What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) When You Visit Dixon Corrections Institution
At a Glance
- ✓ Bring only what you truly need - telecommunications and electronic items (like cell phones, pagers, SIM cards, portable memory chips, batteries, chargers, and cameras/recording devices) are contraband in visiting areas.
- ✓ If you must carry prescription medication, it has to be life-saving or life-sustaining, limited to the amount needed for the visit, and you must tell staff at the visiting desk you have it.
- ✓ If you’re visiting with an infant, you may bring: four diapers, two jars of vacuum-sealed baby food, two plastic bottles of milk or juice, one change of clothing, one baby blanket (max 48 inches), and one clear plastic bag of baby wipes.
- ✓ Don’t bring cash to hand to your loved one - visitors are prohibited from giving money directly; deposits must go through JPAY or other approved methods.
Note: Everyone entering is subject to search, including minors. Refuse a search and you'll be denied entry - or your visit will end early.
Leave your electronics at home or in the car. Dixon Corrections Institution treats telecommunications equipment as contraband in visiting areas. That means cell phones and pagers, obviously - but also items people forget about: SIM cards, portable memory chips, batteries, chargers, cameras, and recording devices. If it connects, stores data, or records anything, it can get your visit canceled before it starts.
Note: You'll be searched. Bring contraband or refuse a search, and you'll be turned away - or your visit will end on the spot.
Medication is the one exception, but it's narrow. Only life-saving or life-sustaining prescription medication is allowed, and only the amount you need for the visit itself - no extras "just in case." Let staff at the visiting desk know you have medication as soon as you arrive so they can handle it properly during check-in.
Tip: Keep prescription medication in its original labeled container so it’s easy to verify at the visiting desk when you declare it.
Infant Items Summary
- ✓ Four diapers
- ✓ Two jars of vacuum-sealed baby food
- ✓ Two plastic bottles of milk or juice
- ✓ One change of clothing
- ✓ One baby blanket (maximum width and length not to exceed 48 inches)
- ✓ One clear plastic bag of baby wipes
Pack infant supplies the way the facility requires. Everything except the baby blanket must fit in a single clear plastic container - a gallon-size zip-lock bag works well. These items will be searched like everything else you bring in.
Want to help with commissary or other expenses? Don't bring cash to hand over during the visit - that's not allowed. Instead, deposit funds to your loved one's account through JPAY or another approved method before or after your visit.
- Do a pocket-and-bag check before you leave - make sure you’re not carrying any telecommunications/electronic items that are considered contraband (phones, SIM cards, memory chips, batteries, chargers, cameras, or recording devices).
- Handle medication the right way - if you need life-saving or life-sustaining prescribed medication, bring only what you need for the visit and tell staff at the visiting desk you have it.
- Expect screening - visitors (including minors) can be searched, including with tools like metal detectors, ion scanning, and K-9s, so keep what you bring to a minimum.
Tip: Not sure if an unusual item will be allowed? Call the facility beforehand. For medication, bring the original labeled container and be ready to show it when you check in.
Expect screening - it's part of every visit at Dixon. All visitors, including minors, are subject to searches of their person, property, and vehicles. Staff may use metal detectors and ion scanning equipment. K-9 units may also be present, both during check-in and in the visiting room itself. Refuse a search at any point and you won't get in. If you refuse mid-visit, it ends immediately.
Closing and Resources
- ✓ Leave electronics and telecom items behind (phones, SIM cards, memory chips, batteries, chargers, cameras/recorders).
- ✓ If you need life-saving/life-sustaining prescription medication, bring only what you need for the visit and declare it at the visiting desk.
- ✓ If you’re bringing an infant, stick to the allowed list and pack items (except the blanket) together in a single clear plastic container.
- ✓ Don’t try to hand money to your loved one; use JPAY or other approved deposit methods.
- ✓ Be ready for searches (including metal detectors/ion scanning/K-9s); refusing a search can mean you’re turned away or your visit ends early.
- ✓ When in doubt about an item, contact the facility before you travel.
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