What to Bring (and What to Leave Home) for Your First Visit to Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola)
Your first visit to Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) goes smoother when you pack light, bring the right ID, and arrive early. Here's a quick, facility-specific checklist.
Anyone 15 or older needs picture identification to visit Angola. The facility accepts a valid state-issued driver's license or ID card, plus passports, military IDs, law enforcement credentials, and college or school IDs. Forget your photo ID? You'll be turned away at the gate.
Visiting days are Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - but don't cut it close. The final bus to the visiting area leaves at 2:00 p.m. Miss that cutoff, and you'll lose your visit even if you're technically within visiting hours.
Keep it simple: bring only a wallet or small clutch purse, with no more than $300 in cash per family. If you're visiting with relatives, coordinate beforehand so you don't accidentally exceed the family limit. Leave everything else - extra cash, bulky bags, non-essentials - locked in your vehicle.
Note: All visitors (including minors) can be searched, along with vehicles and possessions. Pack with that in mind - bring only what you’re allowed to have and expect screening before you enter.
Infant Items
- ✓ Up to four diapers
- ✓ Two jars of vacuum-sealed baby food
- ✓ Two bottles of milk or juice
- ✓ One change of clothing
- ✓ One diaper bag
- ✓ One baby blanket (maximum width or length not to exceed 48 inches)
Bringing a diaper bag or baby supplies? Expect them to be searched like everything else. All visitors at Angola - including minors - are subject to searches of their vehicle, possessions, and person. Keep baby items limited to what's permitted and easy to inspect.
Warning: Do not bring (or try to send) a cell phone. Louisiana DOC warns that introducing a cellular telephone can lead to prosecution, a fine up to $2,000, and up to five years in prison.
Don't bring items you plan to hand off, and don't try to "drop off" anything during your visit. People incarcerated in Louisiana cannot receive packages, publications, greeting cards, or postcards directly from family. Those items must be ordered through the department's approved vendor, Union Supply Direct.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Park in the Front Gate parking lot (or other designated area) and lock your vehicle with windows up and keys removed
- ✓ Bring only a wallet or clutch purse, and keep cash to $300 or less per family
- ✓ Have your picture ID ready (required for visitors age 15 and up)
- Pick a visiting day - Angola visitation is Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Plan your drive for the cutoff - You must arrive before 2:00 p.m. because the bus makes its final departure to the visiting area(s) at that time.
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