Tour The Jail

Cook County Jail Tour Information

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Department of Corrections may grant tours to public organizations; academic institutions; social service agencies; community leaders; law enforcement; and other correctional professionals for academic, educational, or professional purposes only. Tours will be granted as available for academic or professional purposes only. Requestor must clearly indicate how the tour will benefit the attendees for one of those reasons. All attendees of the tour must be affiliated with one of the following:

  • Educational Institution
  • Law Enforcement Organization
  • Correctional Institution
  • Mental Health or Social Services Organization
  • Local, State, or Federal government agency

All other tour requests will be considered on a case by case basis depending on the nature of the request. DOC personnel reserve the right to deny any tour request at the discretion of CCSO personnel. Tours of the Jail facilities are available on a scheduled basis.

Groups and organizations wishing to schedule a tour must fill out the Tour Request form:

 

Jail Tour Request Form

The form must be filled out and emailed to [email protected] one month prior to the requested date of the tour. Tours will be granted on a case by case basis based on the potential impact on the DOC and the educational/professional needs met by providing the tour. We also request on completion of the tour that the attendees fill out the survey/feedback form and return it to the tour administrator.

Any person requesting a tour should be aware of the following:

  1. All participants are required to complete and sign a Waiver of Liability Form. (The form will be sent to requestor upon approval of the tour request). A complete list of all tour members’ names, accompanied by signed waiver forms must be submitted prior to the tour. No member of the tour shall be permitted entry into the facility without a signed waiver form. Visiting guests under the age of eighteen (18) must have parental permission and a waiver form completed by their parent or guardian prior to entry. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
  2. Members of the group must dress in compliance with the Visitor Dress Code. Clothing worn by visitors shall not be provocative, suggestive or revealing as to warrant unwanted attention. The following types of clothing are prohibited:
    • a. Short dresses, miniskirts or unduly revealing shorts;
    • b. Low cut shirts and/or blouses;
    • c. Sheer, transparent, net/mesh material pants and/or tops;
    • d. Sleeveless t-shirts (no tank tops, “spaghetti” strap tops, halter tops or “tube tops”);
    • e. Hats or caps worn in the facility;
    • f. Clothing that unduly exposes the stomach, back, shoulders, chest, buttocks, midriff or undergarments ;
    • g. Any article that displays gang symbols, obscene or distracting messages, shapes or designs;
    • h. Clothing resembling law enforcement/security uniforms or individual in custody uniforms;
    • i. Pants that are worn below the waist and/or hips exposing undergarments (i.e. saggy pants).
  3. All members of the group must clear the metal detector or they will not be permitted access into the facility.
  4. Purses, backpacks, briefcases, cell phones, cameras, recording devices and other personal effects will not be allowed into the jail.
  5. Tours are subject to cancellation without notice by jail personnel should it be determined that safety and/or staffing levels are inadequate to conduct tours for the day.
  6. The jail is frequently a hostile, unpredictable and unpleasant environment. Tour members may be subjected to vulgar and/or obscene manners of communication.
  7. The maximum number of persons permitted on a tour is preferred to be 15, but exceptions may be made at the discretion of jail personnel.