First Visit to Mount Pleasant Correctional Center — Checklist: What to Bring, What to Leave Home, and What to Expect
Your first visit can feel overwhelming, but a little prep makes all the difference. This checklist covers scheduling, dress code, and what to expect at security—so you're not caught off guard at the door.
You'll need to use the Iowa DOC online scheduling system to book your visit. Available days and times vary, and the reservation system shows you exactly what's open for both in-person and video visits.
Mount Pleasant follows Iowa DOC clothing rules, and staff can turn you away if your outfit doesn't meet the standard. Dress simply and conservatively - don't lose your visit over something avoidable.
- ✓ Wear shoes - all visitors must have shoes on before entering the correctional setting.
- ✓ Leave miniskirts at home - visitors wearing miniskirts won’t be allowed to visit.
- ✓ Skip shorts that are above the knee - they can get you turned away.
- ✓ If you’re bringing a child under 12 in shorts, the institution’s procedure is what controls what’s allowed.
- ✓ Avoid muscle shirts, see-through clothing, and halter tops - these aren’t allowed for visits.
- ✓ Don’t wear clothing with slogans, pictures, or words meant to deprecate race, sex, or cultural values - you can be denied entry.
Expect to remove outerwear. Coats, hats, gloves, and sunglasses typically need to come off for the duration of the visit. If you need sunglasses for medical reasons, bring your prescription to verify.
You'll go through security screening when you arrive. This can include a pat down, metal detectors, electronic ion scanners, or visual searches. Refusing to follow the screening process means you won't be allowed into the visiting room.
Previsit Checklist
- ✓ Reserve your visit through the Iowa DOC online scheduling system (in-person and video times vary).
- ✓ Dress to pass the clothing rules: wear shoes; avoid miniskirts; don’t wear shorts above the knee; skip muscle shirts, see-through clothing, and halter tops.
- ✓ Choose neutral clothing without demeaning slogans or images (anything deprecating race, sex, or cultural values can get you denied).
- ✓ Leave anything that could complicate screening at home or secured away - you should expect searches that may include pat downs, metal detectors, ion scanners, other electronic devices, or visual searches.
- ✓ Build in extra time for the entrance process so screening doesn’t cut into your visit.
Heads-up: Refusing screening means no visit. Arrive with time to spare so the process doesn't eat into your time together.
For the latest facility-specific details, check the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility page on the Iowa DOC website. You'll find sections for About, Visitation, and Programs Offered - that's where visiting program information lives.
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