Before Your First Visit to NWSCF: A practical checklist (ID, timing, screening, and rules)
Your first visit to Northwest State Corrections Facility (NWSCF) goes smoother when you plan for the things that get people turned away: not being on the approved list, ID mismatches, arriving too late, or problems at security. Use this checklist to get through check-in and spend your time focused on your loved one.
Before you make the trip, confirm you're on the inmate's approved visiting list. Each inmate can have up to ten people on that list, and it can't include any victims of the inmate's charge or offense. Not sure if you're on it? Get that sorted first. Showing up and hoping it works out is a common way to lose a visiting day.
- ✓ Bring a government-issued photo ID.
- ✓ Make sure the name and address on your ID match what’s on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
- ✓ If your name or address has changed (or doesn’t line up for any reason), be ready to explain the discrepancy clearly and satisfactorily at check-in.
Timing matters. If you arrive 30 minutes or less before the end of a visiting period, you won't be processed. Plan to get there earlier than you think - enough time for ID checks, signing in, and security screening. Otherwise, you could be turned away just because the clock ran out.
- Report to the visiting reception desk - Go to the facility’s visiting reception desk on the scheduled visiting day.
- Present your photo ID - Staff use your government photo ID to confirm you’re the person listed on the approved visitor list (including verifying the name and address).
- Sign the Visitor Registration Log - Your visit isn’t officially checked in until you’ve signed the Visitor Registration Log.
Every visitor clears security screening before entering the visiting room. At NWSCF, that means walking through a metal detector. If it alarms, staff may ask you to remove outer clothing, belts, or shoes and try again. Still setting it off? They may offer a hand-held detector instead. When the detectors can't resolve the issue, pat searches may be used.
Most visits at NWSCF are contact visits - you'll be in the same space as your loved one, not separated by a barrier (unless an exception applies). Keep your group small: no more than three visitors can see an inmate at one time. Visits have a hard time limit of two hours. During busy periods, staff may keep things moving so others get their turn. If you're traveling a long distance, factor that cap into your plans so expectations stay realistic.
- ✓ Do not bring tobacco products into the facility.
- ✓ Do not convey anything to an inmate during the visit, including money, jewelry, photographs, or papers.
Reminder: Don't pass any items to an inmate during the visit - not even photos, papers, or jewelry. And if your ID name or address doesn't match the approved list, expect questions during check-in.
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