Visiting Checklist: What to Wear, What You Can Bring (Including for Babies), and What You Can't Bring to Louisiana Prisons
A little prep goes a long way. Use these checklists to get dressed right, pack correctly (babies included), and leave prohibited items at home.
1
- ✓ Register with staff before you go into the visiting area.
- ✓ Bring an accepted photo ID if you are 18+: valid state driver’s license, valid state photo ID, active duty military photo ID, or a passport.
- ✓ Do not hand money directly to an imprisoned person. Use JPay for deposits.
Tip: Give yourself extra time for registration and have your photo ID ready. Check-in moves faster when you can hand it over right away.
Louisiana DOC facilities enforce a dress code, and knowing the specifics will keep you from getting turned away at the door. Skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes, and dresses must have hems no shorter than three inches above the kneecap. Deep or revealing slits? Also not allowed. Tops trip up a lot of visitors. Strapless, tube, halter, and tank tops are all prohibited, along with strapless dresses. If your top exposes your midriff when you move around or sit down, pick something else.
- ✓ Skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes, and dresses are at least 3 inches above the kneecap or longer.
- ✓ No deep or revealing slits.
- ✓ No strapless, tube, or halter tops.
- ✓ No tank tops.
- ✓ No strapless dresses.
- ✓ No tops that expose the midriff.
Watch the borderline stuff: If a slit opens when you walk or a top rides up and shows your stomach, choose a different outfit. Staff check how clothing fits and moves, not just how it looks standing still.
3
- ✓ Controlled substances
- ✓ Alcoholic beverages
- ✓ Marijuana
- ✓ Tobacco and tobacco-related items
- ✓ Cameras
- ✓ Video or audio recording equipment
- ✓ Electronic devices (including cell phones and pagers)
Reminder: Never try to bring forbidden items into the visiting area, and never hand money directly to an incarcerated person. Use JPay for deposits instead.
Need medication during your visit? Louisiana DOC only allows prescribed medication that is life-saving or life-sustaining. Think nitroglycerine pills, inhalers, or oxygen. Bring only what you need for the length of your visit. When you arrive, let the staff at the visiting desk know you have medication with you.
- Bring only prescribed life-saving or life-sustaining medication. This is limited to items like nitroglycerine pills, inhalers, or oxygen.
- Pack only what you need for the visit. Medication is limited in quantity to what is required for the duration of the visit.
- Tell staff at the visiting desk. You must advise staff that you are in possession of the medication.
5
- ✓ Up to four diapers
- ✓ Up to two jars of vacuum-sealed baby food
- ✓ Up to two plastic bottles of milk or juice
- ✓ One change of clothing for the baby
- ✓ One baby blanket, maximum 48 inches by 48 inches
- ✓ One clear plastic bag of baby wipes
Tip: Stick to the quantities listed and keep baby supplies simple and easy to inspect. Not sure if something will pass? Call ahead before you pack.
6
- ✓ Register with staff before entering the visiting area.
- ✓ If you are 18+, bring one accepted photo ID (valid state driver’s license, valid state photo ID, active duty military photo ID, or passport).
- ✓ If you have prescribed life-saving or life-sustaining medication, bring only what you need for the visit and declare it at the visiting desk.
- ✓ If you are bringing an infant, pack only the permitted baby items and quantities.
- ✓ Leave behind anything forbidden in the visiting area (controlled substances, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco items, cameras, recording devices, and electronic devices like cell phones and pagers).
- ✓ Do not give money directly to an imprisoned person. Use JPay for deposits.
When in doubt, go simpler. If you are torn between two outfits or debating whether to bring something, choose the safer option. Arrive with time to spare for registration, and have your belongings sorted before you step up to the desk.
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