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Visitation

Visiting Room Rules (Missouri): Physical Contact, Clothing, and What Can Get You Sanctioned

Missouri's visiting room rules are strict—especially when it comes to physical contact and what you wear. Know the rules before you walk in, and you'll avoid a denied visit or worse, a contraband allegation.

• 2 min read • doc.mo.gov
Visiting Room Rules (Missouri): Physical Contact, Clothing, and What Can Get You Sanctioned

Physical contact during a Missouri prison visit is limited. You can share one embrace when you arrive and one when you leave. A brief kiss is allowed as part of that greeting or goodbye - but that's it.

Once seated, you can hold hands during the visit. Stick to these boundaries and your visit won't get cut short.

  • ✓ Children age 6 and under may sit on the offender’s lap during visits - unless the offender is a sex offender.
  • ✓ Children should be attended by an adult visitor at all times while visiting.

Dress code violations are one of the fastest ways to get turned away at the door. Missouri DOC requires that shirts, blouses, and tops cover your chest, cleavage, back, and stomach. Sleeves must cover your shoulders. Show up in something that doesn't meet these standards, and you won't get in.

Contraband isn't just a rule violation - it's a criminal offense. Under Missouri statute 217.360, bringing drugs, alcohol, firearms, or any prohibited item into a correctional facility can lead to prosecution. This applies to anyone entering the facility, not just the person you're visiting.

Visiting is a privilege, not a right - and violations can affect your ability to visit in the future. If your visiting application gets denied, you have 30 days to appeal in writing. Send your appeal letter to the Missouri Department of Corrections at 2729 Plaza Drive, PO Box 236, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Heads up: DOC materials list this same PO Box with two different ZIP codes - 65102 on one page, 65109 on another. Confirm the correct address with DOC before mailing your appeal to avoid delays.

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