Visiting Checklist for FCI Greenville: Approval, Forms, What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
A smooth visit to FCI Greenville comes down to two things: getting approved before you travel and arriving without anything that'll get you turned away at the gate. Use this checklist to handle the paperwork, pack smart, and avoid common problems.
Before you make plans to drive to FCI Greenville, confirm you're actually eligible to visit. The Bureau of Prisons requires you to be on the inmate's approved visiting list - and cleared - before you can walk through the door. That clearance starts with paperwork: complete the BP‑A0629 visitor questionnaire and release form, then mail it to the institution address listed on the form.
BP‑A0629 collects your background information and authorizes the BOP to run the checks needed to approve visiting privileges. Fill it out completely. Missing information can stall your request - the BOP will suspend processing until they have what they need.
Once you've completed BP‑A0629, mail it to the institution address printed on the form. That specific routing matters - it ensures your paperwork reaches the right office for review. Skip requested information, and the BOP can suspend your request entirely.
Medications and Personal Items
- ✓ List every medication you’re carrying on the visiting notification form.
- ✓ Be ready to leave all medications at the entry area (they can’t go into the visiting area with you).
Bringing medication? Declare it on the visiting notification form. Staff will handle it during entry, which takes extra time. Plan for that step so you're not caught off guard when you're told to leave it at the entry area.
Prohibited and Searches
- ✓ Weapons
- ✓ Explosives
- ✓ Drugs
- ✓ Cameras (any type)
- ✓ Telephones (any type)
- ✓ Pagers
- ✓ Radios
- ✓ Recording equipment
- ✓ Other electronic devices
- ✓ Large amounts of currency
Consent to search: By entering or attempting to enter BOP grounds (including FCI Greenville), you’re consenting to be searched under Bureau policy and federal regulations (28 C.F.R. Part 511). If you refuse a search, you can be prohibited from entering.
Dress is one of the easiest reasons to get turned away. At FCI Greenville, provocative or revealing clothing can mean denied entry. Stick to conservative, family-appropriate outfits. Skip very short shorts or skirts, see-through fabrics, low-cut or backless tops, and crop tops - anything that reads more like clubwear than a visit.
By law, inmates are entitled to at least four hours of visiting time per month - many facilities offer more. The Warden can also limit visit length or group size to manage crowding in the visiting room. Schedules change, so check FCI Greenville's official BOP facility page for current visiting days and hours, or call the facility before you go.
Expect limited physical contact at the start and end of your visit - a handshake, brief hug, or quick kiss. Staff can restrict contact further for security or to keep the visiting area orderly. Follow their direction in the moment, even if the rules feel different from what you've experienced elsewhere.
Final Pretrip Checklist
- ✓ Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID.
- ✓ Confirm you’re on the inmate’s approved visiting list before you travel.
- ✓ If you recently submitted BP‑A0629, keep a copy for your records.
- ✓ If you need medication, declare it on the visiting notification form and be ready to leave it at the entry area.
- ✓ Dress conservatively to avoid being denied for provocative or revealing clothing.
- ✓ Verify FCI Greenville’s visiting days and hours on the official BOP facility page (or by contacting the facility) before you leave home.
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