Hi...I will be visitng my boyfriend at Lawton in July and was wondering if anyone had been there and could give me any insight as to what visitation is like. How are the C.O's....dress code restrictions (I've printed all rules and regulations...but we all know things sometimes change w/o notice...LOL)...sensitivity of the metal detectors...etc? I was planning on wearing a nice pants suit...although it will probably be hot as all hell in July ( I'm coming from Virginia Beach, VA)...but I wanted to play it safe so I wouldn't get turned away from what's turning into a $ 700 trip with plane, car, and hotel...well worth it though (smile)...One more thing is it true you can not wear open toed shoes...I love my stilletos...and since I can't get too risque with the actual outfit, I wanted to wear some really cute shoes....Any help will be appreciated...Thanks a Lot!

Hi there again :)

Unless things have changed, they don't use metal detectors (but I was there over a year ago). They did use ION Scanners to test for drugs. They are notorious for giving false positives from prescribed medication, hand lotion, handling of paper money, etc. So make sure to wash your hands before going in (there's a restroom inside the check-in room) and don't touch anything until you've been scanned through.

When I was going they were VERY strict on the open-toe shoe policy. Every tootsie had to be covered...lol. You could wear slides/mules as long as the evil toe area was covered up :p

A pant suit should be fine as long as it's not dark blue or white I think. Since you're coming from that far away, you might want to have a bland outfit with you in the car just to be on the safe side (jeans & a tshirt or something). And yep, it probably will be hotter than heck here in July! Lawton is usually in the 100s by then, and it's a sticky heat.

One thing to keep in mind, YOU are the one he's there to visit. The clothes don't matter when you have a sexy smile :D

I hope you have a great visit!

Ok, i am also facing my first visit to Lawton. What is a ion scanner? Now i am even more scared. And what about body piercings i have a nose stud and my tounge pierced. do have have to take them out? and i heard somewhere you cant wear tshirts with words on them? And how many quarters are you allowed to take? Do they do like family picts with the visitor and the inmate? I have a ton of questions, but will stop here for now.

I'll try but remember I haven't been there in over a year ;)


What is a ion scanner?

An ION Scanner is a little wand with a cotton swab at the end that they rub over your hands, pockets, & shoes. Then they put the swab in a computer and it 'reads' if there is any drug residue present. The scientific problem with them is that there is no way to be exact with that small of a test area, but the ION Scanner maker people have their own private studies that swear they work. The moral problem with them is that all they can do is tell if you've been in contact with any drug, not that you've actually taken it, carried it, sold it, etc. If you do a search at PTO for ION Scanners you'll find quite a bit of info out here about the downfalls of them.
We aren't fans by any means :D


And what about body piercings i have a nose stud and my tounge pierced. do have have to take them out?

I have a nip piercing and never had to take it out. They do have a policy against excessive jewelry so it's possible they may say no, but generally if they do you can take them out right then and still get your visit.

and i heard somewhere you cant wear tshirts with words on them?

That policy was there but they used to only enforce it if the words were naughty or drug or gang related or anti-prison. I used to wear one that said "Don't ask - Just Beg" and I never had a problem but technically they could have turned it away.

And how many quarters are you allowed to take?

$20.00 in silver change no matter how many visitors are in your party. And it can't be a roll of quarters or they'll make you open the roll and dump the quarters in your pocket. So you'll need to have them opened already and in a see through bag of some sort. A ziplock baggie works great.

Do they do like family picts with the visitor and the inmate?

Lawton used to offer them on holiday weekends. When they are offering them, you have to tell them how many you want when you check in and buy the tickets there (you can pay for them with paper money if you want). When you get into the actual visiting room, you turn your tickets into the picture taker when you're ready to take the pic.

I have a ton of questions, but will stop here for now.

Ask away, Lawton is a popular facility so these questions are always going to be asked. The more info out there the better :)

Lawton started using a metal detector about a year ago. They still have the ION wand POS. can't say how sensitive the metal detectors are never pushed them. I wear rings and a necklace and sometimes ear rings, never set it off.. but THANK the GOD above HE"S OUT OF THERE!! as of Wed.. WAHOOO!!!!