What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) for Visiting at SBWCC Unit 1
A little prep saves a lot of frustration at the door. Here's what SBWCC Unit 1 allows in the visiting room, what's prohibited, and why they enforce these rules so strictly.
SBWCC does not allow paper money in visiting rooms. If you show up with cash bills for the vending machines, plan to leave it secured elsewhere before you enter the visiting area.
Want to use the vending machines during your visit? SBWCC allows coins, but they must be in a clear plastic bag. You can also pay with a debit or credit card if the machines accept them, which is often simpler than dealing with change.
Bringing contraband into SBWCC is a crime under Idaho Code. The facility is clear about what qualifies: tobacco, cell phones (or other telecommunication equipment), controlled or illegal substances, firearms or other dangerous weapons, ammunition or explosives, and escape tools or devices. If you're carrying any of these items, even accidentally, leave them in your car.
Penalty reminder: SBWCC states that contraband violations can be punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.
Expect screening at the door. Staff can search any visitor or item entering the visiting area to enforce Idaho law against introducing or possessing contraband (Idaho Code 18-2510).
These searches target contraband like tobacco, cell phones, controlled or illegal substances, firearms and other weapons, ammunition or explosives, and escape tools. The stakes are serious: violations can carry up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.
Practical Checklist
- ✓ Coins in a clear plastic bag (for vending)
- ✓ A debit or credit card (for vending, if applicable)
- ✓ Leave paper money behind (no bills allowed in visiting rooms)
- ✓ Leave tobacco behind
- ✓ Leave cell phones and other telecommunication equipment behind
- ✓ Leave controlled or illegal substances behind
- ✓ Leave firearms or other dangerous weapons behind
- ✓ Leave ammunition, explosives, and anything that could be used as an escape tool or device behind
Before you travel: Complete the visiting application process first. Visiting at SBWCC takes place in Unit 1. Schedules can change due to emergency situations, so confirm details before you go.
Not sure if something counts as contraband? Verify first rather than risk being turned away. Call SBWCC at 208-334-2731. The warden is Dagoberto Martinez.
- Complete the visiting application process - You must be approved before you can visit SBWCC.
- Confirm what you can bring into Unit 1 - Rules are enforced at the door, and staff may search visitors and items entering the visiting area.
- Arrive with only permitted funds for vending - Bring coins in a clear plastic bag, or a debit or credit card (if applicable). Leave paper money behind.
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