What Happens If a Drug-Detection Dog Alerts During Your Visit to MCI Norfolk
You may encounter a passive drug-detection dog when entering MCI Norfolk. Knowing what to expect—and what happens if the dog alerts—helps you stay calm and make decisions quickly.
Massachusetts DOC uses passive drug-detection dogs at the entrance to secure facilities like MCI Norfolk. The dogs help prevent illegal drugs from getting inside, keeping conditions safer for staff, incarcerated people, and visitors.
If a dog alerts to you, staff will pull you out of line. Before you can continue with your visit, you'll be asked to consent to a search.
Refusing the search ends the visit: If you refuse to consent after an alert, you will not be allowed to visit and you must leave the facility.
If drugs are found, the consequences are immediate and serious. You'll be barred from visiting any DOC facility, and you may face criminal prosecution.
Beyond being turned away that day, you could lose visiting privileges entirely. If your privileges are suspended or revoked, you'll receive notice explaining the reason, how long the restriction lasts, and how to appeal.
How to Respond
- ✓ Step out of line when staff direct you to, and stay calm and respectful.
- ✓ If staff ask you to consent to a search, understand that this is the next step after a dog alert.
- ✓ If you’re unsure what’s happening, ask what the next step is and what you’re being asked to consent to.
- ✓ Know that refusing consent means you won’t be allowed to visit and you’ll have to leave the facility.
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