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Visitation

What You Can and Can't Bring into an IDOC Visiting Room (Checklist)

IDOC visiting rooms have a short list of items you can bring in. Show up with electronics, tobacco, or bags, and you'll be told to secure them before your visit starts.

• 2 min read • idoc.illinois.gov
What You Can and Can't Bring into an IDOC Visiting Room (Checklist)

Travel light. Electronics are banned - cell phones, tablets, smart watches, pagers, all of it. Food and drinks stay out too, along with smoking materials and tobacco products. The list of everyday items that aren't allowed might surprise you: currency, packages, purses, bags, books, magazines, sunglasses, and personal keys. If you're used to carrying a purse or backpack everywhere, plan to lock it up before you enter.

  • ✓ Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, pagers, and other electronic devices
  • ✓ Food and drink
  • ✓ Smoking materials and tobacco products
  • ✓ Currency (cash)
  • ✓ Packages
  • ✓ Purses, bags, sacks
  • ✓ Books and magazines
  • ✓ Sunglasses
  • ✓ Personal keys

Brought something you can't take inside? IDOC facilities have small lockers in the Visiting Center - free to use - where you can secure your stuff before your visit. You can carry the locker key into the facility. Just know that IDOC doesn't take responsibility for anything you store, so leave valuables at home if you can.

Note: The facility will not assume responsibility for personal items you secure in a locker.

Medication rules are strict. Only physician-prescribed heart medication or a physician-prescribed asthma inhaler can come into the Visiting Room - no other pills or medication of any type. Heart medication must be in a properly labeled container. If you take anything else daily, plan ahead. Don't assume you'll be allowed to carry it in.

  • ✓ Allowed: Physician-prescribed heart medication (in a properly labeled container)
  • ✓ Allowed: Physician-prescribed asthma inhaler
  • ✓ Not allowed: Any other pills or medication of any type

Need to breastfeed during your visit? Let the visiting room officer know. Security staff will escort you to a designated private area and bring you back when you're done. Restrooms cannot be used for breastfeeding.

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