What Happens If You Break the Rules During a Visit at Bedford County Jail

Attempting to bring contraband into Bedford County Correctional Facility carries consequences far beyond a cancelled visit. The facility's policy is clear: visits introducing contraband into the facility can and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This isn't treated as a minor mistake. It can become a criminal case.

Keep your voice and behavior under control. Any loud or abusive language or behavior will end the visit, even if everything else has been going fine. If emotions start running high, pause and lower your voice. It's better to take a breath than lose the rest of your time together.

Have your identification ready. If you refuse to show proper identification, your visit may be terminated. This is one of the fastest ways to get turned away, so bring your ID or driver's license and keep it accessible at check-in.

Appearing under the influence of drugs or alcohol can get your visit terminated. If there's any chance something you took could make you seem impaired, reschedule. It's better than driving all the way there just to be turned away.

Contraband is the biggest legal risk during visitation. Bedford County Correctional Facility states that introducing contraband can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The policy specifically bans weapons and drugs, but also everyday items people sometimes forget are a problem in a secure setting: cell phones, lighters, and tobacco products.

Plan to visit without a bag. Visitors are not permitted to bring bags into the facility, including purses and diaper bags. Pare down your essentials ahead of time so you're not stuck at the door figuring out what to leave behind.

Even if a visit isn't ended right away, your behavior can affect future visits. The facility's policy says visitors who are disrespectful to staff, fail to follow direction, use abusive language, or become disruptive can have visitation privileges suspended for a period of time and/or indefinitely. One argument or disruption can mean weeks, months, or longer without visits.

Avoid Visit End Tips

• ✓ Bring identification or a driver’s license for check-in.
• ✓ Do not try to check in early. Visitors may check in up to five minutes prior to the scheduled visitation time.

• ✓ Do not bring a cell phone into the facility.
• ✓ Do not bring lighters or tobacco products into the facility.
• ✓ Do not bring bags into the facility (including purses or diaper bags).

• ✓ Avoid loud or abusive language or behavior, it can end your visit.
• ✓ Do not arrive if you may appear under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• ✓ Follow staff directions and keep interactions respectful so you do not risk a suspension of your visitation privileges.

Plan your arrival with parking in mind. There's no waiting area inside the facility, so anyone who isn't going into the visitation room will need to wait in the vehicle. If you leave your car unattended on facility grounds, the policy requires it to be locked with windows up.