What to Bring (and Leave Behind) When Visiting David Wade Correctional Center

Keep it simple when visiting David Wade Correctional Center. Bring your picture ID, one car key or keyless device, and a small amount of change in a clear bag or small plastic container. Planning to buy food? Bring one credit or debit card. Lock everything else in your vehicle.

Bringing a small child? DWCC limits what you can carry in. You're allowed one diaper, one baby bottle or child's cup, one pacifier, and baby wipes - all in a see-through bag.

The rule is straightforward: if it's not on the allowed list, leave it in your car. That includes purses, handbags, and any extra personal items. Anything that could be treated as contraband - electronics, prohibited substances - definitely stays in the vehicle.

• ✓ Cell phones
• ✓ Pagers
• ✓ SIM cards
• ✓ Portable memory chips
• ✓ Batteries
• ✓ Chargers
• ✓ Cameras or other recording devices
• ✓ Controlled substances
• ✓ Alcoholic beverages
• ✓ Marijuana
• ✓ Tobacco and tobacco-related items

Electronics trip people up more than anything else. Cell phones and pagers are obvious no-gos, but the rule extends to items you might forget about: SIM cards, portable memory chips, batteries, chargers, cameras, and recording devices. If it connects, stores data, or records, assume it can't come in.

1. Do an “electronics sweep” before you leave home - make sure phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and similar items are not on you.
2. Clear out the small stuff - check for SIM cards, memory chips, spare batteries, and chargers that might be sitting in a purse, wallet, or pocket.
3. Lock it all in your vehicle - keep prohibited electronics out of the Visiting Room entirely, even if you think you won’t use them.
4. Double-check at the door - empty your pockets and look through anything you’re carrying before you enter.

Medication is a narrow exception. Only prescribed medication that's life-saving or life-sustaining is allowed, and you can only bring what you need for the duration of your visit. Let staff at the visiting desk know right when you check in.

If you’re 18 or older, you must present a photo ID at each visit. Accepted IDs include a state driver’s license, a state photo ID card, an active-duty military photo ID, or a passport.

Dress to blend in - not stand out. Clothing that resembles what imprisoned people wear isn't allowed. Same goes for anything that looks like correctional officer attire, including camouflage or blue BDU-style clothing. Sheer, transparent, or swimwear-style clothing won't pass either.

Expect screening when you arrive. All visitors - including minors - can be searched, along with their property and vehicle. Metal detectors, ion scanning equipment, and K-9 units may all be part of the process. Refuse a search and you won't be allowed in. If you refuse mid-visit, the visit ends.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Bring your acceptable photo ID if you’re 18 or older
• ✓ Carry in only what DWCC allows: one car key/keyless device, change in a see-through bag or small plastic container, and (if needed) one credit/debit card
• ✓ If you bring a small child, keep permitted baby items (one diaper, one bottle/child’s cup, one pacifier, and/or baby wipes) in a see-through bag
• ✓ If you have prescribed life-saving or life-sustaining medication, bring only what you need for the visit and tell staff at the visiting desk
• ✓ Dress conservatively and avoid prisoner-like clothing, camouflage/blue BDU-style clothing, sheer items, and swimwear
• ✓ Leave everything else in your vehicle

Do one last pocket check before you walk in. Phones, SIM cards, memory chips, chargers, batteries, and cameras are all prohibited. So are controlled substances, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco products. Screening can include searches, metal detectors, ion scanning, and K-9s - the less you bring, the faster you'll get through.