Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Visitation

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home) for Illinois DOC Visits

A little prep goes a long way when visiting an Illinois DOC facility. This checklist covers what to bring, what to leave behind, and where your belongings go while you're inside.

• 2 min read • idoc.illinois.gov
What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home) for Illinois DOC Visits

Bring two forms of identification for every adult visitor. One of those IDs must be a current state-issued photo ID.

First-time adult visitors (18+) need to complete a Prospective Visitor's Interview form (DOC 0148). Already have electronic approval through the PVI process? You can skip this step. Legal visitors and government officials are exempt.

Electronics aren't allowed in the Visiting Room - that includes cell phones, tablets, and smart watches. Leave them at home or locked in your car.

  • ✓ Food
  • ✓ Drink
  • ✓ Smoking materials
  • ✓ Currency
  • ✓ Packages
  • ✓ Purses
  • ✓ Bags
  • ✓ Books
  • ✓ Magazines
  • ✓ Sunglasses
  • ✓ Personal keys

Some facilities have small lockers where you can store prohibited items at no charge. Just know the facility isn't responsible for anything you leave there.

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home) for Illinois DOC Visits

Don't bring pills or medication into the Visiting Room. The only exceptions: physician-prescribed heart medication and an asthma inhaler.

If you need physician-prescribed heart medication during a visit, it has to be in a properly labeled container. Staff will store it at the officer’s desk in the Visiting Room.

  1. Secure your insulin syringes at the Visiting Center - they must be held there, and staff should be notified.
  2. Return to the Visiting Center if you need an injection - you’re allowed to go back for the purpose of administering insulin.
  3. Take syringes with you when your visit ends - syringes must be removed from the facility at the end of the visit.

Be ready for searches. You, your vehicle, and your belongings can all be searched - refusing means your visit gets denied and future privileges may be suspended. Show up intoxicated or under the influence, and you won't get in at all.

All visitors, vehicles, and belongings are subject to search. Refuse, and your visit will be denied - your visiting privileges may also be suspended or restricted.

No entry if you’re under the influence: Visitors who are intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted into the facility.

Find an Inmate at Lawrence Corrections Center, IL

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from Lawrence Corrections Center, IL

Before Your First Visit to an Illinois DOC Facility: IDs, forms, and timing checklist

Your first visit to an Illinois DOC facility goes smoother when you handle paperwork early, bring the right ID, and plan for check-in time. This checklist helps you avoid the most common reasons people get turned away at the door.

Getting on the Approved Call List at Lawrence Correctional Center

Waiting on a phone call from someone at Lawrence Correctional Center? First, your number needs to be on their approved calling list. Once you're approved, knowing the caller ID and how call blocking works will help you avoid missed calls and confusion.

How Illinois DOC Handles Your Mail Now: The New Scanning Process Explained

If you're used to sending letters and photos through the mail, Illinois DOC's process works differently now. For most non-privileged mail, your loved one won't receive the original paper - they'll see a color-scanned PDF on their tablet instead.