What You Can and Can't Bring to the Visiting Room at Southwestern Corrections Center
Packing light is the easiest way to avoid problems at check-in. Here's what to leave at home (or locked in your car) before you enter the Visiting Room at Southwestern Corrections Center.
Leave all electronics behind. Cell phones, tablets, and smart watches are not permitted inside the Visiting Room. Showing up with them can slow your entry or end your visit before it starts.
Food, drinks, and smoking materials are all off-limits in the Visiting Room. If you need a snack or a smoke, handle it before you arrive on state property. Otherwise, you'll be stuck turning around at the door.
A number of everyday items are also banned from the Visiting Room: currency, purses and bags, packages, books and magazines, sunglasses, and personal keys. Leave them somewhere secure before you go in. Staff follow the official list closely, and bringing prohibited items can get you refused entry.
Heads up: All visitors must submit to a body search by officers at the Visitor Center. If you're not comfortable with that process, ask questions before you check in.
Brought something you can't take inside? Southwestern Corrections Center has small lockers in the Visiting Center for storing personal items. They're a good backup, but you'll still have an easier time if you pack light from the start.
- ✓ Three diapers and wipes
- ✓ One blanket
- ✓ Up to two filled clear plastic bottles or two sealed containers of baby food
- ✓ One change of clothes
- ✓ Store all infant/toddler items in a clear bag or plastic container
Keep the knee rule in mind. Dresses, shorts, and skirts must extend to the knee. See-through or sheer clothing is not allowed. If you're unsure about an outfit, go with something that offers more coverage so you don't risk being turned away.
Clothing with gang-affiliated symbols, messages, or anything staff consider a security concern is prohibited. If what you're wearing raises a flag, you can be denied entry. Keep logos and graphics simple and neutral.
Anyone who is intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted entry. If there's any chance this could be an issue, reschedule the visit. It's not worth making the trip only to be turned away at the door.
Most visiting-room denials come down to security. Common contraband includes electronics (phones, tablets, smart watches), food or drink, smoking materials, and everyday carry items like cash, keys, purses or bags, packages, books or magazines, and sunglasses. The simplest approach: assume you should bring as little as possible inside.
- Empty your pockets before you leave home: plan on going in without cash, keys, sunglasses, or any electronics.
- Pack for kids only if you need to: if you are visiting with an infant or toddler, stick to the allowed items and keep them in a clear bag or plastic container.
- Use the Visiting Center lockers as backup: if you accidentally bring something you cannot take into the Visiting Room, store it in a small locker instead of trying to argue it through check-in.
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