Visiting Natchitoches Parish Detention Center: Who's Allowed, What to Bring, Search Rules, and What’s Prohibited
Visiting someone at Natchitoches Parish Detention Center goes smoother when you show up with the right ID, appropriate clothing, and nothing that'll get you turned away at the door. Here's what to expect under Louisiana DOC visitation rules: who can visit, what to bring, how searches work, and what's prohibited.
Visitation is a privilege, not a right. Louisiana DOC policy allows authorized visits when possible, but security comes first. Staff can restrict or end a visit if something threatens order or safety.
You need to be on the incarcerated person's approved visiting list. They're the ones who receive information on how to add visitors - so if you're unsure whether you're approved, ask them directly. Don't call the facility to check your status. The policy prohibits giving out visiting-list information over the phone, and showing up without approval means a wasted trip.
S3
- ✓ Valid driver’s license (from your state of residence)
- ✓ Valid state photo ID card (from your state of residence)
- ✓ Valid active-duty military photo ID
- ✓ Valid passport
Expect to be searched. All visitors - including children - can be searched, along with your property and vehicle. Screening goes beyond a quick pat-down. You'll likely pass through metal detectors, and facilities may use ion scanning equipment. Trained K-9s can also be part of the process, both before you enter and during the visit itself.
Refusal ends the visit: If you refuse a search at any point, you won’t be allowed to enter - and if you’re already visiting, the visit can be terminated.
S5
- ✓ Clothing that looks like incarcerated person clothing
- ✓ Clothing that looks like officer clothing (for example, camouflage or blue BDUs)
- ✓ Sheer or transparent clothing
- ✓ Swimsuits
- ✓ Strapless, tube, halter, or tank tops; strapless dresses
- ✓ Tops that expose your midriff
- ✓ Tight-fitting athletic pants/tights (spandex, lycra, stirrups, exercise tights, leotards)
- ✓ Skirts/shorts/dresses shorter than three inches above the kneecap, or with deep/revealing slits
- ✓ Undergarments that are visible or not worn
- ✓ Holes/tears in clothing higher than one inch above the kneecap
- ✓ Obscene/profane images or writing
- ✓ Gang/club-related clothing or insignia
- ✓ House slippers or shower shoes
- ✓ Hats or head coverings (unless required by your religious beliefs)
Bringing a child? Plan for hands-on supervision the entire time. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian on facility grounds. Children cannot be left alone at any point.
- ✓ Four diapers
- ✓ Two jars of vacuum-sealed baby food
- ✓ Two plastic bottles of milk or juice
- ✓ One change of clothing
- ✓ One baby blanket (maximum 48 inches by 48 inches)
- ✓ One clear plastic bag of baby wipes
- ✓ Pack everything except the blanket into one single clear plastic container (for example, a gallon-size zip-top bag)
- ✓ Expect every item to be searched
Only bring medication if it's prescribed and life-saving or life-sustaining - things like nitroglycerine pills, inhalers, or oxygen. Keep it limited to what you need for the visit, and tell staff at the visiting desk before you go in.
S8
- ✓ Controlled substances (including marijuana)
- ✓ Alcoholic beverages
- ✓ Tobacco and tobacco-related items
- ✓ Cell phones
- ✓ Cameras
- ✓ Video recording equipment
- ✓ Audio recording equipment
- ✓ Other electronic devices (including pagers)
Don't hand money to the incarcerated person during a visit. The policy explicitly prohibits this. To add funds to their account, Louisiana DOC facilities use JPAY. Options include mail, internet, telephone, kiosks at the facility, and MoneyGram locations. Use these approved methods instead of bringing cash.
For contact visits, physical contact is limited. You can hug and exchange a brief kiss at the start and end - quick, not lingering. During the visit, you can hold hands, but that's it. Excessive affection or sexual misconduct will end the visit immediately. Not everyone qualifies for contact visits. Some incarcerated people are restricted to non-contact visits, meaning no physical contact at all.
Visits with minors can be restricted: People convicted of sex crimes involving minors are generally not allowed to visit with any minor child (including their own) unless the warden approves a rare exception.
S10
- ✓ Confirm with the incarcerated person that you’re on their approved visiting list before you travel
- ✓ Bring a valid photo ID if you’re 18 or older (driver’s license, state ID, active-duty military ID, or passport)
- ✓ Dress to the posted standards (avoid uniform-like clothing, sheer items, exposed midriff, tight athletic pants, and too-short skirts/shorts)
- ✓ Leave prohibited items behind - especially phones, tobacco, alcohol, and any cameras or recording devices
- ✓ Be ready for searches of your person, property, and vehicle (metal detectors, ion scanning, and K-9s may be used)
- ✓ If you’re bringing an infant, pack only the allowed baby items and put everything except the blanket into one clear plastic container
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