Editorial Policy

Last Updated: January 26, 2026

At DepartmentOfCorrections.org, we recognize that accurate information is not just a convenience—it is a necessity. For families navigating the legal system, a wrong phone number or outdated visitation rule can mean a missed visit or a lost connection with a loved one.

This policy outlines the rigorous standards we use to research, write, and verify every piece of content on our site.

1. Our “Human-First” Content Standard

In an age of automated content, we stand by a simple rule: Our guides are written by humans, for humans.

  • Original Research: We do not scrape data from other directories. Our writers visit the official government portals directly to source information.

  • No “Clickbait”: We do not use sensationalized headlines. Our goal is clarity and utility.

  • Tone: We write with empathy and neutrality. We understand that our readers are often going through stressful times, and we aim to provide instructions that are calm, clear, and judgment-free.

2. The Manual Verification Process

Before any guide is published, it undergoes a strict verification process to ensure accuracy. We do not rely on third-party aggregators.

Our 4-Step Fact-Checking Protocol:

  1. Source Identification: We locate the specific .gov domain for the facility (e.g., bop.gov, dc.state.fl.us).

  2. Data Extraction: We manually read the facility’s latest handbook or regulation PDF. We look for the “fine print” that automated tools miss—such as specific dress codes or mail restrictions.

  3. Link Testing: A broken link helps no one. We manually click every external link to ensure it leads to a live, working government page.

  4. Phone Verification: For high-traffic facilities, we periodically call the listed public numbers to verify they are active and route to the correct department.

3. Our “Screenshot Proof” Standard

Government websites frequently change their URLs or go offline for maintenance. To provide transparency and proof of our research:

  • We Capture Our Own Evidence: You will often see screenshots in our articles showing specific visitation hours or inmate search results.

  • Timestamped Accuracy: These screenshots serve as a digital record of exactly what the government website stated at the time of our review.

  • Visual Guides: We use these screenshots to create step-by-step visual tutorials, showing you exactly where to click on confusing government portals.

4. Managing Outdated Government Data

A major challenge in the corrections niche is that official government websites are often outdated themselves.

  • Conflicting Data: If a Sheriff’s website lists one visitation time but the official handbook lists another, we will note this discrepancy in our guide and advise you to call the facility.

  • Dead Links: If an official government link goes dead (404 Error), we do not just delete it. We attempt to find the new location of the page. If the page is permanently gone, we will link to the main agency contact page instead.

5. Corrections & Updates

We strive for 100% accuracy, but the prison system changes daily. We maintain an open channel for our community to help us keep data fresh.

  • User Reports: If you find an error on our site, please use our [Contact Form] to report it.

  • The “48-Hour Rule”: We pledge to investigate all user-reported inaccuracies within 48 business hours. If we confirm the data has changed, we will update the page immediately.

6. Advertising Independence

DepartmentOfCorrections.org is an independent entity.

  • Editorial Integrity: Our content is never influenced by advertisers. We do not accept payment to alter reviews of third-party services (such as bail bond agents or inmate calling services).

  • Clear Labeling: If a link is an affiliate link or an advertisement, it will be clearly disclosed. We do not disguise ads as editorial content.