Locate your loved one and plan travel to FCI Mendota: inmate locator, release-date caveats, and budgeting tips

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator is the official tool for looking up anyone in federal custody from 1982 to the present. If your loved one is in BOP custody, you can use it to confirm their current facility, including whether they're actually at FCI Mendota.

Use the locator to nail down two key details: the facility listed and the BOP register number. You'll need both when coordinating a visit (you have to know where they're actually housed) and for other tasks that require identifying information tied to their BOP record.

If the locator shows a release date, treat it as a snapshot, not a guarantee. The BOP notes that sentences are being reviewed and recalculated under the First Step Act to address pending Federal Time Credit changes. That means the release date you see online may not be current.

Budget for this trip as if you're covering everything yourself, because you are. The BOP does not reimburse visitors for transportation, lodging, or meals. Whatever it costs to get to FCI Mendota comes out of your pocket.

• ✓ Price out transportation early (gas, flights, rideshare, or public transit) so you are not surprised later
• ✓ If you might need to stay overnight, compare lodging options and keep room taxes and deposits in mind
• ✓ Set aside money for meals and snacks on travel days
• ✓ Build in a cushion for changes, like needing to come back another day if plans shift
• ✓ If it is an option for your situation, consider carpooling to split costs

Before you commit to travel, confirm the visit can actually happen. In the BOP system, you can only visit if the inmate has placed you on their approved visiting list and you've been cleared. If you're not approved yet, focus on getting that paperwork moving before spending money on a trip.

Set realistic expectations for how long visits last. By law, inmates are entitled to at least four hours of visiting time per month, and many facilities offer more. That said, the Warden can limit visit length or frequency. Build some flexibility into your travel plans.

• ✓ Confirm your loved one’s current location in the BOP system before you travel
• ✓ Make sure you are on the inmate’s approved visiting list and that you have been cleared by the BOP
• ✓ Expect that approval can include suitability screening, including background checks or law enforcement inquiries
• ✓ Plan your trip with visit-duration limits in mind (at least four hours per month by law, but local limits can still affect your day)
• ✓ Budget for the full cost of the trip since there is no government reimbursement for transportation
• ✓ If it helps with costs, consider carpooling or planning ahead for an overnight stay