How Illinois Prisons Handle Visitor Searches and What That Means for You
Visiting someone in an Illinois Department of Corrections facility? Expect security checks as part of the process. Visitors, vehicles, and items brought onto State property are all subject to search, and refusing a search can cost you your visiting privileges.
Search authority in Illinois state prisons is broad. All visitors, their vehicles, and any items brought onto State property are subject to search. It doesn't matter if you're walking in with just your ID and keys or pulling up with a car full of personal belongings.
What this means for you: Searches are a normal part of entering state property for a visit. If you show up expecting screening of your person, vehicle, and belongings, the check-in process will feel a lot less jarring.
Refuse a search, and the facility can deny your visit on the spot. They can also suspend or restrict your visiting privileges going forward. Even if you drove hours to get there, a refusal ends things immediately and can affect future visits too.
Warning system: The Visiting Room Officer will give one warning for a minor violation of visiting rules. Any further disruption gets reported and can lead to a temporary restriction of visiting privileges for up to six months.
Practical Tips Property Vehicle
- ✓ Electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, smart watches)
- ✓ Food
- ✓ Drink
- ✓ Purses
- ✓ Bags
- ✓ Books
- ✓ Magazines
- ✓ Sunglasses
- ✓ Currency
- ✓ Smoking materials
- ✓ Personal keys
If you show up with personal items you can't take into the Visiting Room, each facility has small lockers available at no charge. Store your items, then carry the locker key in with you once you accept personal responsibility for what's inside. The facility won't be responsible for anything you store, so don't leave anything you can't afford to lose.
Quick prep: Leave electronic devices and other prohibited items out of the Visiting Room. Use the free lockers for anything you brought that can't go in. Keep valuables to a minimum since you're responsible for whatever you store.
Find an Inmate at Vienna Corrections Center, IL
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
