What to Expect When You're Searched and What to Wear for a Visit at Washington State Penitentiary
Visiting Washington State Penitentiary goes smoother when you know what to expect at the gate. Here's a quick rundown on searches, dress code rules, and how to avoid getting turned away.
Be ready for searches when you arrive. Under DOC policy (DOC 420.340), staff can search you, your belongings, and your vehicle - anything you bring onto institution property is fair game. Keep it simple: bring only what you need, and assume everything gets checked.
Note: Make sure the name you’re visiting under matches your current photo ID exactly. A name mismatch is an easy way to get delayed or denied at the front end of the process.
Refusing a search has real consequences. Your first refusal means a 90-day suspension of visit privileges. Refuse a second time, and DOC can terminate your visiting rights entirely.
Dress conservatively. If you're second-guessing whether something is too revealing or attention-grabbing, change before you leave home. Plain, modest clothing gets you through entry faster and keeps the focus on your visit - not your outfit.
- ✓ Choose conservative, modest outfits that clearly meet the Visitor Guidelines
- ✓ Avoid sheer or see-through fabrics (even if it’s “just a little”)
- ✓ Skip clothing that could be read as provocative or overly revealing
- ✓ Don’t wear anything that could be interpreted as gang-affiliated
- ✓ Avoid offensive or inflammatory graphics or messages
Checklist Before Leaving
- ✓ Bring a current government-issued photo ID, and double-check the name matches what you’re approved under
- ✓ If your name has changed, plan ahead to update it through the Statewide Visit Unit before you travel
- ✓ Confirm WSP’s visiting schedule and any facility-specific guidelines before you leave (schedules can vary by prison)
- ✓ Empty your pockets before you arrive and keep what you carry to a minimum
- ✓ Avoid bringing extra bags or containers unless you truly need them
- ✓ Assume your vehicle and anything you bring onto institution grounds can be searched
Don't assume visiting hours are the same everywhere. Schedules vary between Washington facilities, so check the Prison Visits information for Washington State Penitentiary before you make the drive. Look for posted guidelines and event calendars too.
Turned away or have questions about what happened? Contact the facility and ask for visit staff. If you get voicemail, leave a message with the incarcerated person's six-digit DOC number and a brief summary of your concern. That helps staff call you back with the right answers.
For administrative issues - like a name mismatch on your ID - contact the Statewide Visit Unit by email or voicemail. Include the incarcerated person's name and DOC number, plus your current name, previous name, and the state or country that issued your ID. Need to be removed from an Approved Visitor List? Send a written request to the Headquarters Visit Unit at PO Box 41118, Olympia, WA 9804-1118, or email the Statewide Visit Unit. After removal, DOC requires a 90-day waiting period before you can apply to visit the same or another incarcerated person. A few exceptions apply - for example, if you never actually visited the person you were listed for, or you haven't visited in the last 90 days.
Tip: If you plan to ask for a change or reinstatement later, write down what happened right away (date/time and who you spoke with). The 90-day waiting period can apply after removal from a visitor list, so keeping clean notes helps you stay organized.
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