What to do before your first visit to Rensselaer County Jail (60‑minute check‑in checklist)
Your first visit goes a lot smoother when you plan for check-in, screening, and what you can (and can’t) bring into the visitation area. Use this 60‑minute checklist to avoid getting turned away for something preventable.
At Rensselaer County Jail, you need to be completely checked in 60 minutes before your scheduled visit starts. That’s not “arrive at the parking lot” time - it’s fully processed. If you show up late, you won’t be admitted for that visitation period.
Part of being “checked in” is completing the facility visitors log. Be ready to write down your name and address, the date, your time of entry, the inmate’s name, and your time of exit. Build a few extra minutes into your arrival time so you’re not rushing through this step.
Visits are appointment-based, and the appointment has to be made by the inmate through the jail’s normal visitation request process. If you’re trying to confirm a visit, start by checking with your loved one about whether they’ve put in the request and what time you’re expected to arrive.
What to Bring
- ✓ Your name (for the visitors log)
- ✓ Your current address (for the visitors log)
- ✓ The date (for the visitors log)
- ✓ Your time of entry (for the visitors log)
- ✓ The inmate’s name (for the visitors log)
- ✓ Your time of exit (you’ll record this when you leave)
- ✓ A valid photo ID (so you’re ready for the front desk and check-in)
Note: Don’t bring valuables you don’t need. Personal property has to go into the public lockers in the Visitation Lobby area.
Travel light. The jail requires visitors to store personal property - money, wallets, purses - in public lockers in the Visitation Lobby. Leave what you can at home or in your car; check-in goes faster that way.
Nothing electronic goes into the visitation area - no radios, tape recorders, or other electronic devices. Also, don’t plan on handing anything to your loved one during the visit. The jail does not allow items (including photos) to be passed between visitors and inmates.
Dress Code
- ✓ Short shorts
- ✓ Mini-skirts
- ✓ Tube tops
- ✓ Tank tops
- ✓ Low-cut tops
- ✓ See-through fabrics
- ✓ Hats or headgear
- ✓ Hooded clothing
- ✓ Coats and jackets
- ✓ Swimwear (including bikinis, etc.)
Expect screening as part of the routine. Visitors are required to be screened by electronic devices before the visit and again after visitation. That’s another reason the 60‑minute check-in window matters - screening takes time, and the line can move slower than you expect.
Note: Staff may ask you to consent to a pat-down frisk if they have legitimate suspicion during processing or the visit itself.
Leave photos out of your pockets and out of your bag - photographs aren’t allowed in the visitation area. If you want your loved one to receive pictures, they can only be sent through the mail, not handed over during a visit. More broadly, no items may be passed between visitors and inmates.
Once you’re in, keep your visit calm and by-the-rules. You and the inmate are required to remain seated during visitation, and you’ll need to follow staff directions throughout the visit. Personal contact is limited - anything beyond what’s allowed can end the visit.
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