Before You Drive to FCI Mendota: Essential Steps to Confirm Your Visit
Nothing's worse than a long drive that ends with "no visits today." Before you head to FCI Mendota, run through these checks to make sure your loved one is there, you're cleared to visit, and visits are actually happening that day.
First, confirm your loved one is actually at FCI Mendota. The Bureau of Prisons' inmate locator shows where someone is housed, or you can call the facility directly. People get transferred between facilities more often than you'd expect - showing up at the wrong place means a wasted trip.
One thing to watch: don't rely on the locator's release date. Sentences are constantly being recalculated under the First Step Act, so that date may be outdated. For trip planning, focus on confirming the facility location and call ahead to avoid surprises.
Make sure you're on the inmate's approved visiting list. At FCI Mendota, you can only visit after the inmate adds you to their list and the BOP clears you. Not sure if you're approved? Check with your loved one or their unit team before arranging time off work, childcare, or travel.
Call FCI Mendota before you leave. This is especially important after a recent transfer - visiting lists and other details may not be fully set up yet. A quick phone call can save you hours on the road if there's a temporary issue blocking the visit.
Even when you're approved, the schedule matters. Visiting hours in the BOP vary by institution and sometimes by inmate. Most facilities offer visiting on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (sometimes weekdays too), but confirm FCI Mendota's specific schedule before you drive out.
Note: By law, inmates are guaranteed at least four hours of visiting time per month. However, the Warden can limit visit length or the number of visitors at once for safety or overcrowding reasons.
Final Checklist
- ✓ Check the BOP inmate locator (or contact the facility) to confirm the inmate is currently at FCI Mendota.
- ✓ Confirm you’re on the inmate’s approved visiting list and cleared by the BOP.
- ✓ Call FCI Mendota ahead of time to make sure the visit will be permitted - especially after a recent transfer.
- ✓ Confirm the current visiting schedule for FCI Mendota before you leave.
- ✓ Ask what identification you’ll need to bring and any day-of visiting requirements they expect you to follow.
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