How to Get on an Inmate’s Approved Visiting List at Sabine Parish Detention

To visit someone at Sabine Parish Detention, you need to be on that person's approved visiting list. Show up without being on the list, and you'll be turned away, even if you drove hours and brought everything you thought you needed. Visitation is a regulated privilege, not an open-door policy. The facility can place limits when needed for safety, security, or operational reasons. That's why the approved list step matters so much: it's the checkpoint most visits depend on.

The incarcerated person has to request that you be added to their approved visiting list. You can't put yourself on the list by showing up at the facility. When they submit the request, they'll need your basic identifying details so staff can review and match the right person. Expect them to ask you for your full legal name, date of birth, and your relationship to them.

After the incarcerated person requests to add you, the facility reviews the request under its visitation rules. Part of that review involves whether approving the visit fits with the jail's safety and security needs. Facilities can restrict visiting when there are legitimate reasons to do so, including concerns about supervision, stability, or security on facility grounds. A past conviction doesn't automatically disqualify you. That said, the nature of someone's criminal history can still matter if staff believe it creates a realistic risk to facility security. Two people with similar backgrounds can get different outcomes because the decision is tied to specific safety concerns, not just a checkbox.

If you're an ex-offender, or currently on probation or parole, that status alone doesn't automatically block you from being approved. In many cases, though, the approval process involves extra verification tied to your supervision. This is where delays often happen. Staff may need confirmation from a supervising officer, and the facility can still deny or remove a visitor when conditions aren't met or when security concerns outweigh approval. If this applies to you, being upfront about your current status and having any required supervisory approval ready can make the process smoother.

One timing issue catches families off guard: visitors aren't allowed while someone is in intake status, which is the first 30 days after they're placed into custody. If you were told "not yet," it may be because the person you want to see is still in that intake period. Even with that restriction, facilities can allow special visits or exceptions in certain circumstances, especially for immediate family. These decisions still hinge on safety and security. If intake is taking longer than expected, the incarcerated person can ask whether a special visit is possible under the facility's procedures.

1. Have the incarcerated person confirm the request was submitted. They are responsible for asking to add you to the approved visiting list, so the first step is making sure the request was actually put in with your correct information.
2. Address supervision-related requirements early. If you are an ex-offender, parolee, or probationer, you are not automatically disqualified, but your approval may depend on supervisory verification. Ask what documentation or sign-off is needed so the request does not stall.
3. Ask how decisions are communicated and what comes next. Denials or delays can be tied to safety, security, or other legitimate penological concerns. Have the incarcerated person ask how approval or denial will be delivered, and whether there is a way to correct information or request reconsideration.

Checklist Info

• ✓ Your full legal name
• ✓ Your date of birth
• ✓ Your current address
• ✓ Your relationship to the incarcerated person
• ✓ Whether you are an ex-offender, or currently on probation or parole (extra supervisory verification may be required)