How to Visit Southwestern Corrections Center, IL (IL)
Visiting Southwestern Corrections Center takes a little planning, especially if it's your first time. The biggest things to sort out up front: the approved visitor list, the required paperwork, and what you can (and can't) bring into the Visiting Room.
Plan to travel light. Electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, smart watches), food, drink, smoking materials, currency, packages, purses, bags, books, magazines, sunglasses, and personal keys are not permitted inside the Visiting Room.
If you show up with something you can't take in, don't panic. Small lockers are available in the Visiting Center for storing personal items that aren't allowed in the Visiting Room.
Before you make the trip, confirm you're eligible to visit. Everyone must be on the incarcerated person's approved visitation list to be granted a visit, with the exception of government officials and legal visitors.
Heads up: To check whether you are on someone’s visitation list, you have to write to the incarcerated person. Facility staff will not confirm visitor-list status by phone.
There's a paperwork step on your first visit. Adult visitors need to complete a Prospective Visitor's Interview form (DOC 0148) before visiting, unless you've already received approval through the electronic PVI process.
Bring the right ID. All adult visitors must show photo ID and verification of date of birth. You'll want two forms of ID, with one being a current state-issued photo ID.
Steps to Follow
- ✓ Confirm you are on the incarcerated person’s approved visitation list (government officials and legal visitors are handled differently)
- ✓ If this is your first visit, be ready to complete the Prospective Visitor’s Interview (DOC 0148) unless you were already approved through the electronic PVI process
- ✓ Bring two forms of ID, including a current state-issued photo ID, and documentation that verifies your date of birth
- ✓ Leave prohibited items at home or locked in your vehicle when possible
- ✓ If needed, use the small lockers in the Visiting Center to store personal items that cannot go into the Visiting Room (including phones and other electronics)
Visitor approval is the first thing to lock down. You generally can't visit unless you're on the incarcerated person's approved list (government officials and legal visitors are the exception). The catch: the facility won't tell you over the phone whether you're on the list. To confirm your status, write to the incarcerated person and ask. If you're trying to get added, ask them what step is still needed on their end and whether you have any electronic pre-approval for the Prospective Visitor's Interview.
Before you go, double-check what the facility accepts as your two forms of ID and what counts as verification of date of birth, since you'll need to show both. If this is your first visit, also confirm how you'll complete the Prospective Visitor's Interview (DOC 0148) and whether your approval has already come through the electronic PVI process. Sorting this out ahead of time saves you from delays at check-in.
Before you leave home: Check what the lockers can hold and whether the Visiting Center has any limits on storage, since items like phones, keys, bags, and currency can't go into the Visiting Room.
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