Understanding Your Rights as a Visitor at FDC Houston
Visiting someone at FDC Houston goes smoother when you understand what you're agreeing to before you walk through the door. Here's what
When you enter or even attempt to enter Bureau grounds or facilities (including FDC Houston), you’re treated as giving consent to be searched under Bureau policy and federal regulations in 28 C.F.R. Part 511. In plain terms: walking onto the property is your agreement to screening and searches as staff require. If you refuse to be searched, you can be prohibited from entering Bureau grounds or facilities, which usually means your visit won’t happen that day.
On Bureau grounds, certain objects are prohibited even if you didn’t plan to use them. The prohibited list includes weapons and explosives, drugs and intoxicants, and currency. It also includes cameras of any type, recording equipment, telephones, radios, pagers, electronic devices, and any other objects that violate criminal laws or are prohibited by federal regulations or Bureau policies. Bringing these items can get you denied entry, and depending on what it is, it can also create exposure to criminal consequences - so it’s worth doing a careful pocket-and-bag check before you leave your car.
- ✓ Weapons
- ✓ Explosives
- ✓ Drugs
- ✓ Intoxicants
- ✓ Currency
- ✓ Cameras of any type
- ✓ Recording equipment
- ✓ Telephones (any type)
- ✓ Radios
- ✓ Pagers
- ✓ Electronic devices
- ✓ Any other objects prohibited by federal regulations or Bureau policies, or that violate criminal laws
If you’re carrying medication, plan ahead. All types of medication you bring must be listed, and it must be left at the entry area when you enter the visiting area. That means you shouldn’t assume you can keep it on you during the visit - build in time at check-in to declare it and follow staff instructions about where it needs to stay.
Warning: The visitor form states that making a false statement can result in a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both (18 U.S.C. § 1001).
- Assume you’ll be searched - entering or attempting to enter Bureau grounds counts as consent to search under Bureau policy and 28 C.F.R. Part 511.
- Decide whether you’re willing to comply - if you refuse to be searched, you may be prohibited from entering, which can end your visit before it starts.
- Do a “prohibited items” sweep before you approach the entrance - don’t bring weapons, explosives, drugs, intoxicants, currency, or electronics like phones, cameras, or recording devices onto Bureau grounds.
- Declare medications at check-in - list all medication you’re carrying and be ready to leave it at the entry area when you enter the visiting area.
- Answer visitor forms carefully and honestly - treat every question as a legal document, not a casual checklist.
Tip: Before you sign, reread your answers - false statements on the visitor form can carry serious criminal penalties (fine up to $250,000, up to five years in prison, or both).
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