up at all times (no sagging) 

Footwear shall be worn at all times. Headwear/Hats are permitted. Acceptable attire must be worn at all times. Restrictions apply equally to men, women and children.

Video Visits

Every inmate at Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility is allowed to have one 45-minute video visit every two weeks. They are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis as space is limited. 

Visitors must have previously completed a Visitor Questionnaire and be on their inmate's approved visiting list. Prior to the video visiting starting the visitor/s will be required to show an approved form of identification. Children or minors will be allowed to visit as long as they are already on the approved visiting list. 

Visits can only be scheduled by emailing [email protected]. Visitors should include in their email request: Name/ date of birth / Inmate name and DOC# / 1st and 2nd choice of date and time of visit.

Visits will be scheduled to start on the hour (3:00, 4:00, 5:00 etc.) but will only be a maximum of 45 minutes in length. Visiting schedule is as follows Monday — Friday 3:00 PM — 8:00 PM and Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 9:00 AM — 3:00 PM.

Visits are conducted using ZOOM. It is suggested that visitors download the ZOOM app prior to the visit to ensure accessibility. The app can be downloaded on their computer, laptop, cell phone, or tablet. 

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Programming at RYOCF includes Sex Offender Treatment, Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, and Thinking for A Change.

Vocational opportunities include: Custodial, Masonry, Microcomputer Specialist Certificate, and C-Tech.

Pictures of Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility

Careers at Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility