Understanding the Body Scanner and Search Process (What Tipton Visitors Should Know)

Tipton Correctional Center (Missouri DOC) uses full-body Intercept scanners as part of the visitor search process. If you’re 18 or older, you may be scanned when you come in to visit.

Not everyone goes through the full-body scanner. If you have a verified medical condition or you're pregnant, you can request an approved exception. Visitors can submit this request to the warden or superintendent. Do this ahead of time - you don't want to be sorting it out at the front desk on the day of your visit.

• ✓ Submit your exception request to the warden or superintendent (non-staff visitors can request an exception).
• ✓ If your request is based on special medical equipment (like a walker, wheelchair, or surgically implanted metal hardware), include a physician’s statement.
• ✓ If your request is based on pregnancy, be ready to provide documentation to verify pregnancy if the facility requires it for approval.

When you complete Missouri DOC's online visiting application, you're agreeing to follow visiting regulations - including search procedures. Screening is part of the deal for entry, so plan accordingly.

Once you submit the online visiting application, it goes to the institutional case manager for processing. If you need a medical accommodation, the case manager is your main point of contact.

Bringing medical equipment like a walker or wheelchair? Have surgically implanted metal hardware? You'll need a physician's statement. Bring it with you so staff can review it during entry screening.

• ✓ Bring only life-maintaining medications or medical equipment (for example, nitroglycerin, insulin and insulin supplies, oxygen, or asthma inhalers) and keep everything in the original container.
• ✓ Limit what you bring to the dosage you’ll need for the visiting period.
• ✓ Notify the institutional case manager in advance so staff are aware of your needs.
• ✓ Tell staff when you arrive that you’ll need medication during visitation.