Jackson Parish Correctional Center Visiting Hours, Rules & Approval

Getting Information Before You Go

Jackson Parish Correctional Center does not publish its visiting schedule, approval process, or rules on a public website. Before you do anything else, call (318) 259-8799 and ask these questions:

1. What are the current visiting days and hours?
2. Is an appointment required, or are visits walk-in?
3. How do I get approved as a visitor? Is there an application to fill out?
4. Does a background check run on visitors?
5. Are there any restrictions for people on probation or parole?
6. Can I bring children, and are there any age rules or documentation requirements?
7. Is video visitation available, and how does it work?

Getting these answers first saves you a wasted trip and helps you plan properly.

Getting Approved to Visit

Parish jails operated by private companies like LaSalle Corrections typically require some form of visitor approval before an in-person visit. The process varies by facility, but typically works as follows:

• The person inside submits your name to the facility as an approved visitor
• The facility may run a background check on you
• People on active probation or parole often need written permission from their supervising officer
• Prior felony convictions may result in denial depending on the facility’s policy

Do not assume you are approved. Call (318) 259-8799 and confirm that you are on the approved visitor list before you make the drive to Jonesboro.

What to Bring: ID and Documentation

All visitors 18 and older need a valid, current government-issued photo ID. This means:

• State driver’s license or ID card (not expired)
• U.S. passport or passport card
• Military ID
• Tribal ID card

Photocopies are not accepted. Expired IDs are not accepted.

If you are bringing children who are not your own, bring documentation showing you are the legal guardian or have written parental permission from the child’s parent. Call ahead to confirm what documentation the facility requires for children.

Dress Code

Louisiana parish jails operated by LaSalle Corrections enforce dress codes to prevent visitors from blending in with staff or inmates. While the exact dress code at Jackson Parish is not published online, the following rules are standard across correctional facilities in Louisiana:

Not allowed:

• Clothing that resembles inmate clothing (typically gray, orange, or other specific facility colors)
• Clothing that resembles staff or officer uniforms
• Revealing or tight-fitting clothing
• See-through garments
• Short skirts or shorts above the knee
• Clothing with gang-related imagery, profane language, or offensive content
• Backless tops, halter tops, or strapless garments

Generally safe choices:

• Solid-color jeans or pants in non-inmate colors
• T-shirts or casual tops with sleeves
• Closed-toe shoes or simple sandals

Call (318) 259-8799 and ask specifically about the dress code before your first visit. The officer at the entrance makes the final call, and being turned away after a long drive is frustrating and avoidable.

Security Screening

All visitors go through security screening before entering the visiting area. Expect:

• A metal detector or magnetometer. Remove keys, coins, belts, and anything metal before walking through.
• A possible pat-down search if the detector alarms or at the officer’s discretion
• Staff may also use canine units on some visiting days

If you have a medical device that will trigger a metal detector, such as a pacemaker, hip replacement, or spinal hardware, bring a physician’s letter and notify the officer before screening. Do not try to walk through without disclosing it.

What to Bring Into the Visiting Area

Most correctional facilities limit what visitors can bring into the visiting area. Standard rules across Louisiana parish jails:

Allowed:

• Photo ID
• Coins for vending machines if available (call ahead about vending)
• Car keys, which may need to go into a provided locker

Not allowed:

• Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, or electronic devices of any kind
• Purses, bags, or backpacks
• Food or drinks from outside
• Cash beyond approved vending coins
• Tobacco, e-cigarettes, or vaping products

Leave everything except your ID in the car.

Rules for Children

Children must be accompanied by an approved adult visitor at all times. They cannot be left unsupervised in any part of the facility. Call ahead about:

• Whether there is an age limit for child visitors
• Whether children need to be on a separate approved list
• Whether you need to bring a birth certificate or guardianship documentation

Visit Conduct and Termination

Visits run on facility time, and the officer in the visiting area can end a visit early for any of the following reasons:

• The visitor or inmate behaves in a way that disrupts the visiting area
• Prohibited physical contact
• Any attempt to pass items (money, food, drugs, messages on paper) between visitor and inmate
• Verbal conduct that violates facility rules

Passing anything to an inmate, including cash, a note, or food, is a felony in Louisiana. Do not do it.

Video Visitation

Many LaSalle Corrections facilities offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. Video visits may be available through an app or website on weekdays when in-person visits are not scheduled. Ask the facility when you call whether video visits are available and what platform they use. Some facilities also offer video visits that can be scheduled from home, which can be especially useful for family members who live far from Jonesboro.

If Visits Are Cancelled

Visits can be cancelled without advance notice due to lockdowns, security incidents, or staffing issues. Always call (318) 259-8799 the morning of your planned visit before you leave home. If you arrive and visits are suspended, ask the officer at the entrance when they expect to resume.