Before Your First Visit to Natchitoches Parish Detention Center: Registration & Check‑In Rules
Your first visit goes smoother when you know what staff will ask for at the door and what to leave behind. Follow the steps and checklists below to avoid delays—or getting turned away—at Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
Visitation is a privilege, not a right. If you or the person you're visiting breaks the rules, the facility can restrict, deny, or suspend visits.
Before you make the trip, confirm you're on the approved visiting list. Staff can turn you away if you're not. Not sure? Check with the person you're visiting ahead of time.
When you arrive, you'll register with staff before entering the visiting area. Plan for this step - check-in is mandatory, and there's no way around it.
- Go to the visiting desk first - registration happens before you enter the visiting area.
- Show your picture ID (if you’re 18+) - adults are required to present photo identification each time they visit.
- Register as directed by staff - follow the instructions you’re given so your visit can be cleared without delays.
Prohibited Items and Belongings
- ✓ Wallet
- ✓ Purse
- ✓ Cash
- ✓ Any other prohibited items or personal possessions
Keep it simple: if it's prohibited or you don't need it for the visit, leave it locked in your car. Bringing the wrong items slows down check-in and can cost you the visit entirely.
Bringing a child? Supervision rules are strict. Anyone under 18 must stay with their parent or legal guardian the entire time on facility grounds. Children cannot be left alone at any point.
- ✓ Keep minors with their parent or legal guardian the entire time you’re on facility grounds
- ✓ Don’t leave a child alone anywhere on the property (including while you’re trying to check in)
Medication rules are strict. Only prescribed life-saving or life-sustaining medication is allowed, and you can only bring enough for the duration of the visit.
- Bring only what you need for the visit - medication must be limited to the quantity required for the duration of the visit.
- Tell staff at the visiting desk - during registration, let staff know you have prescribed life-saving or life-sustaining medication.
- Follow staff instructions - once you’ve disclosed it, do what staff directs so you can continue the check-in process.
Denial and Suspension Reasons
- ✓ Not following visitation rules (visits can be restricted, denied, or suspended)
- ✓ Arriving when you’re not approved to visit (not on the approved visiting list)
- ✓ Bringing prohibited items or personal possessions instead of leaving them locked in your vehicle
- ✓ Bringing minors without a parent/legal guardian, or leaving children alone on facility grounds
- ✓ Having life-saving/life-sustaining medication but not advising staff at the visiting desk
Want the full visitation rules in writing? Ask the facility for the Department's visitation regulation (OP-C-9). Having the official policy can clear up questions before you show up.
Quick Arrival Checklist
- ✓ Register with staff before entering the visiting area
- ✓ If you’re 18+, bring picture ID for check-in
- ✓ Leave prohibited items and personal possessions (wallet, purse, cash, etc.) locked in your vehicle for the duration of the visit
- ✓ If you have prescribed life-saving or life-sustaining medication, bring only the amount needed for the visit and tell staff at the visiting desk
Find an Inmate at Natchitoches Parish Detention Center
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
