What You Can't Bring When Visiting USP Big Sandy
Show up with the wrong item—or the wrong outfit—and you can lose your visit before it starts. Here's what to leave at home and what to expect from screening.
Expect a security check before you enter USP Big Sandy. Under Bureau of Prisons policy and federal regulations (28 C.F.R. Part 511), stepping onto Bureau grounds - or even attempting to - means you consent to searches. That includes you, your belongings, and your vehicle. Pack light and leave anything questionable behind.
Note: Refuse a search and staff can turn you away. Review the facility's current visiting rules before your trip so nothing catches you off guard.
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- ✓ Weapons or explosives - this includes anything that could be treated as a weapon, as well as explosive items.
- ✓ Drugs or intoxicants - don’t bring any illegal substances or anything that could be considered an intoxicant.
- ✓ Currency - leave cash and other currency out of your pockets and bags before you arrive.
- ✓ Cameras and electronics - cameras of any type, recording equipment, telephones, radios, pagers, and other electronic devices are prohibited. The safest move is to leave them at home or secured in your vehicle (when allowed).
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- ✓ Revealing shorts - if they’re short or tight enough to be considered revealing, expect pushback.
- ✓ Bathing suits - even if you’re layering, these are not permitted.
- ✓ See-through garments of any type - if it’s sheer or transparent under normal lighting, don’t wear it.
Skip anything that resembles inmate clothing - khaki or green military-style outfits are common culprits. An outfit that feels normal to you can still get denied at the visiting room. When in doubt, pick the more conservative, clearly civilian-looking option.
Screening at USP Big Sandy can happen before you enter and while you're on Bureau property. Staff may search you, your bags, jackets, coats - even your vehicle and anything inside it. Since consent is implied the moment you enter (or try to), arrive "cleared": empty your pockets, skip extra bags, and don't leave anything in the car you wouldn't want found.
Warning: Refuse a search and you won't get in. Cooperate with screening and follow staff instructions if you want the visit to happen.
- Empty your pockets and bag - don’t bring currency, drugs/intoxicants, or anything that could be treated as a weapon or explosive.
- Leave electronics behind - phones, cameras, recording equipment, radios, pagers, and other electronic devices shouldn’t come inside.
- Do a quick vehicle check - since vehicles and containers in vehicles can be searched, remove anything prohibited before you get to the grounds.
- ✓ Skip revealing shorts.
- ✓ Don’t wear bathing suits.
- ✓ Avoid see-through garments of any type.
- ✓ Don’t wear clothing that looks like inmate clothing (including khaki or green military-type clothing).
Local rules can add extra restrictions, and enforcement tends to be strict. The baseline: entering or attempting to enter USP Big Sandy means you consent to searches of your person, belongings, and vehicle under BOP policy and 28 C.F.R. Part 511. Refuse, and staff can deny entry. Check the current visiting policy before you travel - it could save you a long drive and a missed visit.
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