Visiting Applications and Rules for Visiting Louisiana Inmates
When a friend or someone you love becomes incarcerated it can strain your relationship. Often times people loose touch or don't visit because they don't know the process and are overwhelmed at the thought of going to a correctional institution. To make visiting more straight forward and easier for everyone we have amassed the most important things should know before you visit your inmate in Louisiana:
- Inmates can have up to ten approved visitors on their visitation list.
- The first step in visiting your inmate is to fill out a Louisiana inmate visitors application. The application is not currently available online, and cn only be obtained by requesting one from the inmate directly. Once you complete the application you will mail it back to the facility where they will then conduct a criminal history check.
- Parents and legal guardians must fill out a visitors application for all minors who wish to visit.
- Once the application has been approved or denied the facility will inform the inmate. They will leave it up to the inmate to advise a prospective visitor of their applications status. You cannot visit until you have been approved.
- The first process a new inmate undergoes is intake. Visitation is not allowed during the first thirty days. If an inmate is still undergoing the intake process after thirty days they can request a special visit. Only after an inmate completes the intake process and the visitors application is approved can a regular visit occur.
- All visitors over the age of 18 must have a valid photo ID including state ID, drivers license, passport, or military photo ID.
- All visitors, including minors, will be searched and must pass through a metal detector. Your car may also be searched if it is on institutional grounds. The facility may utilize canine units during the search process.
Some additional pertinent information about visiting inmates in Louisiana:
- You may qualify for a special visit if you meet special circumstances such as traveling an extremely long distance or having accessibility issues. Special visits are determined on a case by case basis with approval from the Warden.
- If you are disrespectful to staff, other visitors or the inmate, or if you exhibit disruptive/loud behavior your visit will be terminated. Failure to follow directives given by the staff will also result in the visit ending.
- Any inmate who is in segregation or a disciplinary unit will have non-contact visits that occur with a partition between the inmate and visitor.
- Visitors can bring cash to purchase items from the vending machines or to place funds into an inmate's account through the kiosk located in the lobby/visiting room.
- If you are traveling with a small child/infant you may be allowed to bring additional items with you to the visit. Contact the institution or look on the institutions page under visiting hours for more information.
Dress Code/Contact Rules for Visitors of Louisiana Inmates
All correctional institutions require visitors to follow a dress code. This ensures the safety and security of the institution, and also ensures no one is offended by what another visitor is wearing. The dress code is strictly enforced and it is ultimately up to the staff to determine if the visitors clothes are appropriate. Because of this, we suggest that you always bring a change of clothes with you and leave them in your car. This enables you to quickly change in the event that a staff member objects to something you are wearing.
- You should not bring any electronics, phones, recording devices, cameras, ipods etc with you, they are not allowed to enter into the institution.
- You are not allowed to converse with any inmates other then who you are their to visit. Also refrain from talking to other visitors.
- Any clothing that closely resembles the inmates clothes or the staffs clothes is prohibited for security reasons.
- Uniforms such as military or doctors/nurse scrubs may not be worn, as they could be confused with staff, which presents a security issue.
- Hats, sunglasses and other items that cover the face are not allowed.
- Clothing that exposes the midriff, back, shoulders, cleavage, thighs or other excessive skin is not allowed.
- Tight clothes, such as spandex, leggings, tube tops, tank tops, or clothing that is sheer or see-through cannot be worn.
- Skirts, shorts, and dresses that are above the knee or have a slit above the knee are not allowed.
- Clothing that contains offensive language or images may not be worn to visitation.
If you have any questions, or have already visited your inmate in Louisiana and would like to share your experience, please leave a comment. In addition, if you know of other useful information pertaining to visiting an inmate in Louisiana, please post it below.