Can You Bring a Cell Phone or Camera? Electronics and Other Contraband at Avoyelles Parish Detention Center

Louisiana's visitation policy (OP-C-9) bans electronic devices from the visiting area. Cell phones and pagers are obvious no-gos, but the rule goes further than most people realize. SIM cards, portable memory chips, batteries, chargers - all prohibited. Cameras and recording devices make the list too. Basically, if it can store data, power a device, or capture audio or video, it counts as contraband.

The reasoning behind OP-C-9 comes down to security. Electronics create real risks: unauthorized communication, coordination with people outside the facility, and the ability to capture images or audio from a secure area. Related rules reinforce this - people in custody aren't allowed to use cell phones or social media, and the department encourages the public to report suspected violations.

Screening is part of every visit. All visitors - including minors - can be searched, along with their belongings and vehicles. Staff may use metal detectors and ion scanning equipment to detect prohibited items. Trained K-9s sometimes assist with searches too, both before you enter and during the visit itself.

S4

• ✓ Leave your cell phone and other electronic devices secured in your vehicle or off-site (don’t carry them toward the visiting area).
• ✓ Don’t bring cameras or any video/audio recording equipment.
• ✓ Empty pockets and bags for “small stuff” that still counts as contraband: SIM cards, portable memory chips, batteries, and chargers.
• ✓ Bring only the essentials you need for entry, like your government-issued photo ID and any required paperwork.

If you believe someone in custody is using a cell phone or social media, the department’s rule is clear: that activity is forbidden, and the public is asked to report suspected violations. When you report, be ready to share the person’s name and assigned location, and - if the concern is social media - any information that helps identify the page.