Visiting Rules at Algoa: Physical Contact, Dress Code, Visitor Counts, and Food Visit Limits

Physical contact during visits is limited to one embrace at the start, one at the end, and a brief kiss. That's it. Stick to those boundaries - going beyond them can get your visit cut short or affect future visiting privileges.

The dress code at Algoa prohibits clothing that's tight, excessively baggy, transparent, or revealing. Not sure if something will pass? Go with clothes that aren't sheer, don't cling, and don't hang extremely loose. Neat and comfortable wins.

Each visit allows a maximum of three visitors per offender. If you're coming as a group, count heads before you leave - showing up over the limit means someone sits out or the visit doesn't happen.

There's also an allowance for additional children, but Missouri DOC pages describe it two different ways. One says up to three extra visitors age 5 and under (on top of the three-visitor limit). Another says up to three extra visitors age 10 and under (for a total of six). Since the age cutoff isn't consistent, call the facility to confirm before you travel - especially if you're bringing kids and need an exact headcount.

Food Visits

• ✓ For an authorized (incentive) food visit, you may bring a total of four containers per visit.
• ✓ Containers for home-prepared or store-bought foods must be clear plastic only and no larger than 9 x 9 x 4 inches.

If you want the full, official visiting rules in writing, you can request them from the facility. They’re also posted in the visiting room, so you can review them there if you need to double-check a specific restriction.

If your visiting application is denied, you have 30 days to appeal. Send a letter to the Deputy Division Director of Adult Institutions at 2729 Plaza Drive, PO Box 236, Jefferson City, Missouri. One catch: the ZIP code appears as 65102 in some places and 65109 in others. Confirm the correct format before mailing to avoid delays.