What You Can and Can't Bring to FCI Texarkana: Visitor Rules That Matter
Show up with the wrong items or the wrong outfit, and you can lose your visit before it even starts. These are the Bureau of Prisons rules that tend to trip people up at FCI Texarkana.
By entering or even attempting to enter Bureau of Prisons grounds (including FCI Texarkana), you're consenting to searches under Bureau policy and federal rules in 28 C.F.R. Part 511. This isn't optional once you're on the property. If you're not willing to be searched, staff can turn you away, and that usually means no visitation that day.
Heads up: Refuse a search after entering or attempting to enter Bureau grounds, and you can be denied entry and lose your visit.
Prohibited Items
- ✓ Weapons
- ✓ Explosives
- ✓ Drugs
- ✓ Intoxicants
- ✓ Currency
- ✓ Cameras of any type
- ✓ Recording equipment
- ✓ Telephones
- ✓ Radios
- ✓ Pagers
- ✓ Electronic devices
- ✓ Any other object that violates criminal laws or is prohibited by federal regulations or Bureau policies (this includes items carried by children in your party)
These rules are enforced through the search process you consent to by stepping onto Bureau grounds. If staff find a prohibited item, they can confiscate it and deny you entry for the visit. The simplest way to protect your time: arrive with as little as possible and leave anything questionable behind before you attempt to enter.
What you wear matters. The Bureau's general visiting guidance says inappropriate clothing, including provocative or revealing clothes, can get you turned away. That includes items like revealing shorts, halter tops, bathing suits, see-through garments, crop tops, low-cut blouses or dresses, leotards, spandex, miniskirts, backless tops, hats or caps, sleeveless garments, skirts two inches or more above the knee, dresses or skirts with a high-cut split, and clothing that resembles inmate clothing (khaki or green military-type clothing). If you're deciding between two outfits, go with the more conservative one.
Tip: Staff can deny a visit based on appearance. When in doubt, cover up more, not less.
- Approach the facility with only permitted items: Prohibited objects include things like weapons, drugs, cameras, phones, pagers, radios, and other electronic devices.
- Expect to be searched: By entering or attempting to enter Bureau grounds, you are consenting to searches under Bureau policy and 28 C.F.R. Part 511.
- Decide before you get to the door: If you are not willing to comply with a search, do not attempt to enter. Refusing can end your visit before it begins.
Even if you follow every "what to bring" rule, you still need to be approved to visit. You can only see an inmate if they've put you on their approved visiting list and you've been cleared by the BOP. For most people, that clearance process means completing a visitor questionnaire and release form so institution officials can run a background check before granting visiting privileges.
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