USP Canaan

To visit USP Canaan, you must be on the inmate's approved visiting list and cleared through the Bureau's visitor-authorization process. Prospective visitors complete and return the BP‑A0629 visitor questionnaire and release to the institution—this authorizes criminal-record checks and warns that false statements can carry federal penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001. Just arrived or transferred? If a visiting list isn't established yet, immediate family members verified by the inmate's Pre‑Sentence Report may be allowed to visit. By entering Bureau grounds, you consent to searches under Bureau policy and 28 C.F.R. Part 511. Prohibited items include phones, cameras, weapons, drugs, and currency. Staff set visiting schedules, and visits can be limited or denied for security or disciplinary reasons. Inmates are entitled to at least four hours of visiting time per month. You'll need to arrange your own transportation.

Inmates at USP Canaan have telephone privileges to stay connected with family and other outside contacts, but the facility doesn't allow third-party or alternative call arrangements. Every inmate phone has a posted notice: calls are monitored. In certain circumstances, calls to attorneys can be unmonitored. Many families combine phone calls with video visits, electronic messaging, and written mail to stay in touch—though the exact options and day-to-day rules vary by facility and vendor. For security, calls and messages are generally screened, while attorney communications may be handled differently depending on the situation. If video visits or electronic messaging are available, you'll typically need to create an account with the approved vendor, accept the online terms, and schedule your session before using the service.

USP Canaan classifies inmate mail as either general or special. General correspondence gets opened and inspected for contraband and content under facility rules. Special mail is handled differently—it can only be opened under restricted procedures. Packages from home are generally not allowed unless you have prior written approval. Limited exceptions include release clothing and authorized medical devices, which may be accepted with approval. To avoid delays: include the inmate's full name and ID number, add your complete return name and address, send one letter per envelope, and skip prohibited enclosures. Some systems scan incoming mail and provide copies instead of originals, so confirm how physical items are processed before sending photos or publications.

USP Canaan accepts MoneyGram ExpressPayment for adding funds to an inmate's trust/commissary account. You'll need to follow MoneyGram's required fields exactly and include the facility receive code 7932 in the beneficiary/company section. Online MoneyGram payments require a Visa or MasterCard. Timing matters: transfers sent between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. EST typically post within 2–4 hours. Send it after 9:00 p.m.? It posts the next morning at 7:00 a.m. EST. You can pay through the MoneyGram website, app, or an agent location. Double-check the sample form fields—especially your name and the inmate's committed/full name—to avoid delays.