First Visit to Auburn Correctional Facility: A Practical Checklist (Visitor Hospitality Center, Lockers, and Safety Rules)

DOCCS encourages visits from family and friends - staying connected can be a positive influence during incarceration and after release. If you're nervous about your first trip to Auburn, that's normal. Having a simple plan (what to bring, what to store, what to expect at screening) takes a lot of the pressure off.

Quick Checklist

• ✓ Bring only what you truly need for the visit, since visits are subject to DOCCS safety rules and extra items can slow you down at screening.
• ✓ Bring whatever identification and paperwork the facility requires for entry (confirm the current requirements before you leave).
• ✓ Keep personal items minimal (think: essentials only), because many belongings will need to be stored before you enter.
• ✓ If you’re visiting with a baby, pack a small, focused set of diapering essentials and plan to use the baby changing station before you go inside.
• ✓ Leave anything questionable at home or secured elsewhere - if an item could violate DOCCS rules, don’t risk bringing it.

Before entering Auburn, you may have access to a DOCCS Visitor Hospitality Center. These centers give visiting families a place to rest and regroup before going through the facility's entry process.

The hospitality center is also where you can pick up practical visitation information in plain language. DOCCS provides materials about visitation rules, plus information on sending packages to incarcerated individuals - helpful if you want to support your loved one beyond the visit itself.

Driving a distance or traveling with kids? Restrooms are typically available at the Visitor Hospitality Center. Use them before heading into the facility so you're not rushing once check-in starts.

Lockers are available at DOCCS Visitor Hospitality Centers for storing personal belongings. I recommend arriving with as little as possible and using the locker for anything you can't bring through screening - especially valuables. Think of it like airport security: fewer items means a faster, calmer process.

1. Use the baby changing station before you enter - DOCCS Visitor Hospitality Centers provide a baby changing station, which is much easier than trying to manage a diaper change mid-process.
2. Pack baby supplies in a small, simple setup - bring only what you’ll actually use, so you’re not juggling extra items.
3. Store what you don’t need right away - if you have additional baby gear or personal belongings, plan to secure them before you head in so screening and check-in stay straightforward.

Security screening is part of every DOCCS visit. Give yourself extra time in case there's a line or your belongings need to be stored. Once inside, follow staff directions closely. Most first-visit problems happen when someone argues about a rule or tries to bring in items they should have left behind.

If the visit went well, jot down what you brought and what you ended up storing - it'll make next time easier. Your visits matter. They give your loved one steady motivation and connection to home, complementing the broader support DOCCS provides through education, vocational training, counseling, and treatment programs.

Verify

• ✓ Confirm whether Auburn’s Visitor Hospitality Center will be open when you arrive (hours can matter if you need lockers, restrooms, or the baby changing station).
• ✓ Ask where you should go first on arrival so you don’t waste time bouncing between entrances.
• ✓ Verify current ID requirements and who is approved to visit.
• ✓ Check whether you need to schedule ahead or follow a specific sign-in process.
• ✓ Ask about any temporary rule changes or restrictions that could affect what you can bring in or how visits are run.