What You Can and Can't Bring to a Visit at WCC: A Complete Checklist

The simplest way to avoid problems at the door: personal belongings do not go past the Public Lobby Area. Anything you bring needs to be locked in the coin-operated lockers in the Public Lobby or left in your vehicle. Do not try to bring in contraband. Visitors who attempt to introduce contraband (including drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, weapons, and similar items) can be arrested and criminally prosecuted. Beyond that, delivering any article to an inmate without permission of the Sheriff or Facility Administrator, or possessing it with intent to deliver, is a felony under Massachusetts law.

Dress code is a common reason people get turned away, so plan your outfit before you leave home. WCC does not allow bathing suits. Shorts or skirts above knee length will get you denied (knee-length is fine). No bare feet, sandals, or open-toe shoes either. Color and accessories matter too. All green clothing and all orange clothing are prohibited. For jewelry, a plain wedding band is the only piece explicitly permitted. Most other jewelry will not be allowed.

• ✓ Skip all-green outfits and all-orange outfits
• ✓ Wear shorts/skirts that are knee length (not above the knee)
• ✓ Choose closed-toe shoes (no bare feet, sandals, or open-toe shoes)
• ✓ Leave the bathing suit at home
• ✓ Keep jewelry to a plain wedding band only

Bring as little as possible. All personal belongings must go into the coin-operated lockers in the Public Lobby or stay in your vehicle. Nothing goes past the Public Lobby Area, so leave your everyday items behind.

• ✓ Coats
• ✓ Purses
• ✓ Money
• ✓ Jewelry (other than a plain wedding band)
• ✓ Cameras
• ✓ Beepers/pagers
• ✓ Radios
• ✓ Cell phones
• ✓ Personal keys
• ✓ Gum
• ✓ Candy
• ✓ Food
• ✓ Drinks

Every visitor has to clear the metal detector. If you can't clear it, staff will use a hand-held detector or a consensual pat search. You're free to leave instead of consenting to a pat search, but refusing any part of the screening means you won't be allowed in.

1. Go through the metal detector - you must pass through and clear it to enter.
2. Follow staff instructions if you cannot clear it - staff may use a hand-held metal detector or complete a consensual pat search.
3. Decide whether to consent to a pat search if asked - you may leave rather than submitting.
4. Understand the consequence of refusal - refusing any part of the search procedure results in being denied entrance.

Don't bring tobacco or smoking items onto WCC grounds. Smoking anywhere on the property is prohibited, and all tobacco products and smoking items (including lighters and matches) are treated as contraband. Attempting to introduce contraband into the facility can result in arrest and criminal prosecution.

Trying to bring items in for an inmate carries serious legal consequences. WCC states that visitors attempting to introduce contraband are subject to arrest and criminal prosecution. Under Massachusetts law, it is a felony to deliver any article to an inmate without permission of the Sheriff or Facility Administrator, or to procure it, possess it with intent to deliver it, or deposit or conceal it with the intent that an inmate will obtain it.

Day of Tips

• ✓ Wear clothes that are not all green and not all orange
• ✓ Keep shorts and skirts knee length (not above the knee)
• ✓ Wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals, open-toe shoes, or bare feet)
• ✓ Skip jewelry except for a plain wedding band
• ✓ Leave personal belongings in the Public Lobby coin-operated lockers or locked in your vehicle (do not bring them past the Public Lobby)
• ✓ Do not bring tobacco, lighters, or matches, they are treated as contraband
• ✓ Be ready to clear the metal detector, and follow staff directions if a hand-held scan or a consensual pat search is needed
• ✓ Do not refuse any part of the search procedure if you want to enter