What Visitors Should Expect About Prohibited Items (LA DOC rules) — Verify with Bossier Parish Jail
Want to avoid getting turned away at the door? Show up with as little as possible — and call Bossier Parish Jail beforehand to confirm exactly what they'll allow.
Louisiana's visitation rules aim for consistency, but each facility adapts them to its own security needs and physical setup. The same
- Check the current visitation guidance - Look for the most recent visitor rules and any special restrictions tied to security or space limits.
- Call ahead before your visit - Ask what items are allowed past the entrance and what will get you turned away.
- Confirm what happens to prohibited items - Find out whether you must leave items in your vehicle or if there’s any on-site storage available.
Doc Definition Contraband
- ✓ Cellular phones
- ✓ Pagers
- ✓ Beepers
- ✓ Subscriber identity module (SIM) cards
- ✓ Portable memory chips
- ✓ Batteries
- ✓ Chargers
- ✓ Cameras
- ✓ Recording devices
Under LA DOC rules,
Examples Confiscated
- ✓ Cell phones (even if powered off)
- ✓ Phone chargers and charging cables
- ✓ Extra batteries or battery packs
- ✓ SIM cards
- ✓ Portable memory chips
- ✓ Cameras (including small or compact cameras)
- ✓ Any recording device
Tip: Don't gamble with a "},{"block_ref":"sec_medication_exceptions/blk_med_rule","source_fingerprint":"6d6d93e37eed51eb24846cb554cd0724ddbc7ec702e4876c87cfcfcdce897841","polished_text":"LA DOC rules allow one narrow exception: prescribed medication that's life-saving or life-sustaining. You can only bring what you need for the visit itself. If it's not essential to keep you safe during that window, don't expect to carry it inside."},{ "block_ref":"sec_children_special_needs/blk_child_confirm_par","source_fingerprint":"b5537d387417933e1f5671bbe5abfd22b0aad55d6d4b9506aa23c7a09fa9b0f1","polished_text":"This is where local practice really matters. Each facility handles family visits based on what staff can safely screen and supervise that day. A quick call to Bossier Parish Jail before you leave can save you a wasted trip."}]}],
LA DOC rules allow one narrow exception: prescribed medication that's life-saving or life-sustaining. You can only bring what you need for the visit itself. If it's not essential to keep you safe during that window, don't expect to carry it inside.
- Bring only what you need for the visit - The allowed quantity is limited to what’s required for the duration of your visit.
- Keep it clearly identified - If possible, keep medication in its prescription container/packaging so it’s easy for staff to recognize.
- Tell staff before you go through - Declare the medication at the visiting desk instead of waiting for it to be discovered during screening.
Note: If you have permitted life-saving or life-sustaining medication, you still need to advise staff at the visiting desk that you have it.
Children Special Needs
- ✓ If you’re bringing a child or managing a special need, confirm ahead of time what essentials (if any) are allowed through screening.
- ✓ Do not assume exceptions apply to electronics: phones, SIM cards, memory chips, chargers, cameras, and recording devices are still considered contraband under LA DOC rules.
This is where local practice really matters. Each facility handles family visits based on what staff can safely screen and supervise that day. A quick call to Bossier Parish Jail before you leave can save you a wasted trip.
- Review Bossier Parish Jail’s visitor instructions - Look for any local restrictions tied to security or facility limits.
- Call to confirm prohibited vs. permitted items - Ask specifically about phones/electronics, cameras/recorders, and any small components like chargers or SIM cards.
- Ask how medication is handled at check-in - Confirm the process for declaring life-saving/life-sustaining prescriptions at the visiting desk.
- Plan your “leave it behind” strategy - Decide what stays locked in your vehicle so you’re not stuck at the entrance with prohibited items.
Reminder: LA DOC rules set a baseline, but local security and space limitations can change how visitation is handled. Declare permitted medication at the visiting desk, and don’t bring telecommunications equipment, chargers, cameras, or recording devices into the facility.
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