Your First In-Person Visit at Columbia County Prison: What to Bring, What Not to Bring, and Check‑In Steps

You must be on the resident's Visitation List to visit someone at Columbia County Prison. If your name isn't on the list, staff will turn you away.

If you're on probation or parole, you'll need written permission from the agency supervising you before you can visit. That permission has to specifically approve you to visit with the resident.

Previously released from Columbia County Prison? There's a six-month waiting period before you're allowed to visit a resident.

When you arrive, you'll need to sign the visitor log at the entrance. Budget a few extra minutes for this, especially if there's a line.

Anyone 17 or older must show valid photo ID at check-in. No valid photo ID? Expect to be turned away.

Every visitor goes through a search and metal detector screening before entering. It's similar to airport security, so plan accordingly.

Bring Vs Leave

• ✓ Valid photo ID (required for adults age 17 and over)

• ✓ Pictures, letters, mail, or any other items for the resident (residents are not permitted to receive items during visitation)

• ✓ Cell phones or other electronic devices (not permitted inside the facility)
• ✓ Any cell phone you still have on you once you are inside (you will be escorted out, and your visitation privileges may be revoked)

• ✓ Weapons of any kind (not permitted anywhere on prison property, including the parking lot)

Lockers are available in the visitation waiting room for coats and other items you can't bring into the visit. Stash your extras there so you don't have to juggle them during screening.

Each resident is allowed one face-to-face visit per week. If you're traveling from out of town, double-check that you're planning for the right week so you don't waste the trip.

Visits last 30 minutes. That time goes fast, so arrive prepared and handle any check-in details quickly. You don't want last-minute hiccups cutting into your visit.

Getting denied at the door usually comes down to something staff can't overlook. The most common reasons: being on probation or parole without written permission from your supervising agency, bringing a cell phone or other electronic device into the facility (getting caught with one inside can mean being escorted out and losing visiting privileges entirely), showing up under the influence or appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or having a weapon anywhere on prison property, including the parking lot.