Before Your First Visit to Northern State: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. You'll show it to the correctional officer at the visiting reception desk before you can proceed.

Start at the visiting reception desk when you arrive. You'll sign the Visitor Registration Log as part of check-in.

Expect airport-style screening. Everyone passes through a metal detector before entering the visiting area.

1. Step through the walk-through metal detector - you’ll need to clear it successfully before you can enter the visiting room.
2. Remove and hand over items that may be setting it off - if you can’t clear, staff will ask you to remove outer articles of clothing, belts, or footwear and submit those items for examination.
3. Follow staff direction for additional screening if needed - if you still can’t clear the walk-through detector, you may be given the opportunity to be checked with a hand-held metal detector to gain entrance.

Don't plan on handing anything to the person you're visiting. Northern State prohibits visitors from passing any items to inmates during visits - that includes money, jewelry, photographs, and papers. Leave those at home or use approved channels; trying to pass them in the visiting room won't work.

• ✓ Legal papers for an inmate to sign are the narrow exception - you may bring them only with the permission of the Superintendent or designee, so get approval ahead of time before you show up with documents.

Watch for posted signs as you enter. Northern State warns that visitors and vehicles are subject to search. Bringing weapons, drugs, or alcohol onto the property is a crime - and they will prosecute.

Dress conservatively. Northern State enforces the Department's Visitor Dress Code, and staff can turn you away at the door. Save anything questionable for another day.