Visitation Rules

  • You are expected to conduct yourself with appropriate behavior. Both inmate and visitor are required to remain seated at all times.
  • You may briefly kiss the inmate upon the start and end of your visit.
  • Inmates will not sit and hold children at any time.
  • There will be no cross visiting between visiting parties.
  • No items will be brought into the visiting room (infants and toddlers will be allowed to have a pacifier).
  • There will be no passing of any items from visitors to the inmate and vice versa.
  • Conversations will be held at normal tones. Shouting, yelling, and using obscene language will not be tolerated and your visit will be terminated immediately.
  • Visitors will wear proper clothing. The following clothing items will not be permitted:
    • Midriff bearing clothing
    • Cut-off t-shirts
    • Spaghetti string tops
    • Sleeveless shirts
    • Coats
    • Hooded Sweatshirts
    • Layered clothing
    • Jeans with excessive holes or rips
    • Nothing in your pockets or clothing, including, but not limited to: cigarettes, lighters, money, keys, papers, etc...
    • Hair accessories are not permitted: Hair Clips, Ribbons, etc...
    • No jewelry except for wedding rings, religious medallions and medical alert ID bracelets
    • No electronics will be permitted
    • The mouth must be empty at visitation (no candy, gum, food, etc...)
  • Visitor lockers are provided in the lobby to store those personal items not allowed into the visitation room. One (1) Quarter coin(25 cents) is needed to utilize the locker (as a deposit) and will be returned upon return of the locker key. All personal property is to be secured prior to entry/sign-in for visitation. The Tompkins County Jail is not responsible for any lost or stolen items left in the facility.
  • Visitors may leave money for an inmate using the cashier machine located in the lobby of the jail. A receipt will be issued to you from the machine.
  • If you are found in possession of contraband as defined by this facility, you will be charged criminally and/or may lose the privilege to visit this facility.

Warning

A person is guilty of promoting prison contraband when he/she knowingly and unlawfully introduces any contraband into the jail (Punishable as a Class A Misdemeanor or a Class D Felony per the NYS Penal Law).

This includes, but is not limited to weapons, drugs, fire-starting devices, and tobacco. If you have any questions, you must raise them with Corrections staff prior to entering our facility.

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