Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Visitation

Before Your First Visit to St. Bernard Jail: What to Expect During Security Screening

Your first visit to St. Bernard Parish Jail can feel intimidating—mostly because you don't know what happens at the door. The good news: security screening is predictable once you know the basics. You'll register, show your ID, and possibly be searched before reaching the visiting area.

• 2 min read • doc.la.gov
Before Your First Visit to St. Bernard Jail: What to Expect During Security Screening

You'll need to register with staff before entering the visiting area at St. Bernard Parish Jail. This is where they confirm your identity and clear you to proceed. Expect this step every time you visit.

  • ✓ Bring an accepted photo ID if you’re 18 or older (you’ll be asked to show it each visit).
  • ✓ Use a government-issued photo ID like a state driver’s license, state photo ID, active-duty military photo ID, or a passport.

All visitors at St. Bernard Parish Jail go through screening - including minors. Staff may search your person, your belongings, and even your vehicle. It's all about keeping the visiting area safe and preventing prohibited items from getting inside.

Screening goes beyond a quick check at the door. You'll likely walk through a metal detector, and the facility may use ion scanning equipment. Don't be surprised if K-9 teams are present - they're sometimes used before visitors enter, and they may also be in the visiting room during your visit.

Warning: If you refuse to be searched, you won’t be allowed to enter, and your visit may be ended. If contraband or other prohibited items are found on you or in your property, the visit may also be terminated.

Accepted IDs

  • ✓ Valid state driver’s license
  • ✓ Valid state photo ID card
  • ✓ Valid active-duty military photo ID
  • ✓ Valid passport

Need ADA accommodations? Contact St. Bernard Parish Jail before your visit. Calling ahead gives staff time to prepare, so you're not trying to figure things out at the door.

Even after you're checked in and inside, staff can end a visit. The warden - or designated staff - may terminate a visit at any time if they believe it's necessary for safety or security. Visits can also be cut short if contraband or prohibited items are found on you or in your belongings.

Tip: If staff ends the visit, comply and leave calmly. If you’re unsure what to do next, ask staff for instructions and follow them.

Find an Inmate at St. Bernard Parish Jail, LA

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from St. Bernard Parish Jail, LA

David Wade's Visitor Dress Code: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Dress code issues are one of the fastest ways to lose a visit you've been counting on. Here's what David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC) specifically flags - so you can get dressed once and walk in with confidence.

Getting on the Visiting List at St. Bernard Parish Jail: What to Do and What to Expect

Getting approved to visit starts before you show up at the jail. At St. Bernard Parish Jail, you'll need to be on the incarcerated person's approved visiting list - and that approval begins with a specific application.

Getting on the Visiting List at St. Bernard Parish Jail: What your loved one must do

Getting approved to visit starts with your loved one. Here's what they need to do - and what you'll need to provide - to get on the visiting list at St. Bernard Parish Jail.