Visiting Hours & Planning Your First Visit to Algoa Correctional Center
Your first visit to Algoa Correctional Center goes smoother when you know the exact session times and how entry works. Here's what you need to know about visiting hours and arrival rules before you head out.
Algoa Correctional Center holds visits on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Each day has two sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pick the session that gives you enough time to get there, park, and get in line without rushing.
Note: The Friday/Saturday/Sunday schedule and the two daily session times come from the Missouri DOC visiting-hours schedule for Algoa Correctional Center.
Don't show up hours early - visitors can arrive in the parking lot no earlier than 30 minutes before the session starts. Plan your drive accordingly. If you're cutting it close, build in a buffer for traffic so you're not walking in after things are already underway.
Entry is first-come, first-served. The order you arrive matters, especially on busy weekend days. Want the best shot at getting processed quickly? Be there right when that 30-minute arrival window opens.
Parking rule: No person or pet may remain in a vehicle on institutional grounds during visits - make childcare and pet-care plans ahead of time, and don’t count on someone waiting in the car.
Before you travel, confirm your loved one is currently at Algoa and that visits are happening that day. The Missouri DOC's Offender Web Search helps, but it has limits - don't rely on it alone if you're driving a long distance. I recommend double-checking as close to your visit date as possible so you don't arrive and find out plans have changed.
Practical Timing Tips
- ✓ Pick a session time first (9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.) so you can plan the rest of your day around it.
- ✓ Don’t arrive on the grounds more than 30 minutes before visiting starts.
- ✓ Treat entry like a line: visitors enter first-come, first-served.
- ✓ If you want less stress, aim for the start of your chosen session so you’re not racing the clock.
- Choose the session you’re targeting - pick either the morning or afternoon visiting session so you know exactly when you’re trying to get through the door.
- Time your arrival for the allowed window - you may arrive in the parking lot no earlier than 30 minutes before visiting starts.
- Get in line promptly - entry is first-come, first-served, so don’t assume you can stroll in mid-session and walk straight inside.
- Be ready to be processed in order - once you’re queued up, follow staff directions so you don’t lose your place.
Reminder: Don’t leave anyone - or any pet - in your vehicle while you’re on institutional grounds for a visit.
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