What to Bring (and What Not to) to a Visit at Western Illinois Correctional Center
A smooth visit starts before you leave home. Use this checklist to pack what you need, skip what'll get you turned away, and plan for any medical or child-related exceptions.
IDs and Forms
- ✓ Two forms of identification if you’re an adult - one should be a current, state-issued photo ID
- ✓ No photo ID is required for visitors under 18
Prohibited Items
- ✓ Cell phones, pagers, or any other electronic devices
- ✓ Purses, bags, sacks, or packages
- ✓ Personal keys
- ✓ Food or drinks
- ✓ Smoking materials
- ✓ Currency
- ✓ Books or magazines
- ✓ Sunglasses
Brought personal items? You'll need to lock them up before entering. Free lockers are available - just secure your things, and you can carry the key inside after accepting responsibility for what you stored.
Leave your regular medications behind. The only exceptions are physician-prescribed heart medication and asthma inhalers - no other pills or medications are allowed in the Visiting Room.
- Secure your insulin syringes at the Visiting Center - let Visiting Center staff know you have them.
- Return to the Visiting Center if you need an injection - visitors are allowed to go back during the visit to administer insulin if needed.
- Take syringes out with you when you leave - syringes must be removed from the facility at the end of the visit.
Visiting with a baby or toddler? Pack light. Bring only what you truly need and expect closer scrutiny of everything you carry. If it's not essential, leave it secured outside the Visiting Room.
Dress with inspection in mind. Dresses, shorts, and skirts must reach the knee - if it's above the knee when you're standing, pick something else or risk being turned away.
Religious headgear: You may be permitted to wear religious headgear (kufi, yarmulke, turban, habit, or fez) if there are no safety concerns, you indicate its religious significance, and it can be removed and thoroughly searched.
You'll be searched before entering. All visitors go through a body search at the Visitor Center, so wear and carry items that make the process quick and easy.
Warning: If you’re found with contraband (including weapons or drugs), you’ll be prohibited from visiting and may be reported to State Police, with possible criminal charges.
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