What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind) When Visiting St. Bernard Parish Jail
A smooth visit starts with packing light. Bring the right ID, leave prohibited items locked in your car, and keep anything you're allowed to carry easy to search.
Adults 18 and older must show a photo ID at every visit - no exceptions. St. Bernard Parish Jail accepts a valid state driver's license, state photo ID card, active-duty military photo ID, or passport.
Searches are part of entry: Everyone (including minors) can be searched, and refusing a search can get you turned away or end the visit.
Walk in with as little as possible. Electronics, anything drug- or alcohol-related, and tobacco products aren't allowed inside - leave them locked in your vehicle. The easiest way to breeze through check-in? Leave your purse or wallet in the car and only carry what's permitted.
Heads up: If prohibited items are found during a search, staff can deny entry or terminate your visit.
Prohibited Items
- ✓ Controlled substances
- ✓ Alcoholic beverages
- ✓ Marijuana
- ✓ Tobacco and tobacco-related items
- ✓ Cameras
- ✓ Video or audio recording equipment
- ✓ Electronic devices (including cell phones and pagers)
You'll go through screening before entering the visiting area. Staff may use metal detectors, ion scanning equipment, and K-9s - both at entry and sometimes in the visiting room itself. This applies to everyone, including minors. Refuse a search and you won't get in. If contraband turns up, your visit ends.
Medication is a narrow exception, not a blanket pass. Only prescribed, life-saving or life-sustaining medication - think nitroglycerine pills, inhalers, or oxygen - is allowed, and only in the amount you need for that visit. Tell staff at the visiting desk before you enter.
Bring it up first: Even permitted medication can be searched and verified, and undeclared medication may be treated as contraband.
Infant Items
- ✓ Up to four diapers
- ✓ Two jars of vacuum-sealed baby food
- ✓ Two plastic bottles of milk or juice
- ✓ One change of clothing
- ✓ One baby blanket (maximum width and length not to exceed 48 inches)
- ✓ One clear plastic bag of baby wipes
Pack baby items so they're quick to inspect. Everything on the allowed list - except the baby blanket - must fit in a single clear plastic container (a gallon-size zip-lock bag works well). All infant items get searched, so keep it simple and stick to the allowed quantities.
Infant items are searched too: If you refuse a search, or prohibited items are found, you can be denied entry or your visit can be terminated.
Visiting schedules can change. Check the Hours of Operation section on the department's locations page before you go - that's where St. Bernard Parish Jail posts its current visiting hours.
Need ADA accommodations? Contact the facility ahead of time so staff can make arrangements.
Find an Inmate at St. Bernard Parish Jail, LA
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
