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Visitation

What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) for Your First Visit to a Virginia Prison

Your first visit goes much smoother when you show up early, bring the right ID, and dress within the rules. Use this as a quick packing and outfit check so you don't get turned away at the door.

• 2 min read Verified from official sources

Plan to arrive one hour before your scheduled visit. The Virginia Department of Corrections recommends this buffer to give you enough time for security screening and check-in. Show up too close to your start time and delays can cut into your visit, or keep you from getting in at all. Aim to be parked, settled, and ready to walk inside with your ID in hand.

Bring at least one valid, government-issued photo ID. Make sure it matches the information on your visitation application exactly. Staff compare your ID to what's on file, and even small differences can cause problems. A driver's license, military ID, or other official photo ID from a federal or state agency all work. Traveling from outside the U.S.? A passport is typically acceptable.

The dress code is strictly enforced. Your clothing must cover from your neck to your kneecaps, and you need to wear appropriate underwear. Footwear is required at all times. Not sure about an outfit? Go with the more conservative option. It's much easier to adjust your plans at home than to scramble in the parking lot after being turned away.

  • ✓ Tube tops, tank tops, or halter tops
  • ✓ Clothing that exposes your midriff, side, or back
  • ✓ Mini-skirts, mini-dresses, shorts, skorts, or culottes that are at or above the kneecap
  • ✓ Form-fitting clothing such as leotards, spandex, and leggings
  • ✓ See-through clothing
  • ✓ Tops or dresses with revealing necklines and/or excessive splits

Note: Clothing with inappropriate language or graphics is not allowed. This includes gang symbols, racist comments, and other offensive or inflammatory messages.

Leave food and drinks in the car. VADOC also notes there's no access to vending machines, so eat and hydrate before you arrive. Before you travel, check your specific facility's visiting instructions for anything else that needs to stay behind (especially items you might normally carry every day). The less you bring, the faster check-in goes.

Printer-ready-checklist

  • ✓ Valid, government-issued photo ID that matches your visitation application
  • ✓ Arrive one hour before your scheduled visit time for security screening
  • ✓ Outfit that meets the dress code (covered neck to kneecaps, underwear, and footwear)
  • ✓ No food or drinks
  • ✓ Bring only what you truly need, and confirm your scheduled visit time before you leave home

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