What You Can and Can't Bring to the Visiting Room at Southwestern
Nothing derails a visit faster than showing up with prohibited items. Check the lists below and stash anything not allowed before you enter the Visiting Room.
Quick Prohibited
- ✓ Cell phones
- ✓ Tablets
- ✓ Smart watches (and other electronic devices)
- ✓ Food and drinks of any kind
- ✓ Smoking materials and tobacco (including tobaccoless products)
- ✓ Currency (cash)
- ✓ Packages
- ✓ Purses and bags
- ✓ Books and magazines
- ✓ Sunglasses
- ✓ Personal keys
Southwestern has small lockers in the Visiting Center for personal items. Anything you can't bring into the Visiting Room goes there.
Leave as much as possible at home or locked in your car. Phones, smart watches, food, drinks, cash, purses, bags, books, magazines, sunglasses, packages, and personal keys are all banned from the Visiting Room.
When you arrive, call the facility for guidance. Staff will let you know when it's safe to enter - wait for their go-ahead before heading inside.
You'll go through security screening. Officers conduct body searches at the Visitor Center, so arrive a bit early and keep your pockets empty.
Important: If you’re intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you won’t be permitted to enter.
Bring two forms of ID. Adults need at least one current state-issued photo ID - double-check your wallet before you leave.
Know your vehicle info. Staff may ask for your plate number and other details at check-in.
Need lifesaving medication during your visit? It must be handed over to officers at the visiting room station. Plan for that handoff at entry, and ask staff how to handle any other medical items.
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