Before You Drive to FCI Hazelton: Visiting-Day Checklist (Call First, What to Wear, and What to Expect)
A little prep saves you a wasted drive. Use this checklist to confirm the schedule, dress right, and know what to expect once you're inside.
FCI Hazelton welcomes visitors, but the Bureau of Prisons expects you to check the rules before you travel. Review the visiting regulations and keep an eye on any state or local travel advisories - you don't want a last-minute change to catch you off guard.
- ✓ Call FCI Hazelton before you leave to confirm the visiting schedule: 603-342-4000.
Tip: Schedules shift, and inmates in special housing often have different visiting windows. A quick phone call confirms both the general hours and any situation-specific limits.
The posted visiting hours are the typical schedule, but they don't apply to everyone. The biggest exception? Special housing. If someone is in a special housing unit, their visiting hours are often modified - sometimes drastically different from what's listed.
Plan ahead: If the person you're visiting might be in special housing, call the facility at 603-342-4000 before making the drive. Confirm their schedule is what you expect.
Clothing is one of the easiest ways to get turned away at the door. At FCI Hazelton - like all BOP facilities - anything provocative or revealing can result in a denied visit. Don't risk it.
- ✓ Revealing shorts
- ✓ Halter tops
- ✓ Bathing suits
- ✓ See-through garments (of any type)
- ✓ Crop tops
- ✓ Low-cut blouses or dresses
- ✓ Leotards
- ✓ Spandex
- ✓ Miniskirts
- ✓ Backless tops
- ✓ Hats or caps
- ✓ Sleeveless garments
- ✓ Skirts or dresses two inches or more above the knee
Dress tip: Even something that seems minor can get you turned away. When in doubt, go conservative and stick to the facility's visiting policy.
Expect limited contact. Handshakes, hugs, and a brief kiss (kept appropriate) are typically allowed when you greet each other and again when you say goodbye.
Note: Staff can limit contact for security reasons. Follow the visiting room officer's direction, even if enforcement varies from one visit to the next.
There's a protected minimum: inmates are entitled to at least four hours of visiting time per month. Many facilities offer more, but that's the floor.
Keep expectations flexible: The Warden can shorten visits or limit how many visitors come at once to manage crowding. Modified schedules - including special housing rules - can also affect your visit.
Day of Visit Checklist
- ✓ A valid government-issued photo ID
- ✓ The inmate’s BOP register number in this format: #####-###
- ✓ A quick review of the visiting regulations and any state/local travel advisories before you hit the road
- Confirm the schedule before you drive - Call 603-342-4000 to verify the visiting schedule the same day you plan to go.
- Double-check the basics before you leave - Make sure you have your photo ID and the inmate’s register number (#####-###).
- If something doesn’t line up, ask before you commit to the trip - A quick phone call can clarify whether the “typical” hours apply or whether there are special circumstances affecting visits.
Quick reminders: Dress conservatively - revealing clothing gets you denied. Expect only brief, appropriate contact at hello and goodbye.
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