What to Know Before Your First Visit to FCI Morgantown

The Bureau of Prisons welcomes visitors but expects you to do some homework first. Before locking in plans, review the BOP visiting regulations and check for any state or local travel advisories that could affect your trip.

When you call, ask whether the person you're visiting is in a special housing unit. If so, they'll likely have a modified visiting schedule - the standard hours won't apply.

Even if you've visited before, the Warden can restrict or cancel visiting for safety and security reasons. Severe weather, facility incidents, or other disruptions can shut things down without much notice. A quick call before you leave can save you a long drive for nothing.

BOP rules guarantee each inmate at least four hours of visiting time per month. That said, the Warden can limit visit length or frequency to manage overcrowding. Don't assume every visit will run as long as you'd like - plan for tighter limits on busy days.

First visits are the hardest. There are a lot of moving parts. A little preparation - especially confirming the schedule - means you can spend more of the day focused on the visit itself, not the logistics.

Need specifics that can make or break your first visit - what ID to bring, dress code rules, policies for bringing children? Call the facility directly. Local procedures change, and the Warden can adjust visiting rules at any time. A few minutes on the phone before you leave is worth it.

• ✓ Do not send money to an inmate using FPC Morgantown’s facility address.
• ✓ If you’re sending funds through the mail, they must be addressed to a processing center in Des Moines, Iowa.