Where to Park and What to Bring: First-Time Visitor Checklist for Bristol County
Your first visit goes smoother when you know exactly where to park and what to bring. Use this checklist before you leave the house.
Bristol County has more than one visiting location - double-check you're headed to the right one before you leave. The Dartmouth Correctional Complex is at 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747. The Ash Street Jail is at 226 Ash Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Not sure which facility? Call the Main Switchboard at (508) 995-6400.
Visiting a Dartmouth facility? Parking is limited to the visitor lot on the right side of the security booth as you enter. Watch for it when you pull in - turn right into the designated lot.
Parking warning (Ash Street): Visitors to the Ash Street facility are limited to on-street parking, and vehicles parked improperly will be towed.
Bring ID for everyone entering - this is one of the most common reasons people get turned away. You'll need a current, valid government-issued photo ID. Minors must have a birth certificate. Attorneys and legal representatives need valid bar cards.
- ✓ Approved Minor Request to Visit form (required each visit)
- ✓ Minor’s birth certificate (required each visit)
Can't bring personal items into the visiting area? Lockers are available for a small fee, which you get back when you return the key.
Waiting rule: You’re permitted to wait up to 30 minutes inside your vehicle or in the Security Reception Area. Loitering before or after a visit is prohibited.
Bringing an infant? Pack light. You can bring a lightweight receiving blanket, a pacifier, and a plastic feeding bottle - but no diaper bag.
Quick Checklist
- ✓ Valid, current government-issued photo ID for each adult visitor (attorneys/legal reps: valid bar card)
- ✓ If a minor is visiting: approved Minor Request to Visit form + the minor’s birth certificate
- ✓ Confirm the correct location before you leave: Dartmouth Correctional Complex (400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747) or Ash Street Jail (226 Ash Street, New Bedford, MA 02740); Main Switchboard (508) 995-6400
- ✓ Parking plan: Dartmouth visits use the Visitor lot to the right of the security booth; Ash Street visits use on-street parking (improperly parked vehicles can be towed)
- ✓ Small fee for a locker if you need to store personal items (reimbursed when you return the key)
- ✓ If bringing an infant: lightweight receiving blanket, pacifier, and plastic feeding bottle only - no diaper bag
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