How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at USP Atwater: Step-by-Step
Getting approved to visit at USP Atwater starts before you ever plan the trip. You need to be on the inmate's approved visiting list and cleared by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) before you can walk through the door.
At USP Atwater, you can't show up and "sign up" at the door. You must be placed on the inmate's approved visiting list, and you must be cleared by the BOP before any visit can happen. If either piece is missing, you'll be turned away, even if you traveled hours to get there. Treat approval as the real first step.
Note: USP Atwater advises visitors to review BOP visiting regulations and any applicable state and local travel advisories before planning a visit.
The process starts on the inside. The inmate needs to request the Visitor Information form and send it to you (and any other potential visitors, like friends or family) to fill out.
Once you receive the Visitor Information form, fill it out completely and accurately. This is how you provide identifying and background information so the BOP can review you for approval. BOP staff use what you submit to run background investigations and decide whether you're suitable to enter the facility as a visitor.
Warning: The Visitor Information form includes a federal warning about false statements. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, making false statements can result in criminal penalties.
After you complete the form, mail it back to the institution address listed on the form. That's how the BOP routes your paperwork for review.
Once the institution receives your form, the BOP runs background investigations and makes a suitability decision. Being "on the list" on paper isn't enough. You also have to be cleared before you can actually visit.
Leave out required information and your request can stall. The form explains that processing may be suspended, with no further consideration, until the missing information is supplied. Double-check that every section is complete before you mail it.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Make a copy (or take clear photos) of the completed Visitor Information form before you mail it.
- ✓ Use the institution address printed on the form and confirm you are sending it exactly where the form directs.
- ✓ If approval seems delayed, follow up with the institution using the contact information provided for the facility.
Even after you're approved, confirm the visiting schedule before you leave home. USP Atwater notes that visiting hours may not cover every situation. Inmates in special housing units usually have a modified schedule, and the Warden can restrict or cancel visiting for safety, security, or severe weather. Call the facility to confirm before you go: 603-342-4000.
Find an Inmate at USP Atwater
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
