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Visit-day checklist: Federal (BOP) prisons
What to wear, which ID to bring and what you can carry in, from BOP's official rules. Pick a prison to add its address, phone and hours. Print it or keep it on your phone.
Before visit day
- ☐ You can only visit if the person puts you on their visiting list and BOP clears you. They mail you a Visitor Information Form; fill in your part and mail it back to the address on the form. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ BOP may run a background check. If you're not approved, the person is told and has to let you know. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ Up to 10 friends can be on a list, plus family. Right after arrival or a transfer, verified immediate family may be allowed to visit before the list exists. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ Check for lockdowns or cancelled visits.
What to wear
- BOP's dress code isn't on the official pages we could read. Check the official visiting page (opens in new tab) or call the prison before you go.
ID to bring
- BOP's ID rule isn't on the official pages we could read. Check the official visiting page (opens in new tab) or call the prison before you go.
What you can bring, what stays in the car
- BOP's list of allowed and banned items isn't on the official pages we could read. Check the official visiting page (opens in new tab) or call the prison before you go.
More from BOP on visiting
- ☐ Visits usually happen on weekends and holidays, sometimes weekdays. Hours differ by facility and by person; check the facility's visiting regulations on bop.gov and call ahead. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ By law, people get at least four hours of visiting a month. No conjugal visits. No government help with travel costs. (official source) (opens in new tab)
- ☐ Dress code: no revealing clothes, hats, sleeveless tops, short skirts, or khaki or green clothing that looks like inmate clothing. The facility's policy has the full list. (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 BOP pages, each linked. Not legal advice. No sponsors or affiliate links. Last checked .
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