What You Can (and Absolutely Cannot) Pack in a Release Clothing Box for FCI Waseca
FCI Waseca keeps release clothing packages tight and specific. Use the list below to pack exactly what's allowed, avoid the common "extras" that get rejected, and prevent surprise return-postage costs.
At FCI Waseca, "release clothing" means a very specific, limited set of items. Getting the right types isn't enough. You also need to stay within exact counts. The allowed items: two pairs of pants, two shirts, one jacket, one pair of shoes, and three sets of underclothes. You can also include one bag (gym bag, backpack, or small carry-on style suitcase), but only one.
- ✓ 2 pairs of pants
- ✓ 2 shirts
- ✓ 1 jacket
- ✓ 1 pair of shoes
- ✓ 3 sets of underclothes
- ✓ 1 bag (gym bag, backpack, or small carry-on style suitcase)
Prohibited Items
- ✓ Electronic devices
- ✓ Money
- ✓ Credit cards
- ✓ Gift cards
- ✓ Letters or notes
- ✓ Phone cards
- ✓ Jewelry
- ✓ Blankets
- ✓ Pillows
- ✓ Towels
- ✓ Pajamas (PJ’s)
- ✓ Food items
- ✓ Books
- ✓ Magazines
Warning: Adding prohibited items "just in case" can backfire. The facility can refuse to issue the entire package as release clothing.
FCI Waseca also caps value. No single release clothing item should be worth more than $100.00. Keep that per-item limit in mind when choosing shoes, a jacket, or a bag.
Plan your shipping method before you order. Release clothing must be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. FCI Waseca does not accept packages sent through private carriers or courier companies, and items cannot be hand delivered.
If the package includes any unauthorized items, the facility can refuse to issue it. On top of that, the inmate gets charged the cost of mailing those items back to the sender. A careful "final pass" before sealing the box is well worth the effort.
Heads up: The package must follow the single-source, single-shipment, single-box rule. Splitting items across multiple boxes or sources and ending up with unauthorized contents can trigger the same non-issuance and return-postage outcome.
FCI Waseca requires release clothing to come from a single source, in a single shipment, packaged in a single box. Don't mix orders from different places, and don't send a "second box" of extras.
Timing matters. FCI Waseca only accepts release clothing up to 30 days before the inmate's GCT/FT release date or transfer to an RRC. The package still has to arrive the right way: mailed through the U.S. Postal Service, not through a private carrier or courier, and not hand delivered.
Travel note: If flying with release clothing, all bags and items must conform to FFA guidelines.
Pre Shipping Checklist
- ✓ Confirm the inmate contacted her Correctional Counselor 45 days before release to get an Authorization to Receive Package Request form
- ✓ Ship within the acceptance window (no more than 30 days prior to GCT/FT release date or transfer to an RRC)
- ✓ Use one source only for all items
- ✓ Send everything in one shipment
- ✓ Pack everything in one box
- ✓ Include only: 2 pairs of pants
- ✓ Include only: 2 shirts
- ✓ Include only: 1 jacket
- ✓ Include only: 1 pair of shoes
- ✓ Include only: 3 sets of underclothes
- ✓ Include only one bag (gym bag, backpack, or small carry-on style suitcase)
- ✓ Check value: no single item over $100.00
- ✓ Mail through the U.S. Postal Service (no private carrier or courier, no hand delivery)
- ✓ Double-check that none of these are included: electronics, money, credit cards, gift cards, letters/notes, phone cards, jewelry, blankets, pillows, towels, PJ’s, food items, books, magazines
Final tip: If unauthorized items are included, the package may not be issued, and the inmate can be charged the cost to mail those items back to the sender.
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