What to Bring (and What to Leave in the Car) When Visiting South Mississippi Correctional Institution
A smooth visit starts before you ever reach the front door. Here's what to bring, what to leave locked in your car, and what to expect during check-in at South Mississippi Correctional Institution.
Park in the designated visitor parking area. Before heading to the visitation area, take a minute to lock anything you can't carry inside (including personal belongings) in your vehicle.
From the parking area, head to the visitation processing center to register. You'll present your photo ID and sign the visitor sign-in log before moving forward with the visit.
Build in extra time for security screening. Visitors are searched for contraband and may need to walk through a body scanner during processing. While you're on MDOC grounds, staff can search your person, your vehicle, your personal property, and anything in your possession.
Do Not Bring Locked Vehicle
- ✓ Personal possessions that are not permitted in the visitation area should stay locked in your vehicle (examples include wallets, cell phones, purses, handbags, change purses, and excessive clothing).
- ✓ Anything you do not need for registration and the visit itself should remain in your locked vehicle before you approach the visitation area.
- ✓ While you are in or on prison grounds, MDOC is not responsible for personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
- ✓ Do not bring contraband onto MDOC grounds. Contraband will be confiscated, and violations may be prosecuted.
If you're 18 or older, bring a valid picture ID. Accepted forms include a driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, or a Visitor ID card.
When you arrive, head to the visitation processing center to register. You'll also sign the visitor sign-in log as part of check-in.
Infants Children Items
- ✓ Keep your group size within the limit: no more than five people total, including babies and children.
- ✓ If you are bringing an infant, you may bring one diaper bag only.
- ✓ Pack no more than four diapers.
- ✓ Pack no more than two bottles.
- ✓ Pack one change of baby clothes.
- ✓ Pack one pacifier.
- ✓ Bring diaper wipes in a zip-lock bag.
- ✓ Bring any necessary medication for the infant.
During processing, the top of your right hand will be stamped before you enter the visitation center. Don't scrub it off. Staff use it as part of the entry check.
Security screening happens every visit. You may be frisk searched, asked to go through an electronic body scanner, or both. Searches can also cover your vehicle, personal property, and anything you have with you on MDOC grounds. If contraband is found, it will be confiscated, and you could face prosecution.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Bring a valid photo ID if you are 18 or older (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, or Visitor ID card).
- ✓ Park in the designated visitor parking area, then leave prohibited items and extra personal possessions locked in your vehicle.
- ✓ Go to the visitation processing center to register, then sign the visitor sign-in log.
- ✓ If you are visiting with family, keep the group to five people or fewer total (including babies and children).
- ✓ Do not bring valuables you cannot secure. MDOC is not responsible for personal property that is lost, stolen, or damaged on prison grounds.
Reminder: While on MDOC grounds, you can be searched (including your vehicle and property), and you may need to go through a body scanner. Pack light and leave anything questionable locked in your car. Contraband is confiscated, and violations may be prosecuted.
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