Photo ID & What You Can Bring When Visiting Someone in a Louisiana Prison (What to know before visiting LCIW)
Getting ready to visit someone in Louisiana custody? Two things tend to trip people up: photo ID rules and what you're allowed to carry past the front desk. Here's the statewide ID guidance, plus real examples from Louisiana prison visitation pages so you can pack light and avoid being turned away.
At Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (DPS&C) facilities, visitors 18 or older need to show a valid photo ID every time. The statewide guidance accepts these forms: a valid driver's license, a valid state photo ID card, a valid active-duty military photo ID, or a valid passport. LCIW typically follows DPS&C guidance. That said, it's still smart to confirm the current ID requirement before you travel, especially if your ID is damaged, recently renewed, or otherwise out of the ordinary.
Typical Small Items
- ✓ (DWCC example) Picture ID only
- ✓ (DWCC example) One car key or one keyless device
- ✓ (DWCC example) Change in a see-through bag or small plastic container
- ✓ (DCI example) Vehicle keys
- ✓ (DCI example) Picture identification
- ✓ (DCI example) Cash money for vending machines or ticket machines
- ✓ (DCI example) One credit or debit card for use in a JPAY kiosk machine
- ✓ (ALC example) One unopened pack of cigarettes and a lighter
- ✓ (ALC example) No money is allowed in the visiting shed; money not used to purchase tickets or a Zip Key must be returned to your vehicle
Note: The item lists above are examples from other Louisiana facilities. Rules can look very different from one prison to the next. Before you visit LCIW, confirm what you can carry inside so you don't end up walking back to your car or losing property.
Dress codes and "no-go" items can be just as strict as the ID check. David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC), for example, specifically bars hats and other head coverings, including bows, ribbons, clips, and scarves. DWCC also prohibits visitors from wearing watches. Even small accessories can stop a visit. Check LCIW's current dress rules before you leave home so you don't waste a trip.
Tip: If you're unsure what LCIW will allow, dress conservatively and keep accessories to a minimum. Facilities enforce different standards, and what works at one prison may get you turned away at another.
- Check LCIW’s current visitation rules by looking them up or calling before you drive out.
- Confirm your photo ID is one of the accepted types and is valid.
- Ask what you can carry inside (keys, money, cards, baby items, and anything else you planned to bring).
- Double-check dress code details so you do not get turned away for an accessory or clothing choice.
- Bring only what is explicitly allowed and leave everything else secured in your vehicle.
Why this matters: Louisiana facilities don't all allow the same items in the visiting area. Checking LCIW's current rules ahead of time helps you avoid denied entry, delays at check-in, or having to surrender your belongings.
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