Before Your First Visit to WERDCC: A Complete Checklist for Vandalia, Missouri
Your first visit goes smoother when you plan ahead: know where to go, when to arrive, what ID to bring, and what clothing might get you turned away. Use this checklist to get ready for your visit at WERDCC in Vandalia.
Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) is located at 1101 East Highway 54, Vandalia, MO 63382.
Visits happen Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There's a morning session from 9:30 am–1:30 pm and an afternoon/evening session from 2:30 pm–6:30 pm. Different sessions are designated for different groups - general population versus treatment/diagnostic/TCU and no-contact visits. If you're visiting someone in treatment or diagnostic housing, some visits may be limited to immediate family only.
- ✓ Arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before visiting starts.
- ✓ Plan for first-come, first-served entry.
- ✓ Don’t leave anyone (or any pet) waiting in the vehicle on institutional grounds.
You must be pre-approved before visiting. Complete the Missouri Department of Corrections visiting application ahead of time - don't make the drive expecting to get in without an approved application on file.
ID Requirements
- ✓ Bring a valid photo ID, such as a current driver’s license.
- ✓ A Department of Revenue ID card is also acceptable.
- ✓ Ages 13–18: bring a current school photo ID that includes the visitor’s name.
- ✓ A valid federal or state government-issued ID also works.
Important: Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an authorized adult visitor, unless the visitor is married to the offender.
Dress Code
- ✓ Skip skirts, dresses, and shorts that are shorter than the top of the kneecap when standing.
- ✓ Don’t wear wrap-around or slit skirts or dresses.
- ✓ Avoid pants with holes or slits.
- ✓ Choose tops that fully cover the chest, cleavage, back, and stomach.
- ✓ Wear sleeves that cover the shoulders.
Headwear isn't allowed unless it's for verified religious purposes, and staff can search it. When in doubt, keep it simple and conservative. Getting turned away at the door is a rough way to start a visit.
Limited physical contact is allowed during visits. You can share one greeting embrace and one departing embrace, plus a brief kiss. Holding hands during the visit is permitted.
For families with young kids: Children age 6 and under may sit on the offender’s lap during the visit, unless the offender is a sex offender.
Infants Supplies
- ✓ One clear carry-all
- ✓ Six diapers
- ✓ One blanket
- ✓ Up to three clear plastic bottles of prepared infant beverage
Warning: Under Missouri statute 217.360, bringing drugs, alcoholic beverages, firearms, or other prohibited articles into a correctional facility can be a felony punishable by up to 15 years. Leave anything questionable at home or locked away before you arrive.
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