What to Bring and Expect on Your First Illinois DOC Visit

Before you head out, make sure you're actually approved to visit. Adults 18 and older generally need to complete the Prospective Visitor's Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148) beforehand - unless you've already been approved through the electronic PVI process. Bring a current photo ID showing your date of birth. Keep it simple: IDOC doesn't allow phones, purses, keys, or cash in the Visiting Room, and staff can search you, your vehicle, and your belongings. Dress for a prison environment. Underwear is required, and revealing or inappropriate clothing can get you turned away at the door.

• ✓ Complete the Prospective Visitor’s Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148) ahead of time if you can (unless you already have electronic PVI approval)
• ✓ Bring a current photo ID that includes your date of birth (for example: driver’s license, state ID, passport, Visa, or Matricula)
• ✓ Dress to meet IDOC’s dress code (including required underwear; bras required for female visitors)
• ✓ Leave prohibited property out of the Visiting Room (especially phones/electronics, purses/bags, cash, and keys)
• ✓ Expect searches of visitors, vehicles, and property; refusing a search can cost you your visit

If you're 18 or older, you'll need to complete the Prospective Visitor's Interview (PVI) form (DOC 0148) before visiting. Legal visitors and government officials are exempt, and you can skip this step if you've already been approved through the electronic PVI process. Getting this done ahead of time means a faster first visit - you won't be stuck filling out forms at the front desk.

Bring current photo ID that shows your date of birth - staff will check it. A driver's license or state ID works. If you're not a U.S. citizen, you can use a current passport, Visa, or Matricula, as long as it includes your date of birth.

Prohibited Items

• ✓ Electronic devices (including cell phones or pagers)
• ✓ Food
• ✓ Drink
• ✓ Smoking materials
• ✓ Currency
• ✓ Packages
• ✓ Purses
• ✓ Bags
• ✓ Sacks
• ✓ Books
• ✓ Magazines
• ✓ Sunglasses
• ✓ Personal keys

Your safest bet is to show up with only your ID. Leave everything else behind. IDOC facilities prohibit a long list of everyday items inside the Visiting Room - electronics, cash, purses, bags, reading materials, sunglasses, personal keys. Staff enforce these rules at check-in, and visitors, vehicles, and property are subject to search. The less you bring, the fewer delays you'll face.

Dress conservatively. IDOC can deny your visit for clothing that's revealing or inappropriate. Underwear is required for everyone, and female visitors must wear a bra. Nothing should reveal your buttocks or breasts. Dresses, shorts, and skirts need to extend to the knee.

Expect security screening at intake. Staff can search all visitors, vehicles, and property. Refusing a search means a denied visit - and it can also lead to your visiting privileges being suspended or restricted.

Infants Toddlers

• ✓ Do not bring electronic devices (including cell phones or pagers) into the Visiting Room
• ✓ Do not bring food or drink into the Visiting Room
• ✓ Do not bring smoking materials or currency into the Visiting Room
• ✓ Do not bring packages, purses, bags, or sacks into the Visiting Room
• ✓ Do not bring books or magazines into the Visiting Room
• ✓ Do not bring sunglasses or personal keys into the Visiting Room

If you need to breastfeed during your visit, the facility must provide a secure, private area. Keep in mind that standard security still applies - visitors, vehicles, and property are subject to search as part of normal intake.

You can only visit one incarcerated person at a time. If you need to see more than one person during the same trip, you'll need prior written approval from the Chief Administrative Officer.