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Visit-day checklist: Illinois prisons
What to wear, which ID to bring and what you can carry in, from IDOC's official rules. Pick a prison to add its address, phone and hours. Print it or keep it on your phone.
Before visit day
- ☐ All visitors except government officials and legal visitors must be on the person's approved visitation list. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ To find out if you are on the list, write to the person. IDOC staff cannot tell you by phone. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ IDOC does not publish a typical approval wait time. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ Check for lockdowns or cancelled visits: Illinois facility status.
What to wear
- ☐ Clothing must be in good taste and not advertise or suggest any items in such a manner to signify a Security Threat Group or other illegal activity. (official source) (opens in new tab)
ID to bring
- ☐ Adult visitors are required to bring two forms of identification (one must be a state issued photo ID) and provide vehicle information. (official source) (opens in new tab)
What you can bring, what stays in the car
- ☐ Electronic devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and smart watches, food, drink, smoking materials, currency, packages, purses, bags, books, magazines, sunglasses, or personal keys are not permitted inside the Visiting Room. (official source) (opens in new tab)
More from IDOC on visiting
- ☐ Schedule in-person visits online through the facility sign-up linked from IDOC's visiting page; finish within 30 minutes or the sign-up times out. Arrive at least 10 minutes early. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ On arrival, call the facility for guidance. Adults need two forms of ID (one a state-issued photo ID) and vehicle information. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ Phones, smart watches, food, bags, keys and most medications are not allowed in the visiting room; small lockers are available. All people, vehicles and items are subject to search. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ Visits can be denied during a lockdown. Check IDOC's lockdown information before you travel. (official source) (opens in new tab)
Rules can differ by prison and change without notice; the prison's posted rules win. Quoted or summarized from official IDOC pages, each linked. Not legal advice. No sponsors or affiliate links. Last checked .
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