What You Can't Bring to a Visit at Ouachita Parish Jail: Contraband checklist (Louisiana rules)
Visiting someone at Ouachita Parish Jail goes smoother when you walk in with as little as possible. Under Louisiana visitation rules, extra cash (currency or coins over the amount the institution allows) counts as contraband. So do food items, toiletries, and clothing you're trying to bring in. Electronics cause problems too - leave your phone, cameras, SIM cards, chargers, and batteries in your vehicle. The one exception is prescribed medication that's life-saving or life-sustaining. Even then, you can only bring what you need for the length of the visit, and you must tell staff at the visiting desk that you have it.
- ✓ Currency/coins over the amount the institution allows
- ✓ Any food items
- ✓ Any toiletries
- ✓ Any clothing items you’re trying to bring in
- ✓ Cellular phones
- ✓ SIM cards
- ✓ Batteries
- ✓ Chargers
- ✓ Cameras or recording devices
- ✓ Only bring prescribed, life-saving or life-sustaining medication (if needed)
- ✓ Keep medication quantity to only what you need for the duration of the visit
- ✓ Tell staff at the visiting desk if you have medication
Louisiana's visitation rules cover a few categories that trip people up because they seem normal to carry: cash, snacks, personal care items, and extra clothing. Any currency or coin over the amount allowed by the institution is contraband - don't assume you can walk in with whatever's in your wallet or change cup. Food, toiletries, and clothing are also on the list. Gum, candy, a drink, lip balm, lotion, an extra jacket you planned to hand off - any of these can get you stopped at the door. If you're unsure whether something counts, leave it in the car before check-in.
Note: The rule isn’t “no cash” - it’s no currency or coins over the amount the institution allows. If you don’t know the limit, leave extra cash locked in your vehicle.
Phones and anything that supports calling, storage, charging, or recording are contraband during visitation. Louisiana's rules specifically name cellular phones and other telecommunications components - including SIM cards. But it's not just the phone itself. Batteries, chargers, cameras, and recording devices are all listed too. Before you head inside, do a quick pocket and bag check. Leave these items secured in your vehicle so you don't get turned away or have property confiscated.
- ✓ Cellular phone
- ✓ SIM card
- ✓ Batteries
- ✓ Chargers
- ✓ Cameras or recording devices
Note: If it records (camera/recorder) or connects (phone), don’t bring it into visitation. Leave it in the car before you go to the visiting area.
Medication is handled differently than most personal items, but the exception is narrow. Only prescribed medication that's life-saving or life-sustaining is permitted during visitation. You can't bring a full bottle "just in case" - the amount must be limited to what you need for the duration of the visit.
- Tell the visiting desk right away - if you have medication with you, advise institutional staff at the visiting desk before you proceed further.
Note: If you need prescribed, life-saving or life-sustaining medication, bring only what you’ll need for the visit and declare it at the visiting desk.
If you're on the fence about an item, treat it like contraband and leave it behind. Cash over the allowed amount and phones are the most common things people forget in pockets, purses, or bags. When you truly need to bring something (like approved medication), handle it the right way - tell staff at the visiting desk. Otherwise, keep it simple: empty your pockets, minimize what you carry, and lock questionable items in your vehicle.
- ✓ If you’re not sure it’s allowed, leave it in the car
- ✓ Double-check pockets and bags for cash over the allowed amount
- ✓ Don’t bring phones, cameras/recorders, or related accessories inside
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