What You Can and Can't Bring to a Visit at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola)
Visiting Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) goes smoother when you travel light. Most problems at the door come down to two things: electronics (and their accessories) and medications that don't meet facility rules.
At Angola, telecommunications and recording devices are treated as contraband - and that includes more than just phones. SIM cards, chargers, and storage media all fall under the same rule. If you're unsure whether something counts as "electronics," assume it does and leave it behind.
- ✓ Cell phones
- ✓ Pagers (including beepers)
- ✓ SIM cards
- ✓ Portable memory chips
- ✓ Batteries
- ✓ Chargers
- ✓ Cameras or other recording devices
- ✓ Any other telecommunications equipment or component hardware
Medication is one of the few areas where an exception exists, but the rules are tight. Only life-saving or life-sustaining prescribed medication is allowed, and you can only bring enough for the visit itself - no extras "just in case." If you depend on medication to stay safe during your visit, plan ahead so you're not stuck choosing between your health and getting through the door.
Note: Let staff at the visiting desk know you have medication before your visit begins. They'll handle it according to facility requirements.
Angola specifically lists telecommunications equipment and component hardware as contraband. This covers the obvious stuff like cellphones, but also accessories and parts that store data, power devices, or record audio and video. If it connects, charges, records, or holds memory, leave it out of the visiting area.
- ✓ Cellular phones
- ✓ Pagers/beepers
- ✓ SIM cards
- ✓ Portable memory chips
- ✓ Batteries
- ✓ Chargers
- ✓ Cameras or recording devices
- ✓ Other telecommunications equipment or component hardware
Tip: Leave phones and electronics at home or locked in your car. Bringing them to the entrance slows you down and could mean confiscation or a denied visit.
Everyday items can trip you up. Food, toiletries, and extra clothing are typically prohibited for visitors unless the facility has granted a specific exception. If you planned to bring anything beyond the basics, verify it's allowed before you go - otherwise you'll lose time at check-in.
- Tell the visiting desk staff right away - let them know you’re in possession of medication before you enter the visit.
- Bring only what you need for the visit - the facility limits medication quantity to the duration of the visit.
- Be ready to show it’s prescribed and necessary - staff may ask questions or check the medication as part of the process.
- Follow staff instructions for handling/inspection - don’t try to conceal medication or manage it outside the procedure they give you.
Even when statewide rules are clear, each facility runs visitation based on its own security needs. Before you leave home, confirm the current visiting requirements and any allowed exceptions. A quick call can save you from being turned away over something easily handled in advance.
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