What Happens If the Metal Detector Goes Off: Dutchess County Jail’s Screening Process
The screening process at Dutchess County Jail is strict but predictable. Here's what happens at the metal detector, what accommodations exist for medical devices, and what can get you turned away.
Every visitor at Dutchess County Jail must walk through the metal detector and clear it - no exceptions. You go through wearing your clothing and shoes, and the alarm can't sound. If you can't pass the scan, you won't be allowed into either the contact visit room or the booth for non-contact visits.
Have a medical implant or device that triggers metal detectors? There's a process for that. Submit documentation from your doctor confirming the appliance and stating that you can't pass through a metal detector. Once that's on file, staff will hand-scan you before each visit. The jail keeps your medical documentation on file for one year.
Watch your wardrobe: Clothing and accessories are the most common reason the metal detector goes off. Layered, ripped, orange, hooded, or tank-top clothing isn't permitted. Footwear rules are strict - no steel-toe boots or other metal supports, nothing above the ankle, and no open-toe shoes. Sneakers are strongly recommended. Jewelry is limited to a wedding band and/or a religious medallion no larger than two inches with a chain. Piercings aren't allowed.
Screening goes beyond the metal detector. Visitors are also subject to routine canine searches. If a dog alerts on you, you'll be denied entry and asked to leave the facility.
Note: When a canine alerts on a visitor, the zone supervisor is notified.
Bringing something that can't go inside? Lockers are available for prohibited items. Big one to plan for: cell phones aren't allowed in the facility, so secure yours before you go in.
Dutchess County Jail can deny entry based on impairment, not just prohibited items. If you appear intoxicated or under the influence - or smell like alcohol, marijuana, or any illegal drug - you won't be permitted into visitation. You'll be asked to leave immediately.
- Follow the direction to leave - if staff tells you to leave the facility, you’re expected to go.
- Expect law enforcement to be called if you refuse - refusal to leave results in local law enforcement being contacted.
- Know it can affect future visits - refusing to leave may also result in future visitation privileges being revoked.
5
- ✓ Bring doctor documentation if you have a medical appliance that prevents you from passing the metal detector; the note must state you can’t successfully pass, and you’ll be hand-scanned.
- ✓ Dress so you can clear the metal detector in your clothing and shoes.
- ✓ Avoid layered clothing, ripped clothing, orange clothing, hooded clothing, and tank tops.
- ✓ Wear footwear that won’t trigger screening: no metal supports (like steel-toe boots), no above-the-ankle footwear, and no open-toe shoes; sneakers are strongly recommended.
- ✓ Skip jewelry and piercings; the only jewelry allowed is a wedding band and/or a religious medallion no larger than two inches with a chain.
Don't forget: Use the lockers for anything that isn't permitted inside - especially your cell phone.
Find an Inmate at Dutchess County Jail
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
