What to Bring (and What to Leave Home) for Your First Visit to Stateville Correctional Center

Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled visit time at Stateville Correctional Center. That buffer matters. Check-in and screening take a few minutes, and showing up late can cost you the visit entirely.

Stateville requires all adult visitors to have two forms of ID - one must be a current state-issued photo ID. You'll also need to provide vehicle information at check-in, so have your license plate number and car details ready before you arrive.

Prohibited Items

• ✓ Electronic devices (including cell phones, tablets, and smart watches)
• ✓ Food and drink
• ✓ Purses and bags
• ✓ Books and magazines
• ✓ Sunglasses
• ✓ Personal keys

Accidentally bring something prohibited? Small lockers are available at the Visiting Center at no charge. Use them for basics you need to stash, but keep it simple. The facility doesn't take responsibility for stored items, so leave valuables at home or locked in your vehicle.

Medication rules are strict. No pills or medication of any type are allowed in the Visiting Room - with only two exceptions: physician-prescribed heart medication or a physician-prescribed asthma inhaler. If you need heart medication, bring it in a properly labeled container. Staff will store it at the officer's desk rather than letting you keep it at your seat.

Expect screening at the door. All visitors go through a COVID-19 symptom and temperature check, and the facility provides surgical masks for visitors over age two. You'll also need to submit to a body search at the Visitor Center. Anyone who appears intoxicated or under the influence will be turned away.

1. Set your arrival time - Plan to be at Stateville at least 10 minutes before your scheduled visit.
2. Pack your ID (two forms) - Bring two forms of identification; one must be a current state-issued photo ID.
3. Have your vehicle info ready - You may be asked to provide it during check-in.
4. Leave prohibited items at home - Don’t bring electronics (phone/tablet/smart watch), food or drink, purses/bags, books/magazines, sunglasses, or personal keys into the Visiting Room.
5. Use lockers only if you have to - Small lockers are free at the Visiting Center, but the facility doesn’t assume responsibility for stored items.
6. Plan for health screening - You’ll get a COVID-19 symptom and temperature screening, and masks are provided for visitors over age two.
7. Be ready for a search - Visitors must submit to a body search; intoxicated or impaired visitors won’t be allowed in.
8. Handle medication the right way - No pills are allowed except physician-prescribed heart medication or a physician-prescribed asthma inhaler.
9. Bring heart meds correctly - Heart medication must be in a properly labeled container and will be stored at the officer’s desk in the Visiting Room.